Buttoned Up

Secrets from Grandma's Attic #4

by Gabrielle Meyer

Buttoned Up is book # 4 in the Secrets of Grandma’s Attic fiction series.

It’s a new school year, and Amy Allen is excited about teaching at her old elementary school and helping her soon to-be-adopted kids adjust to their new community. She’s not quite as excited when the principal asks her to handle the Parent Teacher Association finances and step in at the last minute to coordinate a huge carnival. It doesn’t take long for Amy to discover that proceeds from past fundraisers and donations are mysteriously missing from the school’s accounts. But who would steal money from little kids? Has someone been cooking the books in Canton Elementary’s PTA?

Meanwhile, Amy’s sister Tracy finds a jar of buttons and a cryptic note from Grandma Pearl that refers to her aunt Martha, who mysteriously disappeared in 1911. It’s news to Amy and Tracy that they even had a great-aunt Martha. Could their grandmother’s note be the key to finding out what happened to their long-lost relative?

246 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Gabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun cozy mystery series. It's set in Canton, Missouri and based upon items found in Grandma Pearl's attic.

In Buttoned Up, Amy is starting her first year as a teacher back in Canton. She's quickly asked to serve as PTA treasurer adding additional responsibilities and stress. The mystery of what happened to Great Aunt Martha was a good one to uncover.

Loved learning about the history of buttons and their connection to Iowa.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite read of the series so far. We have three mysteries within this story-two major mysteries and one minor thread but one that added a great element to the story dealing with bullying. I could not put this one down and basically read it in 2-3 hours, which was a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening while I’m feeling cruddy due to a sinus infection. I also loved Amy meeting up with an old high school friend/old flame. Hoping to see more of Miles and seeing what develops with him as the series progresses. He seems like a great character. Loved this story!

[Cynthia Lathrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with lots of detective work! I couldn't put it down when it came to uncovering the mystery!

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Show me the money? When Amy Allen is recruited to take over the PTA finances, she finds the books don't balance with the results from fundraising. She sets out to find the money. Of course, there is always the story of what they find in Grandma Pearls attic. This time it is a bottle of buttons. Can the two be connected? Surprisingly, they are. They only thing I found corny was that Amy's old high school sweetheart is back in town, divorced with two kids, a boy and a girl. Of course, the girls become friends and the boys take a little more coxing, but they get there. Looks like there is a romance on the horizon.

[Michelle Levigne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely book about the Allen cousins and the mysteries they find among all the treasures in their grandmother's attic.
This one is dangerous, because the people who threatened their grandmother have descendants who are ready to do even worse things to Amy and Tracy and Robin, as they continue the halted investigation into a missing relative.
Then there are the problems Amy faces as she settles into motherhood with soon-to-be-adopted children, and teaching in her hometown. School board politics and nasty secrets and gossip threaten what could be a reunion with a teenage years sweetheart.

[Kathie Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of novels. As a genealogist, I am always interested in history. Even better, that it contains a mystery or two. The characters a very interesting and entertaining. The stories make me eager to find similar stories in my family tree.

[Carla Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite so far in this series.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

very realistic with a good plot

[Donna Gividen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery with a bit of history plus a recipe!
Freshwater pearl buttons