MANY THINGS UNDER A ROCK The Mysteries of Octopuses

As this audiobook begins, David Stifel depicts a scene in which the author watches an octopus disappear into kelp, still visible though camouflaged. Scheel brings both personal experiences such as this one and his knowledge from 25 years of study to his writing on these creatures, which Alaskan Natives call "many things under a rock." Stifel has a touch of gravel in his voice, which softens when he describes the invertebrates holding hands and other details that hint at their inner lives. Stifel can also do a play-by-play of an octopus's battle with a moray eel and give a calm description of the mollusks' detachable arms. Stifel sounds discouraged as he tells listeners of rising ocean temperatures. Scheel shares both information and his own fascination for these amazing animals. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]