A five-star mystery now in paperback!
Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim board the London Eye, but after half an hour it landed a... read full description
Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim board the London Eye, but after half an hour it landed a... read full description
reviews
Mar 07, 2008
Gwen the Librarian
rated it: 
This is just an indescribably fabulous novel. Ted has a different brain from other people - he says he runs on a different operating system. When a cousin comes to visit and then disappears, it's up to Ted and his sister Kat to solve the mystery since none of the adults will listen to their clues. Using the art of deduction and his unusal way of looking at the world, Ted discovers clues to the whereabouts of his cousin that no one else observed.
What I love about this novel is th More...
What I love about this novel is th More...
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Sep 29, 2008
Waller
rated it: 
Is it just me, or does this read like a slightly warmed-over *Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime*. The disappearance of a kid from a closed capsule on the London Eye is an intriguing mystery, but the only possible solutions pretty quickly close down to two, and the solving of the mystery seemed slightly anticlimactic. The novel also violates a principle that would have adult mystery fans howling - the key clue to the mystery is not available to the reader.
Most crucially More...
Most crucially More...
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May 15, 2008
Edie
rated it:
I am not a big fan of books that try to get into the minds of people who don't think in the "normal" way (whatever that is) because I feel that the author might not get it right and give a false representation of that unusual way of thinking, or else give others the sense that their depiction is the way it is for everyone who thinks differently in that manner (I don't think I am being very articulate). And this book makes me uncomfortable along those lines. Also, the cataloger places
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 29, 2008
Judith
rated it:
A reasonably good mystery for younger readers, but I found the characterisation of the Asperger's protagonist/narrator inconsistent and not always believable.
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Dec 22, 2011
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Good young adult and middle grade mysteries are sometimes hard to come by. THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY by Siobhan Dowd is one you won't want to miss.
It all starts when Ted's cousin, Salim, comes to visit. Salim and his mother are about to move to New York City and have planned a family visit in London before their departure. Of course, what is a visit to London without a ride on the London Eye? That's w More...
Good young adult and middle grade mysteries are sometimes hard to come by. THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY by Siobhan Dowd is one you won't want to miss.
It all starts when Ted's cousin, Salim, comes to visit. Salim and his mother are about to move to New York City and have planned a family visit in London before their departure. Of course, what is a visit to London without a ride on the London Eye? That's w More...
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Jul 14, 2008
KT
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When I first read a synopsis of this book, it sounded like a rip-off of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, so I put off reading it for a long time. I finally got to this past weekend and found that, while it does have some obvious similarities, the mystery itself is so distinctive and so compelling that I found myself enjoying it, just for that element.
Sometimes I thought that Ted, the main character with Asperger's Syndrome, was a bit too self-aware and explained hi More...
Sometimes I thought that Ted, the main character with Asperger's Syndrome, was a bit too self-aware and explained hi More...
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Jul 29, 2008
Jamie
rated it:
Agreeing with those who said it's a bit reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, although for a younger audience. It is a fast paced story, and I think the audience will enjoy solving the mystery with the kids, although I'm not sure they have the clues to do so as much as they can follow along?
My peeve with the book is in its shape, and this is my new peeve. This is not a 400 page book, but the trim size is so small it makes it seem long. Its not pleasurable More...
My peeve with the book is in its shape, and this is my new peeve. This is not a 400 page book, but the trim size is so small it makes it seem long. Its not pleasurable More...
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Mar 06, 2009
Samantha
rated it:
I really loved The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. The story is narrated by Ted, a pre-teen boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Or as Ted himself puts it, he has a brain "that runs on a different operating system." It all starts when Ted's Aunt Gloria and her son Salim come to visit. They haven't seen these relations in years and right after their visit Salim and Aunt Gloria are going to move to New York City. On a day of sight seeing in London Ted and Kat (his older sister who is usuall
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Jul 07, 2008
Roseann
rated it:
This charming book about a "special" boy who solves the mystery of his missing cousin before the police do is perfect for the tween or young teen looking for something a little out of the ordinary, yet a mystery, yet easy to read and relatively fast-paced. It takes place in London and revolves around the Eye, which is not a ferris wheel, as the narrator explains.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its narrative style, it's simplicity and its neatness. Highly recommended for kids o
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its narrative style, it's simplicity and its neatness. Highly recommended for kids o
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Jan 30, 2012
Kribu
rated it:
The London Eye Mystery is a decent little mystery for kids - a boy goes missing between boarding the London Eye and getting off - but that's not really what sets this book apart from others. It's the narrator, a 12-year-old boy Ted, who does that.
I found the beginning a little slow, and to be honest, at first I found Ted irritating. Slow. I wondered how old he was, to not understand some very basic things such as idiomatic expressions, figures of speech, and so on. It only occurred to More...
I found the beginning a little slow, and to be honest, at first I found Ted irritating. Slow. I wondered how old he was, to not understand some very basic things such as idiomatic expressions, figures of speech, and so on. It only occurred to More...
Nov 06, 2011
Mara
rated it:
I wouldn't say that this was a bad read, but it was a little boring, as far as mysteries go. But I will get to that later. I was expecting Ted to be annoying, but he is a surprisingly likable character. Kat is the annoying one, and I wished several times that she would disappear and never return.
That said - on to the mystery. It was not as involved as I was hoping. The reader does not get the pleasure of solving the case with the characters (though I figured out about half of the answe More...
That said - on to the mystery. It was not as involved as I was hoping. The reader does not get the pleasure of solving the case with the characters (though I figured out about half of the answe More...
Sep 15, 2011
H19magru
rated it:
I thought this was the best book I have ever read. I read this book for summer reading. I started reading and couldn't stop, I read for 5 hours straight. There was not a moment when I was not interested. The book pulled me in from beginning to end. From when Salim disappeared at The London Eye to the breath taking finish. This book has encouraged me to read more novels!
I really liked the teamwork of the brother and sister. I now think my brother and I should work as a te More...
I really liked the teamwork of the brother and sister. I now think my brother and I should work as a te More...
Aug 31, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
This cleverly written thriller chronicles a brother and sister's race against time to track down their younger cousin, who goes missing after accepting a ticket for a ride on the London Eye from a mysterious stranger. Kat and Ted keep their eyes glued to Salim's capsule as he climbs into it, the doors seal shut and it spins across London's skyline. When the capsule opens, however, Salim is nowhere to be seen.
The book is carefully paced and structured with unpredictable twists and turn More...
The book is carefully paced and structured with unpredictable twists and turn More...
Jul 28, 2011
Laura
rated it:
*Starred Review* The facts seem simple enough. While their mothers have coffee, Ted and his older sister, Kat, and their cousin, Salim, wait in a queue to ride the London Eye, an observation wheel that allows those locked in the glass-and-steel capsules to see 25 miles in every direction. A stranger from the front of the line offers one free ticket, and since Salim is the visitor, stopping in London before moving with his mum to New York, he takes it. Ted and Kat see him enter the capsule and fo
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May 16, 2011
Kornela
rated it:
A really fun mystery for children. Ted Spark's brain runs on a different operating system than other people's; he sees things that others miss. This comes in handy when Ted and his older sister Kat are plunged into a strange mystery. While waiting in line to buy tickets for the London Eye, a stranger comes up and offers his ticket to Ted, Kat, and their cousin Salim, who is visiting the Sparks. To avoid the long line, the Sparks let Salim have the ticket, because he's a visitor to London and
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Mar 30, 2011
Marsha
rated it:
I debated between three or four stars and decided to go with four. This is a mystery that is narrated by a high-functioning autistic 11 year old boy named Ted. He lives in London with his older sister, Kat, his mom and his dad. His aunt and cousin, Salim, come to stay with them for a few days before they move to New York, and they decide to ride the London Eye--a type of huge Ferris wheel that takes about a half hour for a full rotation. The moms go get coffee while the kids stand in the long qu
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Jan 26, 2011
Shazzer
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 11, 2010
Remy
rated it:
First of all: I am always afraid, when I get a book on tape, that the narrator will ruin it for me. I have been known to turn off the tape in the middle of the first chapter (or page) because I hate the way the narrator does their job. That being said, about half way through the first chapter of The London Eye Mystery (cue time) I turned to my mom (we were in the car on a twelve-hour car ride) and said "I don't like this narrator". She nodded and said "I hope he loosens up a bit"
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Dec 08, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye Mystery ( 2007)
Ted Sparks, his older sister, Kat, and their mom and dad live in London. They seem like the typical working class family, all except for Ted, who has a “funny brain.” He suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and has problems talking and relating to people. He counts his cereal in the morning, is obsessed by weather patterns, and listens to the shipping channel news as a bedtime ritual. One day a letter comes from Aunt Gloria stating that she is More...
Ted Sparks, his older sister, Kat, and their mom and dad live in London. They seem like the typical working class family, all except for Ted, who has a “funny brain.” He suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and has problems talking and relating to people. He counts his cereal in the morning, is obsessed by weather patterns, and listens to the shipping channel news as a bedtime ritual. One day a letter comes from Aunt Gloria stating that she is More...
Nov 03, 2010
Deborah
rated it:
As a person who is "wired" differently I found "The London Eye Mystery" very inteseting and entertaining. This book was a great read to introducing my grandchildren to how people are different each in their own way. It proves that it is indeed wise to listen to children as what they have to say and should not be dismissed too easily.
Kat and Ted take their cousin Salim to ride the London Eye; a giant ferris wheel with pods that carry groups of visitors. The view of More...
Kat and Ted take their cousin Salim to ride the London Eye; a giant ferris wheel with pods that carry groups of visitors. The view of More...
Aug 03, 2010
Maureen
rated it:
Ted’s Aunt Gloria and cousin Salim are stopping in London to visit on their way to New York to live. While there, Ted, his sister Kate, and Salim set out to go on the London Eye. But due to a mysterious set of circumstances, only Salim ends up going–and when the Eye comes down, he’s not there.
His disappearance threatens to rip the family apart. In the end, it’s up to Ted and Kate to set aside their differences and solve the mystery.
This was a great book. It didn’t sugar-c More...
His disappearance threatens to rip the family apart. In the end, it’s up to Ted and Kate to set aside their differences and solve the mystery.
This was a great book. It didn’t sugar-c More...
Mar 06, 2010
Kapila
rated it:
I listened to this book and finished it in the wee hours of this morning after my melatonin failed to keep me sleeping, notwithstanding the honey bunny watching a movie in bed, and the one cat who came in at 3am looking for lovies, upon which the other cat was overcome by a fit of jealous rage and promptly left the room. Thank Goodness for audiobooks. And ipods.
Okay. So. The London Eye Mystery. Susan Schuler had been telling me about this book for years (well, since 2008 anyway, when s More...
Okay. So. The London Eye Mystery. Susan Schuler had been telling me about this book for years (well, since 2008 anyway, when s More...
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Jan 18, 2010
Pam
rated it:
Ted and his sister are busted. They let their cousin go ride London's largest roller coaster alone and he never came off. How are they going to explain this to their parents and his mother? What happened to their cousin? Through great deductive reasoning that is an Asperger's gift, Ted tries to solve the mystery. His sister, while embarrassed to have to deal with a brother with odd movements and social skills, is the go getter in the family and soon learns to admire her brother and turns hi
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Sep 11, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
Ted and his sister, Kat, watch as their cousin, Salim, boards a sealed pod on the London Eye. Thirty minutes later, the pod returns, but Salim has disappeared.
Ted has eight theories, but no one is listening. No one except, sometimes, his sister, Kat. Each of them is determined to unravel the mystery. Kat, out of guilt. Ted because his brain doesn't work like anyone else's--it runs "on its own unique operating system"--and he's curious to see if that allows him to piece togeth More...
Ted has eight theories, but no one is listening. No one except, sometimes, his sister, Kat. Each of them is determined to unravel the mystery. Kat, out of guilt. Ted because his brain doesn't work like anyone else's--it runs "on its own unique operating system"--and he's curious to see if that allows him to piece togeth More...
Aug 25, 2009
edh
rated it:
Check out others' reviews - I liked this far better than, say, Blue Balliett's mysteries & I think the late Dowd was a wonderful writer. I'm going to put on my nitpicky mystery reader's hat now...
************SPOILERS AND PLOT HOLES AHOY*******************
While the writing was lively & compelling, I was really bothered by the way that cousin Salim disappeared into thin air. His whole plan depended being separated from his mother when getting on the Eye (as his mom would sure More...
************SPOILERS AND PLOT HOLES AHOY*******************
While the writing was lively & compelling, I was really bothered by the way that cousin Salim disappeared into thin air. His whole plan depended being separated from his mother when getting on the Eye (as his mom would sure More...
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Aug 19, 2009
Camille
rated it:
This is a splendid YA mystery that I picked because it was on the Texas Library Association, 2009 Texas Lonestar Reading list. This list continues, year after year, to present the most entertaining page-turners out there.
It took a while for my ear to settle into Paul Chequer's narration but ultimately, his characterization of Ted is successful and engaging.
Ted and his older sister, Kat, wait in line with their cousin, Salim to ride the London Eye. A stranger approaches th More...
It took a while for my ear to settle into Paul Chequer's narration but ultimately, his characterization of Ted is successful and engaging.
Ted and his older sister, Kat, wait in line with their cousin, Salim to ride the London Eye. A stranger approaches th More...
Jul 17, 2009
Terri
rated it:
I feel a theme coming on...this is the second book that I have read very recently with a main character who is on the autism spectrum (I also read "Marcello in the Real World"). And I just read a piece in the latest issue of Newsweek about the books with the best covers ever, and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" was one of the covers/books included on that list! These will be great for book talking! There are several other good books with like characters tha
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Jun 22, 2009
Katie
rated it:
What goes up must come down, so why doesn’t Salim? That is the mystery that Ted and Kat set out to solve when their cousin gets on the London Eye, but does not come off. This mystery novel is wonderfully full of very real characters and suspense. While putting all the clues together, Ted lets the reader into his life to view how different members of his family deal with a very scary situation. Ted’s point of view is also allows the reader to understand “how having a funny brain that runs on
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May 29, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book! It is a bit like a version of >The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime< for kids (upper elementary age). The mystery part is very intriguing, though I'm not the sort to read mysteries in order to try to figure them out. What I liked best were the characters. The main (first person) narrator is a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. As he says it, his brain runs on the different operating system from most of the rest of us. His family treats this mostly pretty
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Apr 03, 2009
Josie
rated it:
The London Eye Mystery
By Siobhan Dowd
Published by David Fickling Books
2007
Fiction: Mystery
The London Eye Mystery is a fun adventure, with twists and turns that kids will enjoy. There are many elements of this mystery story that add together to make a wonderful whole. This book is written by a British author and therefore contains the British spellings and words, like lilo and queue. Rather than being discouraged by this, I think that reading a novel from ac More...
By Siobhan Dowd
Published by David Fickling Books
2007
Fiction: Mystery
The London Eye Mystery is a fun adventure, with twists and turns that kids will enjoy. There are many elements of this mystery story that add together to make a wonderful whole. This book is written by a British author and therefore contains the British spellings and words, like lilo and queue. Rather than being discouraged by this, I think that reading a novel from ac More...
