CONVERSATIONS WITH AN OCTOPUS
by Rebecca Smith

 

Diana Parks is a beautician with a temper, and she’s not the only member of Ottersea WI who’s had enough of bullies and slimeballs. When the body of lecherous landlord, Raj Sumal, washes up on the beach, it’s up to Detectives Jim Paddon and Grace Brown to solve the mystery. They start to suspect Raj’s wife, Sukhi, who likes walking on the cliffs.

Meanwhile, at Ottersea Oceanworld, Jane the Octopus hears people’s secrets and understands everything during a sweltering summer of strange deaths, new friendships, and a whole lot of ice cream.

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​'Mysterious deaths, an intuitive octopus, and colourful characters in a Devonshire seaside town, make this an unmissable read.' Tamar Hodes

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​'As deliciously satisfying as a 99 cone, this is your new favourite summer read.' M H Eccleston

 

'A whimsical and amusing read with a great cast of characters' Faith Martin

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‘Utterly addictive from the first page, this is cosy crime with a bite.’ Jonathan Whitelaw

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‘A simmering fusion of subversive wit, female rage and seaside humour – all encasing an unexplained murder… a perfect summer read, a triumph of tone and timing and a delight from start to finish.’ Christie Hickman

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'Murder, intrigue, the British seaside, and one very charismatic octopus – what a brilliant combination. Rebecca Smith writes with warmth, wonder and a wicked sense of humour. I can’t think of a more perfect book for the beach.' Toby Litt

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‘Wickedly subversive, sneakily funny, and then surprisingly moving’ Carole Burns

‘A brilliantly witty mash-up of modern manners, seaside farce and a little casual murder. Smith's signature sharp eye for telling detail and wickedly well-observed situations goes into comic overdrive here - along with delicious subplots as slippery as a cephalopod's eight arms.’ Philip Hoare