Siobhan Dowd's The London Eye Mystery is lauded for its engaging narrative and unique protagonist with learning differences, offering a fresh perspective in the mystery genre. Critics praise its clever plot and emotional depth, though some mention that the pacing can be slow at times. Overall, it's a compelling read with a meaningful message for young readers.

Readers who relish quirky, intelligent protagonists and enjoy solving puzzles with a hint of mystery will love The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. Fans of Enola Holmes and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will find this engaging and heartwarming story particularly appealing.

In The London Eye Mystery, Ted Spark and his sister Kat team up to uncover the mystery of their cousin Salim's disappearance during a ride on the London Eye Ferris wheel, despite initial difficulties and diverse theories about what happened. The book implicitly discusses autism and uses the term "high-functioning" to describe Ted's place on the spectrum.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Challenging / Emotional / Contemplative

- The London Eye Mystery was recognized with the NASEN/TES Special Educational Needs Children's Book Award, reflecting its impactful portrayal of neurodiversity.
- The book was published posthumously as Siobhan Dowd sadly passed away before it was released, adding a poignant layer to its legacy.
- The story is partly inspired by Dowd's own experiences growing up in London, even though the plot is purely fictional.

**Ted Spark**  
The twelve-year-old protagonist with a brilliant mind, who struggles with interpreting social cues but uses his intelligence to solve mysteries.

**Kat Spark**  
Ted's older sister, who is outgoing and brash, often clashing with Ted due to her impatient nature but learns to appreciate his intelligence.

**Gloria**  
Ted's aunt, whose enthusiastic personality and emotional reactions are intensified by her distress over her son's disappearance.

**Salim**  
A thoughtful and smart 13-year-old who goes missing after an adventure on the London Eye, leading to a crisis for his family.

**Ben and Faith Spark**  
Ted's parents, who work as a demolition expert and nurse, respectively, and are caught up in family tensions but eventually recognize Ted's contributions.

**Detective Inspector Pearce**  
The police officer who oversees the investigation into Salim's disappearance and values Ted's unique insights.

**Christy and Marcus Flood**  
Brothers who are inadvertently involved in Salim's disappearance, with Marcus being Salim's best friend and motivator in his actions.

**Mr. Shepherd**  
Ted's teacher, who gives him strategies to better understand social cues and supports his personal development.

Siobhan Dowd

Middle grade

Novel

London Eye Mystery

Fiction

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