Medals in the Attic
by Cathy Elliot
Annie Dawson is enjoying rummaging through the jumble of memorabilia, old toys, and discarded furniture in the attic of Grey Gables, the stately Victorian house in Stony Point, Maine, that she has inherited from her grandmother. But when she discovers a carved wooden case holding two World War II military medals she is dumbfounded . . . and troubled. Grandpa Holden’s military service medals are on full display in the living room. Are these also Grandpa’s? If so, why are they hidden away where no one can see them? And if not, whose are they? Why have they been kept in secret in the attic of Grey Gables all these years? “Looks like you’ve given me another mystery to solve, Gram,” says Annie, as she gently lifts the mysterious box out of its protective wrappings. Cradling it in her arms, she carefully inches her way down the steep attic stairs and then down to the living room where she can examine the medals more closely. One is a Purple Heart, of that she’s sure. The other one? She just doesn’t know. So Annie determines to solve the mystery of the medals and restore them to the rightful owners. Annie enlists the town’s mayor, Ian Butler, to help her in her search. Her neighbor Alice MacFarlane provides moral support. But Annie’s sleuthing adventure just might expose some long-protected family secrets and damage Annie’s new friendships with members of the Hook and Needle Club, a stitchery group that meets weekly at the local yarn shop, A Stitch inTime. As Annie gets closer and closer to discovering the truth, will she lose friends, her reputation, even her life? Join Annie in her quest and see how the people of Stony Point can temper justice with mercy and forgiveness when the secrets of the medals are revealed.