Marcellus, the octopus, has great insight into the human world and manages to steer the plot along. On the human side of the novel is Tova Sullivan, a widow and a mother who lost her son, Erik, in an accident or suicide. She is a night janitor at the Sowell Bay (Puget Sound) Aquarium where Marcellus lives.
Then there is Cameron, a thirty-year old, who just can't seem to keep a job. He was raised by his Aunt Jeanne after his mother abandoned him without him ever knowing his father. After losing yet another job and having to find housing, he buys a dilapidated camper and heads north from California to the Puget Sound area in search of his father. He believes that he knows who the man is after finding a picture in a box of mementos given to him by his Aunt.
Once in Sowell Bay, Cameron meets the Ethan Mack, owner of the small grocery store, who helps him with his broken camper and allows him to park on the grounds of the store.He suggests to Cameron that there might be work at the aquarium and Cameron is hired to do some cleaning, where he meets Tova.
Meanwhile, Marcellus becomes involved in the relationship between Tova and Cameron and manages to give some hints to the reader. Pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place as Cameron tracks down the man whom he believes is his father and Tova gets information about her son about which she had been previously unaware.
The ending is a bit predictable, but it doesn't distract from the charm of the book. The characters are well developed and the writing propels the book into an almost page-turner. I did learn that an octopus has 3 hearts - an answer to a Jeopardy question as I was reading the book. One of the reasons we join book clubs is to read beyond our comfort zone. I would never have picked this book up otherwise. It was a delight and a very good read.
