Gumshoe

by Brenna Thummler

From the visionary creator of the Sheets trilogy comes a never-before-seen contemporary middle grade graphic novel about a spunky group of girls, set against the backdrop of the Arizona desert. Perfect for fans of Paper Girls and This Was Our Pact.

In the hot, gossipy town of Stony Lonesome, shy eleven-year old Willa interacts with others the only way that feels right to her—the mail. She loves the mail so much that she hopes to become a mail carrier herself one day. But her dreams of delivering birthday cards, thank-you notes, and love letters come crashing down when she’s mistaken for the notorious Two Gum Tilly, a bandit rumored to be stealing mail for as long as folks can recall.

Now an outlaw herself, Willa realizes the only way to clear her name is to bring the real crook to justice. But when a chance encounter introduces her to the Gumshoe Gang, a group of runaways looking to right the wrongs of the letter-looting thief, she finds that human connection might be her only path to freedom. Can Willa clear her name and revive her dreams of postal glory, or has she stamped her last letter . . . forever? 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Comics, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Childrens

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2026

About the author

Brenna Thummler grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania, where she developed a great love for nature trails, peanut butter, and, above all, drawing. A graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, she was named the Society of Illustrators Zankel Scholar during her junior year. Since graduation, she has done editorial and advertising work for such clients as the New York Times, the Washington Post, Razorfish, and Empathic Films LLC. While Anne of Green Gables is her first published graphic novel, her first original graphic novel is Sheets. In those rare moments she’s not creating art, you might find her dancing, making music, baking cheesecakes, or spending time with kindred spirits.

Reviews

[Olivia | Liv's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE! From the color palette, the social anxiety representation, the humor, the mystery & all the cats, this was beyond creative. I will continue to read anything Brenna writes! 🥹

[abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

ever since the sheets trilogy, i’ve been highly anticipating brenna thummler’s next graphic novel. for YEARS i was awaiting gumshoe’s publication, and now i can finally say she never misses!! gumshoe is even better than sheets in my opinion. the colors, the friendships, the writing/the dialogue, the mystery (which i did guess but was still so so fun), and the creation of the town itself and all its wonderful personality! i could go on and on!! a must-read for girlies of ALL ages, but especially for those who struggle with social anxiety <3

[Minji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade graphic novel was so cute! The art is so beautiful and the coloring of the entire book is so wonderful. I think young kids would love this story and it mixes an unorthodox occupation with the beauty of the Wild West in a cute story about friendship, social anxiety, and learning to find your own voice. I was so delighted by this story!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenna!! You've done it again!!

This is so goofy and feels like such an encapsulation of girlhood. The way this world reflects our own and is also completely unique (post office crime is rampant? cats are celebrity singers!). I absolutely love the way Brenna Thummler designed this unique world and a cast of characters that are each distinct while also united under their mission to service the post office. They were giving major Molly and Kit vibes!

The color palette is everything you could dream of. So many beautiful and amazing illustrations. After the success of Sheets, I was curious what Thummler would create next and I am so impressed. This is completely different than the Sheets trilogy, while also keeping that same trademark charm. Highly recommend this both for young girls, but also for adults looking for a fun pick-me-up.

[Brittany]

Not rating on goodreads.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for early copy for review*

The art in this is fantastic! I love the color palette and how it gives life to this comic. The story and cowboy colloquialisms are not for me however. This made it a headache for me to read. Really wanted to love this because I love female friendships being highlighted.

[Hannah Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly one of you on this app is going to make fun of me for reading a graphic novel, but I read it with my toddler son so you literally can’t say anything. ✨

Anyways, the son in question loved this story. The illustrations and color palette are gorgeous. I couldn’t quite follow the story but that doesn’t really seem to matter so much with well-illustrated graphic novels.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
American Girl Dolls meet Lake for a super cozy, feelgood graphic novel.

Pre-reading:
Yeehaw!

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Immediately yes to the color palette.

That is quite the post office hyperfixation.

Hi autism. (Book says just social anxiety, but I think it's more.)

Susanna has to be the thief and the kidnapper, no? (On this episode of Samantha solves middle-grade immediately like that's not what you're supposed to be able to do if you have a fully cooked frontal lobe.)

This book is so charming and funny.

It keeps making me giggle. This book is pure serotonin. I love the girls, but I think poor little Pepsy is my fave.

This has ‘Kit Kittredge. I’m 10, and I’m here to have my article published’ energy, and it’s so funny. (That audio lives rent-free in my head.)

Do they just not have a police system looking for these missing children? (I guess not!)

Not the Billie cat song 😂

As if you could outrun me!

Post-reading:
The cutest shot of pure dopamine. It’s a great middle-grade graphic novel that I think older readers will still get a kick out of. It is genuinely so funny. While the plotting is obvious, the pacing and jokes keep the story from dragging. The art is charming. The color palette is so fun. It reminded me a lot of that cozy video game, Lake. I can’t quite give this a five-star because it's lacking the depth and memorability that my best of the best books have, but I also don't think this book could’ve had that and still been appropriate for its intended age group. You can't shove murder and romance into everything, you know? For what it is, I have no complaints. I would definitely recommend this as a palette cleanser or to younger readers, and I'd pick up the author again. This was so cutie!

Who should read this:
Lake fans
Cozy story fans
American Girl Doll fans
Saddle Club fans

Ideal reading time:
Summer

Do I want to reread this:
I think I'll just remember it.

Would I buy this:
I think I’d get a copy from my library, but I wouldn't be upset if I did spend money on it. I wouldn't say no to a copy for my shelves.

Similar books:
* Nimona by N. D. Stevenson-cozy, urban fantasy, graphic novel
* The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz-cozy, campy, historical romance, graphic novel, queer

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had previously enjoyed this author's book, Sheets, and was eager to continue with her publications. Gumshoe had the unique premise of a band of runaway girls determined to find the bandit notorious for stealing others' mail. I did love the wardrobe and dreamy color palette of this graphic novel. The pinks and blue were perfect against the dusty Arizona backdrop. Narrative-wise, I was utterly lost. There wasn't a proper exposition to explain the characters' motivations or backgrounds. I felt like I was dropped in the middle of the story even from the first page. It was also 100 pages too long that could have used some tumbleweed culling for better clarity. Critiques aside, this was a unique story and I applaud the author once again for her creativity. Willa was a great gumshoe who solved the mystery of Stony Lonesome with the help of her postcard-stealing pals.

[Shersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC!
Gumshoe is a stunningly drawn graphic novel filled with humor and heart. Following a young girl struggling with social anxiety who aspires to be a mailwoman, we're thrown into a fun found-family adventure. I was blown away by how beautiful the artwork is, I adore the color palettes used and just the art style in general! The line "You're like if lotion could talk." made be actually laugh out loud.
Can't wait to recommend this to lots of kiddos once it comes out!
Only downsides to me were that I figured out the "twist" almost immediately-but keep in mind this is meant for much younger readers, so I don't really hold that against it. Would have liked to see a bit more of what Willa's family was dealing with, the whole time I was like "Willa's family must be freaking out right now!"

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa wants to be a mailwoman, but when she is mistaken for Two Gum Tilly, a mail bandit, she ends up on the run with some other runaway girls who call themselves The Gumshoe Gang. Set on catching Two Gum Tilly, the group sets off to stop the bandit from stealing more cards.

The art is amazing and the focus on accepting yourself and others was lovely. The story itself was a little bit weird. The twist was pretty obvious early on. Overall a fun romp through the desert!

I rated it 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the e-arc!

[Abby Greaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenna is such a great graphic novel writer! I loved Sheets, so I was so excited for her to release a new story.

We follow Willa, a quiet girl, who doesn't have friends and loves mail. She runs away from home and joins the "Gumshoe Gang" to help find Two Gum Tilly, the outlaw mail stealer of Arizona. Will they be able to catch Tilly? Will Willa make friends with these girls? You'll have to read to find out!

Perfect for those who are quiet, struggle to make friends, or girls who need to know that they are wonderful just how they are!

Thanks to HarperAlley for the advanced copy!

[Kaitlyn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenna Thummler will forever amazing me with her artwork and storytelling! I loved the color palette within Gumshoe and the ending was heartwarming in the best of ways. Throughout the story, I could feel Brenna’s love for these characters and joy in her work. This is another beautiful graphic novel to add to her list of works!

Thank you Brenna for the ARC ❤️🙌

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5- The colors and illustrations are fantastic. The story was a little strange and at times you have to suspend your disbelief for the story to make sense. Still, I was interested throughout and I think graphic novel enthusiasts will gobble it up.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Slenchabela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the visuals a lot more than the plot. What a beautiful book!

[Jenna Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be rootin, be tootin, and by golly, be shootin, but most importantly: respect postal workers.

Sheets Trilogy author Brenna Thummler shines yet again with Gumshoe, a quirky and heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel about a Wild West mail-themed adventure. The story follows Willa, a shy young girl who dreams of becoming a mail carrier. When Willa is mistaken for Two Gum Tilly, the infamous mail bandit, she runs away and joins the Gumshoe Gang, a ragtag group of kids on a mission to catch Tilly and deliver justice.

This was such a cute, quick read! It’s weird and wonderfully unique, unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I’ll admit, I struggled at first to pin down the exact time period and get over the lack of police presence in the story, but once I reminded myself that this is a middle-grade graphic novel featuring a cowboy-hat-wearing cat and leaned into the Wild West atmosphere, I had an absolute blast. I adored all of the characters and appreciated how each of them represented their own struggles while showing how important it is to find people you can open up to and how others can help you grow.

Thummler’s illustrations were phenomenal as always. Her signature soft color palettes perfectly set the tone of each scene and made the emotional draw that much more powerful. Every page felt inviting and exciting. This, paired with Thummler’s ability to make each and every character feel important and fleshed out, made this graphic novel something to remember.

Ultimately, Gumshoe is a charming, one-of-a-kind adventure about friendship, finding your voice, and of course, the power of the postal service.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books/HarperAlley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new MG graphic novel by the author of the Sheets trilogy.
✉️
In the dusty desert town of Stony Lonesome, shy eleven-year-old Willa feels most herself when she’s connecting with people through the mail. When she’s mistakenly branded as the infamous mail-stealing outlaw Two Gum Tilly, Willa must go on the run to clear her name. Teaming up with the scrappy Gumshoe Gang, she discovers that friendship, courage, and human connection may be the key to reclaiming her future, and her dream of delivering letters once more.
📪
I loved Thummler’s signature artwork, especially the way the color palette shifted alongside the story; it added so much emotional depth and visual storytelling. The themes really stood out as well, making this a thoughtful and engaging middle grade graphic novel that lingers after the last page. Thanks @harperalley for the book. This title releases on Tuesday!

CW: social anxiety, theft

3.25 ⭐️ Not sure when this was supposed to be set because it acts like a western, but feels like it's set now. It was an odd story, but I'm sure kids will love it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a fun premise, but I felt like there were a lot of plot holes. Maybe it's too difficult for me as a grown up to suspend my disbelief for some of these story choices.

This is about a group of 4 children who are runaways traveling around with a strange adult. These 4 runaways ran away for very small reasons, it seems. And the parents are barely looking for them? The bigger story that should be going on here is the parents searching for their children, since the story is seemingly showing us that the reasons the kids ran away were kind of bigger in the children's heads.

Our main character Willa runs away for months because she has social anxiety and a mail man, who she admires, wrongfully believes she is stealing mail. Instead of running home to talk to her parents - who have been in about one scene and were shown as pretty loving and understanding - she just leaves town with a group of strangers? We are told a little more towards the end that Willa feels like her parents put pressure on her I guess? And then we see her mom for one more scene and she's just a little sad her kid ran away but is doing nothing to find her. She's just kind of accepted it? It would work better if Willa had some sort of disagreement or tension with her parents to make it more believable that she'd just leave or it would be more understanding why she thought she couldn't talk to her parents

There could be a fun story here, but I was just so distracted by the bigger issue of these children being gone from their families and it is just treated like a very benign thing.

[Kelsie ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to HarperAlley and HarperCollins Children’s for letting me read and review this graphic novel early. All thoughts are my own!!

This graphic novel was fun and definitely perfect for middle grade readers. I really enjoyed the art style and the colors used throughout this story to signify different plots or character interactions!

I love that this graphic novel is uplifting postal workers! They deserve recognition and support, so I appreciate how this was written!

I think younger readers who may struggle with talking to others/social interactions will really enjoy following Willa as she settles into herself and realizes that she doesn’t have to change herself to accomplish her goals.

Overall, this graphic novel was full of friendship, laughter, and the knowledge that you don’t have to change yourself to reach your goals!

[Ness (Vynexa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

she did it again, folks! but this time, she did it brighter.

Thummler’s art style accompanied by the anxiousness of being a kid in a big, big world is a magnificent masterpiece.

this made me want to go back to snail mail and start stamp collecting. so if anyone if owns cool stamps and wants to be penpals, let me know.

in all seriousness, this story is sweet. you’ll see yourself reflected in at least one of the characters and find yourself wanting many, if not all, panels printed and hung up on your wall.

to me, Thummler is one of the best there is in the middle grade/YA graphic novel scene and I’m always excited to pick up her works.

biiiig thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing me with an early copy of Gumshoe in exchange for an honest review. very much appreciated 💌

[Katie Seehusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this 6 stars if I could.

This was beautiful, and heart breaking, and restorative. I saw myself so much in Willa, an introvert worried about being a burden, having the weight of others expectations that you can't seem to get out from under. We are never truly alone and most people are just as much of a mess as you are, we just feel like we're the only ones. This amazing story is about friendship, about the people who come alongside you and fill gaps for you and grow with you, and it's all wrapped up in amazing artwork. The colors, the whimsy, the hat on Dogie, it immerses you in the story and holds you there. Wait until you get to the only full two page picture, it's worth it.

Brenna Thummler is a wonderful artist and storyteller, she adds so much heart into her books, they need to be read and shared widely. I Ioved this so much!

[Books Over People · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Brenna, thank you for making this book. You are awesome. I will send you some gum.

Dear rest of the readers, this book has it all. Urban legends, found family, a girl gang of mail thieves, the most amazing mail uniform in the history of ever, and of course, a cat named Dogie.

Thummler's art is beautiful as always. She uses color to convey emotion better than anyone. The story is set in some reality that is maybe ours, maybe not and really, it doesn't matter because Pepsy, Whip, Beanie, and Willa are all as real as it gets. There are no cell phones (but that amazing early aughts pager is boss), which is perfect because this doesn't work with those.

I can't help but see the love letter to Peter Pan here with this band of lost girls who run away to live and have the biggest adventures.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fan of the author/illustrator, I have read the Sheets trilogy 3 times. The art and story weave seamlessly and although this is a new story completely, it too did not disappoint. Willa wants to be a mailwoman but when she gets mistaken for Two Gum Tilly, a mail bandit, she ends up on the run with other girls who call themselves the Gumshoe Gang. They to are searching for the real mail bandit. What happens when the girls are on the run will keep you entertained wanting more. The artwork is so bright and colourful and it totally matches the vibe of the story. Another excellent read by Brenna Thummler.

[Leslie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, these illustrations were beautiful! So iconic and the color palette was perfection! Really helped set the stage throughout. Having a desert backdrop really helped bring it all to life.

I thought this was a weird, fun romp. Our main heroine just wants to deliver the mail, and all this stuff is happening to her from some misunderstandings. But she gets to meet friends for the first time! And she realizes being quiet isn’t the worst!

We stand with postal workers ✊🏻

Occasionally some of the language was too ~western~ and I just had to make up what they were saying lol but nothing too major that I couldn’t follow the plot

Also, always a fan when the cat saves the day

Would recommend for a fun time!

[Allison Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a whimsical, adventurous delight. The 4 girls at the center of this story are so lovable and spunky. They each have their own insecurity or fear that ends up helping them understand each other better and form a sweet friendship. There were some really fun elements to this version of reality that make it not-quite-normal. The country's fixation on a legend called Two Gum Tilly, and following the developments as she goes around stealing birthday cards from mailboxes, was incredibly fun and wholesome. I really enjoyed Brenna's soft, calm, color pallet with the Sheets series, and Gumshoe's vibrant, colorful pallet hooked me immediately.


Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the arc!

[Simon Says Hellooo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Middle Grade graphic novel that follows Willa, a girl who dreams of postal work but worries if her anxiety will stop her. The art was beautiful. It's written as a Western. We follow Willa who is accused of a misunderstanding she didn't do and she has to go on the run and somehow catch the real culprit to clear her name.

I loved the western style mixed with humor and the fact that they're children and it's the postal service. I would read another installment or a different story in this world and style.

I will be posting a video review of this book on my TikTok as well @simonsayshellooo

Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.

[Liz Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenna Thummler does an amazing job bringing to life a modernized western for middle grade readers. Gumshoe is a story full of relatable characters who all share a common mission: finding Two Gum Tilly, the notorious mail thief outlaw, and bringing her to justice with the postal system. The story is funny while down-to-earth, showcasing characters gaining confidence in themselves and building genuine friendships with others. Thummler brings her sweet story to life through the use of warm and bright visuals allowing readers to feel the desert heat of the story and taste the chewing gum.

Thank you HarperAlley and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored Thummler's Sheets trilogy and was hoping for the same magic for her new middle grade graphic novel, Gumshoe. Alas, it didn't move me the way the trilogy did. The main character is odd and reserved enough and prefers letter writing. And she discovers a gang, the Gumshoe Gang to solve crimes. I think it was just a little too odd, though through the oddness I think many will connect to the true understanding of what middle school is like through the eyes of Willa which will endear her to many. It wasn't for me but an old school story in the graphic novel format that is beloved.

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This didn't work fully work for me sadly. I found it quite predictable but also far fetched and I wasn't able to properly get into the story. I wanted to but I just stayed on the edge. I didn't think the characters were that layered and in the end I felt like something was missing. I just didn't connect with it. I just didn't believe, I guess? No one is more disappointed than me but I will, without a doubt, keep reading books by Brenna Thummler.

[Jessica]

Willa is a quiet kid, a VERY quiet kid, who prefers to interact with folks through the mail. Her love of mail leads her on the hunt for notorious mail thief Two Gum Tilly. Hijinks ensue and the next thing she knows, she’s joined a gang of runaways on the hunt for Tilly.

This one wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a fan of the drawing style and found the story to be oddly both confusing and predictable. I’m sure this book will hit home with kids who feel a little outcast or love a strange mystery. I’m just not one of them.

[Anne Vallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cubby holes. Cow girls. County fairs. Feeling the vaguely Catholic need to confess sins you haven’t committed? Thummler reminds us of the power—not just of girls talking, but also of girls talking to each other. Thummler’s ability to illustrate perspective is top-notch—letting the camera spin and even linger in liminal-esque shadows. (Is meta-modern, “mid-western” western a genre? If not, it is now.)As always, Brenna Thummler’s Gumshoe affirms that YA and children’s literature is, in fact, capital-L Literature.