Remarkably Bright Creatures

★★★★ SHELBY VAN PELT (BLOOMSBURY, £14.99)

Widow Tova sweeps away her grief at the local aquarium. The cleaner knows about loss, as her 18-year-old son went missing 30 years ago. Marcellus is a 60lb octopus who senses Tova’s grief and tries to help her. Cameron is a young man who comes to town looking for his father. Told from all three perspectives – particularly that of dry-witted Marcellus – it’s a charming tale about family, friendship and the connections we make. You can’t help but love our eight-tentacled friend.