The story of the novel "Octopus" is unusual. We are used to the fact that plays, movies, and television series are born on the basis of popular books. In this case, the literary work originated as a novel version of the acclaimed not only in Italy, but also far beyond its borders, the television series La Piovra ("Octopus") based on the plot of the famous screenwriter Ennio De Concini. The novel gives millions of viewers the opportunity to restore and retain in their memory the events and characters that flashed on the screen, to understand the complex intricacies of the struggle waged by the indefatigable Commissioner Cattani against the all-powerful "octopus" of corruption. The author of this novelization is the Italian writer and journalist Marco Neze, the Rome correspondent of the influential Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera. He also collaborated with RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana — Italian public broadcasting company) and the American NBC. In addition to Octopus, he wrote several nonfiction and fiction books, including the study "Under the Sign of the Mafia." Neze slightly changed the basic scenario, gave the work the character of a literary narrative, rearranged some accents, deepened psychological characteristics, and paid more attention to the events of Commissioner Cattani's personal life.