Remarkably Bright Creatures is a debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt that tells the heartwarming story of Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old widow working the night shift cleaning at the Sowell Bay Aquarium in Washington. After losing her husband and still grieving the mysterious disappearance of her 18-year-old son Erik over 30 years ago, Tova finds solace in keeping busy. She forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a remarkably intelligent giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who observes humans with witty, curmudgeonly insights.

Marcellus, nearing the end of his four-year life span, possesses more knowledge than anyone can imagine. Ever the detective, he deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared and must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to help her uncover the truth before it's too late. The story also follows Cameron Cassmore, a 30-year-old man searching for the father he never knew, whose path intersects with Tova and Marcellus in unexpected ways.

This exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope has captivated over 1.2 million readers on Goodreads with a 4.36-star rating. The book was featured on Read With Jenna and PBS Books Readers Club lists, and was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards for Readers' Favorite Fiction and Best Debut Novel in 2022. Readers praise its masterful pacing, emotional depth, charming storytelling, and the unforgettable character of Marcellus, whose perspective adds humor and wisdom to this gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. The hardcover edition features 302 pages and was published by Ecco/HarperCollins in May 2022.