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The Watchers: A Mystery at Alton Towers
Tired of living at the Kirby House orphanage, Katy and Josh run away to Alton Towers, a castle turned amusement park, but their hideout becomes the center of a battle between the universal forces of good and evil.
- GenresChildrens
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 1993
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Helen Cresswell
148 books58 followersHelen Cresswell (1934–2005) was an English television scriptwriter and author of more than 100 children's books, best known for comedy and supernatural fiction. Her most popular book series, Lizzie Dripping and The Bagthorpe Saga, were also the basis for television series.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 30, 2019
One of my favourite childhood books, recently unearthed from the loft.
July 21, 2022
Okay so I know this is a kids’ book and it definitely shouldn’t have taken me two days to finish, but good lord it was draggy.
I read this because I just love Alton Towers and especially (!) the history of the place as a theme park. So I thought there’d be loads of vintage things to love, especially with the focus on the Black Hole.
But these kids might as well have been anywhere else. They spend most of the book in the gardens describing squirrels and trees. The way they talk is nonsensical. And then there’s the most boring, random plot that has absolutely no bearing on the setting, and an open ending that made me want to scream.
I just wanted more mention of the rides! Katy goes briefly into the entrance of the Haunted House (now Duel) and leaves again. She mentions getting bored of her ‘favourite’ rides but never says what they are. Why set it at a specific theme park if it has no bearing on anything? Why not just invent a generic one? Tell me about the Corkscrew and Doom & Sons and the Thunder Looper!
I did enjoy the references to the rides I know by their old names, that was fun. But the rest was sooo rubbish and I think if I’d actually read this as a child I would have given up.
I read this because I just love Alton Towers and especially (!) the history of the place as a theme park. So I thought there’d be loads of vintage things to love, especially with the focus on the Black Hole.
But these kids might as well have been anywhere else. They spend most of the book in the gardens describing squirrels and trees. The way they talk is nonsensical. And then there’s the most boring, random plot that has absolutely no bearing on the setting, and an open ending that made me want to scream.
I just wanted more mention of the rides! Katy goes briefly into the entrance of the Haunted House (now Duel) and leaves again. She mentions getting bored of her ‘favourite’ rides but never says what they are. Why set it at a specific theme park if it has no bearing on anything? Why not just invent a generic one? Tell me about the Corkscrew and Doom & Sons and the Thunder Looper!
I did enjoy the references to the rides I know by their old names, that was fun. But the rest was sooo rubbish and I think if I’d actually read this as a child I would have given up.
January 2, 2023
Very much enjoyed this book & have re read a good few times now…
Alton Towers is sort of a second home to me and the history of the estate has been something that I’ve so passionately researched for years. This book was written during the ‘90s so consequently, mentions a lot of retired attractions which gives it a nice hint of nostalgia (I particularly enjoyed the map at the beginning too.) If you are unfamiliar with Alton Towers, a huge percentage of the resort is a sprawling garden covering a large valley due to the fact that the land the theme park sits on was once simply, a country estate which makes the place so fabulously unique. I like how this was incorporated so heavily into the book so you can really tell where it’s set. Whilst you don’t need to know anything about the park to enjoy this book, you can tell the author put her research in basing characters off of local legend & the blind harpist who notably lived in a cottage in the gardens and used to play for the family who occupied the estate.
In conclusion, whether it was in child or adulthood, we’ve all dreamt of running away and staying the night at a theme park which I think is exactly why this book hit the spot for me. Short & sweet, overall a lovely book with a fun plot.
Alton Towers is sort of a second home to me and the history of the estate has been something that I’ve so passionately researched for years. This book was written during the ‘90s so consequently, mentions a lot of retired attractions which gives it a nice hint of nostalgia (I particularly enjoyed the map at the beginning too.) If you are unfamiliar with Alton Towers, a huge percentage of the resort is a sprawling garden covering a large valley due to the fact that the land the theme park sits on was once simply, a country estate which makes the place so fabulously unique. I like how this was incorporated so heavily into the book so you can really tell where it’s set. Whilst you don’t need to know anything about the park to enjoy this book, you can tell the author put her research in basing characters off of local legend & the blind harpist who notably lived in a cottage in the gardens and used to play for the family who occupied the estate.
In conclusion, whether it was in child or adulthood, we’ve all dreamt of running away and staying the night at a theme park which I think is exactly why this book hit the spot for me. Short & sweet, overall a lovely book with a fun plot.
October 3, 2019
Wow. All of a sudden I'm 9 years old again. Alton Towers has always been a magical place for me and this brought back fond memories of when the Haunted House opened and going on the corkscrew and Black Hole for the first time. I love how Helen Cresswell used characters from local legends in the story. So thatOld Mother Alton is based on the beggar in the Chained oak legend (the ride Hex) and Quantum is based on the blind harpist that the Talbot family built the swiss cottage for. A great mystery set in my favourite place and I will be passing this onto my niece as it's perfect for an 8 year old
October 2, 2024
This book reminded me of Moondial at the start, and the first half was definitely perfect Cresswell, but I got a bit confused towards the end. I'm still glad I read it, and it's probably a me-problem, but this will never join my list of favourites (not least because Cresswell is such a brilliant and prolific author that she has others to be my favourite).
November 26, 2018
I enjoyed this the first and second time I read it; although aimed at a YA audience, it has enough mystery to keep an adult entertained if they enjoy that type of read.
July 15, 2014
The plot of this entertaining read is very similar to StonestruckStonestruck, by the same author. Both feature displaced and socially alienated children facing threats supernatural and real; both have a strong sense of place and both have a slightly contrived means of vanquishing evil at the end. It lacks Stonestruck's chilling atmosphere and recreation of the London Blitz, and for that reason I would give it a slightly lower rating, but the surprisingly dark ending almost makes up for it.
November 6, 2014
A very enjoyable read with enough mystery to intrigue interest and encourage the reader to want to find out more. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Alton Towers many children will be able to relate to this story. A good read if perhaps aided by an adult or it could be used during story time in the class by the teacher narrating the story to the whole class.
January 13, 2016
Read and Re-read this. First heard this in Year 6 I think, and was captivated! It's now one of my childhood books I have had to keep for when I have my own children. Mixes the known world of Alton Towers with a bit of the supernatural.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews