The absurdity of this book is what makes it so much fun to read. I've read a couple of Macaulay's other books and this one is on track with the others and I certainly mean that as a compliment. A short, quick, fun adventure into the depths of a ludicrous ocean full of self-loathing, defeatism, and going with the flow. Super fun.

The United Commission of Planets sends an ambassador on a first encounter mission, to mostly infer the nature of Crustacea’s citizenry. An unenviable position given to Pilsen, a political louse. His single human companion on this excursion is war veteran and captain, Zip, who has seen far too many fights with giant bugs to really want much to do with this mission. But hey, it pays.
They meet up with Crustacea’s crab representative, Huron, and her not-shrimpy shrimp aid, Tom. But things go awry when the lobsters revolt.
Macaulay writes it very straight, despite how absurdist the concept sounds. The crabs got smart and big, and can communicate. Just go with it. Familiar in their humanity and their biology, alien in everything else. The cravings for crab legs and garlic butter diminish as the story goes on, once the denizens of Crustacea are formally introduced. Engaging, interesting read.
Highly recommended, and readable in a single sitting. Inexpensive and more satisfying than any experience at Red Lobster will ever be.