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A Dog Called Hero: A heartfelt, mystery-solving story perfect for all young kids who love dogs!
Heartwarming and powerful, a young girl and ex-police
dog bond over their grief and work together to solve crime.
Haley has withdrawn from the world and retreated into her shell
ever since her police officer dad was killed in the line of duty
a year ago. Hero is a young police dog who has been retired early
– his handler was injured in the line of duty and he cannot
seem to bond with anyone else. But when Haley and Hero
meet, two lost souls find one another.
As they settle into their new lives, they quickly learn that old
habits die hard when Hero is instantly onto a clue when
the Whittaker Diamond is stolen. And Haley is
furious when DI Doyle, a former rival of her dad's, is assigned
the case and immediately accuses ex-offender Dylan – an employee
of her mum's catering business which offers second chances
and rehabilitation.
Can Hero and Haley crack the case?
Filled with heartfelt emotion and thrilling twists, this is a
brilliant cosy crime story with a gorgeous bond between girl and
dog at its core.
A tale of friendship and mystery for readers aged 9-12.
Perfect for young animal lovers and fans of The Mountain
Rescue Dog and The Last Bear.
“Cleverly plotted, pacy and packed full of heart,
this is a real feel-good read. a standout cosy crime story.”
- The School Librarian
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Katy Birchall
52 books719 followersKaty is the author of several young adult novels including The It Girl series, the Hotel Royale series and Morgan Charmley: Teen Witch. She is the co-author of the middle grade Lightning Girl series and Star Switch with Alesha Dixon, and the Find the Girl teen series with YouTube stars Lucy and Lydia Connell. Katy was proud to be the author of a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma for the Awesomely Austen series, a collection of Austen's novels retold for younger readers. She has also written a non-fiction book, How to be a Princess: Real-Life Fairy Tales for Modern Heroines.
Katy lives in London with her partner, Ben, and her rescue dog, Bono.
The Secret Bridesmaid is her adult fiction debut.
Katy lives in London with her partner, Ben, and her rescue dog, Bono.
The Secret Bridesmaid is her adult fiction debut.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 1, 2025
Thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for the copy of this book. Sorry it's taken me so long to write this, because I loved this book!
Haley's dad was a detective inspector in the MET. The year before, he had gone to a lead with his partner but they got split up. Both were attacked, Haley's dad died and Uncle Tobe was left unable to walk so although back at work, it's in a wheelchair. He'd called Mum today about that night which is why Haley is sitting in a police station waiting room, while they talked.
She looks up from her book and realises that another officer is there - with a spaniel at his feet. His name is Hero, he's 2 and about to retire as a sniffer dog because his handler had to retire and he won't work for anyone else. The officer is amazed when Hero begins to mirror Haley, he hasn't interacted with anyone like that.
But Haley has found the year really difficult. She's finding it hard to 'carry on as normal' Mum tries to organise social events, but Haley doesn't want to attend. Mum is trying to set up a new catering business, employing ex-offenders, so she is busy.
However, Mum decides she has to do something to help Haley - and so they end up at the MET police dog rehoming centre, and take Hero home.
Haley and Hero become inseparable. She learns to use his nose for training. He can find anything!
When Mum is asked to cater for a fancy London socialite's party - where she intends to display her 'the Whittaker diamond', Mum thinks this could be the break she needs. But the diamond is stolen, Hero is onto the clue, but isn't fully understood...
DI Doyle, who didn't see eye-to-eye with Haley's Dad instantly accuses Dylan, an ex-offender, despite the fact that Haley can state there is no way he could have gone near it. But is the fact that he ran to Haley's mum in the kitchen a major problem in the thieves plan.
Haley begins to investigate - even when she is warned not to. There are twists and turns as the party guests all seem to hate the party giver! But when Haley gets into real trouble can Hero save her and solve the case?
Absolutely fantastic book, will be giving straight to one of the year 5 girls at school as I know she'll love it!
Haley's dad was a detective inspector in the MET. The year before, he had gone to a lead with his partner but they got split up. Both were attacked, Haley's dad died and Uncle Tobe was left unable to walk so although back at work, it's in a wheelchair. He'd called Mum today about that night which is why Haley is sitting in a police station waiting room, while they talked.
She looks up from her book and realises that another officer is there - with a spaniel at his feet. His name is Hero, he's 2 and about to retire as a sniffer dog because his handler had to retire and he won't work for anyone else. The officer is amazed when Hero begins to mirror Haley, he hasn't interacted with anyone like that.
But Haley has found the year really difficult. She's finding it hard to 'carry on as normal' Mum tries to organise social events, but Haley doesn't want to attend. Mum is trying to set up a new catering business, employing ex-offenders, so she is busy.
However, Mum decides she has to do something to help Haley - and so they end up at the MET police dog rehoming centre, and take Hero home.
Haley and Hero become inseparable. She learns to use his nose for training. He can find anything!
When Mum is asked to cater for a fancy London socialite's party - where she intends to display her 'the Whittaker diamond', Mum thinks this could be the break she needs. But the diamond is stolen, Hero is onto the clue, but isn't fully understood...
DI Doyle, who didn't see eye-to-eye with Haley's Dad instantly accuses Dylan, an ex-offender, despite the fact that Haley can state there is no way he could have gone near it. But is the fact that he ran to Haley's mum in the kitchen a major problem in the thieves plan.
Haley begins to investigate - even when she is warned not to. There are twists and turns as the party guests all seem to hate the party giver! But when Haley gets into real trouble can Hero save her and solve the case?
Absolutely fantastic book, will be giving straight to one of the year 5 girls at school as I know she'll love it!
November 28, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Dog called Hero by Kathy Birchall
Haley Stewart is still suffering the loss of her dad, a police officer, who was killed on the job the previous year. Her mum notices that the only time she has seen her daughter smile is when she met Hero, a retired police dog.
When her mum adopts Hero, Hayley and the dog form a bond that no one other than Hero’s handler had with him. They quickly realise they are each other's saviour.
When the famous Whitaker Diamond is stolen during a dinner party that Hayley’s mum is catering, the finger is instantly pointed at Dylan, the waiter employed by her mum who has a criminal record.
Hero and Hayley get on the case straight away to save Dylan and her mum's business from going bankrupt. She has seen her dad solve lots of cases and with Hero’s background, she is sure she can discover who stole the diamond.
What a beautiful story this was between a girl and her dog who developed a wonderful friendship which helped relieve some of their sadness and heartbreak. This was such an emotional read which turned into a twisty crime novel.
I think anyone, young and old, who loves animal stories and is a fan of Hannah Gold will love this book.
Haley Stewart is still suffering the loss of her dad, a police officer, who was killed on the job the previous year. Her mum notices that the only time she has seen her daughter smile is when she met Hero, a retired police dog.
When her mum adopts Hero, Hayley and the dog form a bond that no one other than Hero’s handler had with him. They quickly realise they are each other's saviour.
When the famous Whitaker Diamond is stolen during a dinner party that Hayley’s mum is catering, the finger is instantly pointed at Dylan, the waiter employed by her mum who has a criminal record.
Hero and Hayley get on the case straight away to save Dylan and her mum's business from going bankrupt. She has seen her dad solve lots of cases and with Hero’s background, she is sure she can discover who stole the diamond.
What a beautiful story this was between a girl and her dog who developed a wonderful friendship which helped relieve some of their sadness and heartbreak. This was such an emotional read which turned into a twisty crime novel.
I think anyone, young and old, who loves animal stories and is a fan of Hannah Gold will love this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews