3 Reasons Why You Should Read Detective Galileo by Peter Helliar, Illustrated by Andrew Joyner

3 Reasons Why You Should Read Detective Galileo by Peter Helliar, Illustrated by Andrew Joyner

What’s the book about?

A hilarious new series from Australia’s favourite comedian, Peter Helliar, about Galileo – a horse with talent for solving crimes.

For as long as he can remember, it has been Galileo’s dream to become a police horse. But when his dream comes true, he soon realises he’s not there to solve crimes – he’s just a vehicle to carry around the ‘real’ human detectives. When Galileo witnesses a crime, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He has a lot to learn, but each crime he solves is sure to take him one step closer to becoming a real detective …

Recommended for: 

Ages 7+

Three reasons to read it: 

  1. Yes, a horse, but not just any horse. Galileo has always dreamed of being a police horse who actually solves crimes—not just clip-clopping behind a human with a badge. He’s smart, determined, and has the nose (well, maybe the snout?) for sniffing out clues and cracking cases. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Scooby-Doo met Sherlock Holmes in a stable, this is your answer.
  2. Helliar is one of Australia’s funniest comedians, and it shows. The jokes land fast, the dialogue is packed with personality and Galileo’s inner thoughts are a perfect blend of awkward, earnest, and absolutely hysterical. You’ll be giggling on every page, especially when Galileo tries to “blend in” or gets caught in yet another detective-themed disaster.
  3. From Galileo’s wide-eyed determination to chaotic crime scenes and confused detectives, the illustrations add a fresh burst of fun to every page. They’re dynamic, expressive and full of movement, making the book a perfect mix of novel and graphic storytelling. This isn’t just a story you read; it’s one you see unfolding right before your eyes.

Buy a copy of Detective Galileo here.

About the author:

Pete Helliar is one of Australia’s favourite comedians and the bestselling author of Frankie Fish. He is a regular on Have You Been Paying Attention?, was a contestant on the 2023 season of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and guest judge on the return season of Thank God You’re Here. He is currently appearing on Amazing Race Australia – with his wife Bridget – and Taskmaster Australia.

 

Andrew Joyner is an illustrator, author and cartoonist based in Strathalbyn, South Australia. His much-loved books include The Terrible Plop and Mary & Marcus (both written by Ursula Dubosarsky), The Swap (written by Jan Ormerod) and The Bum Book (written by Kate Mayes).

Publisher details

Detective Galileo
Authors
Andrew Joyner, Peter Helliar
Publisher
HarperCollins
Genre
Children’s Fiction
Released
04 June, 2025
ISBN
9781460766217

Synopsis

For as long as he can remember, it has been Galileo's dream to become a police horse. But when his dream comes true, he soon realises he's not there to solve crimes – he's just a vehicle to carry around the 'real' human detectives. When Galileo witnesses a crime, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He has a lot to learn, but each crime he solves is sure to take him one step closer to becoming a real detective ...
Peter Helliar
About the author

Peter Helliar

Peter Helliar is an Australian comedian, TV presenter and children's author. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and three kids, and currently co-hosts the award-winning news and current affairs program The Project on Network Ten. Helliar plans on being the first human to travel back in time, and expects this to have happened by the time Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase is published. Since first appearing on Rove Live in the late 90s, Helliar's extraordinary entertainment and comedy career has spanned everything from radio to screenwriting, producing and co-starring in feature films (I Love You Too) and television series (It's a Date), as well as creating a beloved AFL sensation in his alter-ego Bryan 'Strauchanie' Strauchan. Helliar's most recent comedy tour, One Hot Mess, sold out shows in Australia and New Zealand.

Books by Peter Helliar

Andrew Joyner
About the author

Andrew Joyner

ANDREW JOYNER is an internationally published illustrator and author. His popular books include The Terrible Plop and Too Many Elephants in This House with Ursula Dubosarsky, the Boris series, and The Swap by Jan Ormerod (a CBCA Book of the Year).

Books by Andrew Joyner

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