A Dog Called Hero

by Katy Birchall

Interest age: 9 to 14

Published by Scholastic, 2025

  • Adventure
  • Mystery

About this book

The last year has been really tough for Haley since her police detective dad was killed in the line of duty. There are many unanswered questions about what happened and Haley doesn’t know how to talk to anyone about it – until she meets retired police dog Hero. The two of them immediately connect and now Haley and Hero are an inseparable pair. 

Between Hero’s training and the things Haley’s dad taught her about detective work, when the two of them are witnesses to a crime, it’s natural for them to start investigating. A priceless diamond has been stolen from right in front of all the guests at the glamorous party Haley’s mum is catering – and their catering assistant is immediately blamed, despite a lack of any real evidence.  

With an unfriendly detective assigned to the case and her mum’s business in jeopardy, can Haley and Hero figure out how the diamond was stolen and who the real thief is? Tracking down evidence and interviewing the suspects, Haley soon discovers that things are not quite as they first appear…  

A Dog Called Hero brilliantly combines a heartwarming animal storyline with a pacey mystery full of intricate twists and turns. 

About the author

Katy Birchall is the author of The It Girl series. She also works as a freelance journalist. Katy won the 24/7 Theatre Festival Award for Most Promising new Comedy Writer with her very serious play about a ninja monkey at a dinner party. Her pet Labradors are the loves of her life, she is mildly obsessed with Jane Austen, and one day hopes to wake up as an elf in The Lord of the Rings. Katy lives in Brixton, London.

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