For tourists, the London Eye is a central attraction, and thousands queue every day to obtain a panoramic view of the city. But for Kevin, a homeless man living on the river embankment in the shadow of the London Eye, viewing its fairy-like lights through the branches from his home in Cardboard City, it is a symbol of his life going round and round and getting nowhere.
The novel provides an insight into the injustices in the lives of the homeless. Kevin befriends Jock, who has an alcohol problem. They are joined by Mahmud, a boy who has run away from home, and Monika, a frightened, young East European girl who was the victim of a human-trafficking ring and suddenly goes missing.
Kevin visits “The Shelter”, which supplies food and some basic comforts for the homeless. He meets Kate, a full-time teacher who does voluntary work in “The Shelter”. She sees something special in Kevin and wants to learn more about his background but is bound by the rules of “The Shelter”. The story has many layers; homelessness, depression, dependency, general disaffection, racism, human trafficking, murder, and mystery. The focus is on Kevin, but lurking in the shadows is a dark, mysterious character who is watching his every move. This is a book about loss and love, but this sinister character in the background will do all he can to ruin Kevin’s happiness
