The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

In this charming debut, Emma Knight brings to life a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story set against the picturesque backdrop of Edinburgh.

We follow a young Canadian woman named Penelope “Pen” Winters, who for years has suspected her divorced parents of hiding something from her. When she arrives at her father’s alma mater for her first year of university, she writes to an old friend of his, Elliot Lennox, in hopes of finding out the truth.

Elliot, a renowned mystery novelist, responds and invites Pen to spend the weekend at his estate in Stonehaven. There she meets his family and is embraced like a member of the clan. Over time, Pen’s relationship with the Lennox’s deepens, leading her to uncover threads of her own family history. 

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a wonderful mood boosting novel about newfound independence, evolving friendships and unexpected connections.

Emma Knight by Caitlin Cronenberg

Emma Knight is Co-Founder and Head of Brand at Greenhouse, an award-winning Canadian organic beverage company. Emma is a co-author of The Greenhouse Cookbook (2017), a national bestseller. Her work has appeared in a number of Canadian and international publications. Emma lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

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