Conversations with an Octopus: Calm Waters Conceal Dark Secrets

An addictive and cozy crime novel about female rage 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.

Rebecca Smith was born in London and grew up in rural Surrey. She studied History at the University of Southampton and is now a principal teaching fellow in English and Creative Writing there. She is the author of four previous novels for adults, a novel for children, two works of nonfiction and a text for a picture book. Rebecca is one of Jane Austen’s five times great nieces, and Conversations With An Octopus takes inspiration from Sanditon. She has Indian, English and Scottish heritage and often draws on this in her work.