Big Lies in a Small Town is a story of two young women told in alternating time lines. Mogan Christopher from 2018 who was serving out her sentence at the female corrections facility. And Anna Dale from 1940 who won a competition to paint a mural for a town she knows nothing about. Their stories are ones that will tear at your heart strings.

Morgan was just living out her days in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. That is, until Lisa Williams who happens to be the daughter of a famous artist and an attorney show up and offer her a way out of prison. The plan is for Morgan to restore a mural for upcoming art gallery opening, the problem is she knows nothing about restorations but she is determined to figure it out and have a fresh start at life. During the project she soon discovers some strange things about the painting that makes no sense, only raising more questions about the artist and her state of mind. Especially that she went missing and nothing is known of her since. To know what the mural means is to know what Anna endured during her time in Edenton. And Morgan just has to piece it together.

Our other main character, Anna was selected for the mural painting and it was like a dream come true for her especially for everything she has been through in the past year. But her time in Edenton, North Carolina isn’t what she was expecting. The people aren’t all the welcoming to her because she is an outsider who knows nothing about the town. They were upset when they had their own townsperson that entered the same competition and lost. Not only that, they don’t care for the company she keeps while painting. It is the 1940’s when racism still runs rampant. The events that transpire during her time will both warm and break your heart.

I think this is a story that has many layers. We have Morgan, who is just trying to start over and forgive herself and maybe find some happiness. Anna, who is just trying to do what she loves and help others who are interested in art. Both have faced terrible trials but somehow have managed to stay strong. Then there is the famous artist who after his death makes a way for Morgan. We get to know about him through Anna’s story. Then there is the mural that is a mystery all in it’s self. It is a story that touches on racism, prejudices and mental illness and a few other things that I won’t give away to much more of and it was certainly emotional at times. But I found myself so invested in both these young women’s story that I just didn’t want to put this down until I figured out how these two women were connected. The ending ties all the layers together and I couldn’t have been more happy with it. But is was definitely a journey to get there!

Big Lies in a Small Town was such a beautifully woven story of history, secrets and mystery with characters that I just adored. I will be on the lookout for more works from Chamberlain, that’s for sure!

Very beautifully written and thoughtful story. I enjoed the dual timelines and how they were woven around each other until they all came together at the end.

I received an ARC from netgalley for my honest review.

I reserve 5 star reviews for books i want to read again.

Diane Chamberlain does it again with Big Lies in a Small Town. I’ve loved every book of hers I’ve read!Art, history, the weaving of generations... I loved it all. Thanks @netgalley for the ARC.

Diane Chamberlain is a must-read author for me. I was introduced to her late, and had to make my way through the backlog of books but I'm glad I did. The characters are always so real, to the point where you wonder if they'r based on real people. This one moves fast; it's not inconceivable to believe you could start and finish this one on a rainy, cozy Sunday!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

What I really enjoy about Ms. Chamberlain’s books is that I really have no clue what she’s going to throw at me. She loves to lead you down a path and then switch it up on you. It is no different in this novel.

Morgan is sitting in jail for a crime that will haunt her for the rest of her life. That is until she’s released to work on a mural held onto by her favorite artist for decades. What she doesn’t expect is to uncover a dark past in the mural.

We experience Anna’s story through flashbacks and through the mural.

This is another great novel by Ms. Chamberlain.

Diane Chamberlain's Big Lies in a Small Town is a story of two women living in two different times. I love this type of story, where two people live lives that never intersect, but which impact one another. Each woman in this book is dealing with challenges which are not in her control, and they must find ways to deal with the problems, to grow, and to prove herself capable.

Moran Christopher is serving time in prison for a crime she didn't commit. But she cannot tell the truth because she feels guilty about the events that led to her incarceration. It is 2018, and she isn't due for release, but finds herself free with the qualification that she must restore a historical post office mural. It is a huge -- almost impossible job -- and although she is an artist, she knows nothing about restoration. However, Morgan has no intention of letting that stop her.

In 1940 Anna Dale won a contest and is brought to Edenton, North Carolina to pain a post office mural. The town is not very receptive to a young single woman from outside the community but she wants the job and is convinced that she can do it.

The book jumps back and forth between the two stories and the events of their times working on the same mural bring their stories together. Each time Chamberlain took me back to the other story I was thrilled to revisit the woman and learn more of her story. Both of the women were likable. I couldn't wait to find out what caused Anna to disappear before finishing the mural. And I couldn't wait to see whether Morgan would find Anna, or solve the mystery of her story.

The story was sweet, emotional, a bit sad. It dealt with some heavy, potentially triggering, issues, but did so in a respectful way. Both eras were vivid and real. I could see the ways that the people were interacting in the southern USA during the 1940s. The prejudices, the fear, the gender roles were all outlined so well. Despite the fact that there was little discussion of fashion or music, cars or hairstyles, I could see and hear them all. This was a heartfelt, nostalgic read, and I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my review. I loved the book so much that I bought the audiobook.

4.5 stars.

This story is two between two different times and it is told perfectly and forms into a beautiful story. I wasn’t able to predict what was about to happen.

This book was absolutely amazing. I love the NC setting and the alternating time periods and narrators. Another must-read from this author.

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain is another wonderful addition to her novels. While the start was a little slower than I am used to from her, you still see later how that was necessary in order for her to be able to set up all the events that happen throughout the novel. She has a big talent for drawing in her readers and making them interested in a topic they did not care for beforehand. Art and art restoration is not very high on my list of interests but she integrated her knowledge of those into the story so well that I just could not help but care anyways. I have always been a big fan of dual timelines, something she has successfully used before, and she expertly did so again here. You can tell that she meticulously researched the information needed for the novel to make the situations as believable as possible. Her books have a tendency of keeping me on the edge of my seat and I often find myself reading late into the night so I can find out what happens next sooner rather than later. Towards the end., there were several things revealed that were set up right from the start but I had no idea of their relevance until they were explained. Chamberlain once again impressed me with her talent of weaving together the lives of people that at first glance do not seem to have anything to do with each other. If you are looking for a novel that can combine different themes, such as racial tension, familial issues, mental health, and redemption, then this is the book for you.

Impressive, intriguing story-telling that is difficult to put down. The book has two time lines that are intertwined. One time line is set in 1940 and the second is set in present time. Each time line has a troubled, female artist who each has personal issues that shape who they are and how they move to live their lives. I was especially taken with Anna Dale the artist who won a contest to paint a mural in North Carolina in 1940. Anna's part of the story is historical fiction at its best....with vivid descriptions about racial tensions in a small town in the south in the 1940s. I also loved the transformation and development of the character of Morgan Christopher in the present time. I don't like to give a summary as you can read that anywhere. Love, Love this book! I intend to read more of Ms. Chamberlain's novels! Thank you NetGalley and Diane Chamberlain for the ARC!

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress and @diane.chamberlain.author for this amazing free ARC of Big Lies In A Small Town. Out now in bookstores!

.

Synopsis from the publisher: North Carolina, 2018: Morgan Christopher’s life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, she finds herself serving a three-year stint in the North Carolina Women’s Correctional Center. Her dream of a career in art is put on hold—until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will see her released immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration, but desperate to leave prison, she accepts. What she finds under the layers of grime is a painting that tells the story of madness, violence, and a conspiracy of small town secrets. North Carolina, 1940: Anna Dale, an artist from New Jersey, wins a national contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Alone in the world and desperate for work, she accepts. But what she doesn’t expect is to find herself immersed in a town where prejudices run deep, where people are hiding secrets behind closed doors, and where the price of being different might just end in murder. What happened to Anna Dale? Are the clues hidden in the decrepit mural? Can Morgan overcome her own demons to discover what exists beneath the layers of lies?

.

As someone who is fairly new to Diane Chamberlain’s books (This is only my second one), she is firmly on my automatic must read list. This book told with alternating timeline chapters, was masterful in building suspense and developing character stories that you couldn’t help but fall in love with. Many time when books jump from a present day and historical storyline, I find myself wanting to read one over the other more. This was not the case with this book! I was so on the edge of my seat with both storylines and was incredibly happy with the conclusion.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Over the years I have bought several of Diane Chamberlain’s books, but just never got around to reading them. Then “Big Lies in a Small Town” was released and I immediately read it. Now I know I have really been missing out! I loved this book! Although it is written with a dual timeline, Ms. Chamberlain’s writing flows so smoothly I had no difficulty following the transitions. I felt an emotional connection to the characters, and even learned a bit about art restoration. The rich descriptions created a sensory experience for me – the vivid colors of the mural, the smell and taste of home-cooking, a tactile sense and smell of the paints. I felt I was in Edenton alongside Anna and Morgan.

A bit of history, art restoration, second chances, mental illness, racism, romance, friendship – if you are a fan of any of these topics, you need to read this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions expressed here are all mine.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the time period jump between Anna and Morgan's story in this novel. While I did have a hard time getting into the book at first, once I was hooked, I was hooked. The interweaving story of Anna in the 1940's to Morgan in 2018 was beautifully done.

I felt sorry for both girls as they had challenges in their lives; different issues, but heartbreak. Seeing them bounce back or try to, from their troubles and see them grow in their strength, was inspiring.

The book was nicely wrapped up and the ending was beautiful.

Would recommend!

Another captivating book by Diane Chamberlain. This was beautifully written. This is my second book by the author and I will continue catching up on her other novels.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain is an intriguing story. I like how the story is laid out in the two different timelines. As Morgan Christopher works on the mural, we get to follow Anna as she works on creating it. It was interesting learning about the mural competition along with what it took to create a mural and restore one. This is the first novel I have read by Diane Chamberlain and it will not be my last. I thought it was well-written with developed characters and a lovely, Southern setting. The descriptions allowed me to imagine the setting and the characters. I could picture the small Southern town with its “powerful” men (to me they were overweight men who were indulging the little lady) and uptight ladies who did not appreciate Anna’s unique artistic ways. I felt for Morgan who took the rap for a crime she did not commit because love led her astray. I thought the author captured the feel of the south in the 1940s. I found it humorous how scandalized people were when Anna wore trousers. I liked the two mysteries in the story. We wonder what happened to Anna and why was Morgan chosen to restore the mural. I became engrossed in the story because I was eager to learn the answers. There is some offensive language along with violence (murder, violence against a female) as well as racism and alcoholism (so you are forewarned). I enjoyed how it all came together in the end (just as I hoped it would). Big Lies in a Small Town was a fascinating story with an ending that did not disappoint.

This was fantastic and I plan to choose it for my book club pick this year! I love books with backstory and strong characters and excellent character development and this book really delivers! Chamberlain always delivers, but this one was a favorite.

I enjoyed reading this book so much. The two person past/present POV kept the book moving and kept me intrigued. I enjoyed reading about the south in the 40’s. I also liked the main characters Anna and Morgan. Morgan’s history really drew me in and I was rooting for her to finish the job she was chosen to do. This book centers around mural creation and restoration. I do not have an art background but the author made it so fascinating!

If you ever had any doubt that you must let go the past so that you can move into the future then this book will certainly convince you of it being so true.

Morgan Christopher has the huge task of restoring a mural painted by Anna Dale in 1940. Morgan has been unfairly in prison for the past year, because of a boyfriend who was a coward. This is an opportunity for her, although she knows nothing about restoring painting. Plus there is a time limit. And why did the well known artist Jesse Williams name her as the person who must do it?

Anna Dale has been given the task of painting the mural in Edenton  to hang in the post office. She moves there for awhile while she paints it so that she can get a feel for the place, its history and people. A few young students help her, Jesse among them. Anna has come from the north and is rather wondering of the racist ways still present here in this town and she is to run up against it in unpleasant ways.

The less said about the plot the better. It needs to unfold for the reader so that you have an opportunity to see it play out before your eyes. The story is told between Anna and Morgan. The chapters are short, so this time I could easily live with the dual time line. There was no time to miss one character because I was speedily back with her. As well, their stories of working on the mural and the mystery it presents links up so seamlessly.

I loved this book. It held me in its thrall all the way through. There is mystery, challenge, injustice, racism and violence - but not too much, just a taste. The characters of Anna and Morgan - nothing not to love. Jesse was another who in the '40's I cheered on. And his family.

All I can say is don't miss out on this one. I wish it went on much further, but maybe Diane Chamberlain knows where to stop!

Big Lies in a Small Town was my fifth Diane Chamberlain book and I it is one of my favorites. I love the two stories set in two different timelines in the novel. One is the story of Morgan, a young woman in 2018 who is serving prison time over some poor choices she has made. Another is the story of a Anna, a young, northern artist in the 1950s who won an art contest giving her the prize job of painting a mural for a small Southern town. In Anna's time, there are still many racial hurdles to overcome and Anna is immediately shocked to witness the ignorance and prejudices first hand. She faces hurdles of some locals who resent an out of town WOMAN winning the contest over a local MAN, as well as those who resent her using an assistant who is a person of color. She also meets people who are lovely and good even as some of them are unaware of the error in their ways of thinking. There is some triggering violence in Anna's story, but it was the more compelling of the two storylines. Morgan's current day story is also really engrossing though as she is released early from her prison sentence to restore Anna's mural. Anna disappeared before completely finishing the mural and Anna now is in a tight time crunch to get it completed by a seemingly arbitrary date designated by a benefactor she doesn't know and can't figure how he came to choose her for the project.

There is a bit of everything in this novel. There is mystery, romance, art, history, drama, and even education. It sucked me in from the first pages and I couldn't put it down. I love Diane Chamberlain's work!!!

My heart skipped a little beat when Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain landed on my kindle. I guessed I was in for an emotional heartfelt journey based on the authors previous books, and I was absolutely right.

MY THOUGHTS ON BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN BY DIANE CHAMBERLAIN

I think you should check this book out if

– you love complex characters who are trying to find their place in the world, who made mistakes and who are trying to find redemption. I know I got fully behind them on their journey.
– you like books with an art theme, as the art restoration project in this book captured my imagination. I can vividly see what the painting would have looked like, especially all the ‘oddities’ that were included.
– you appreciate small town settings that hide huge explosive secrets (the clue is in the title!)
– you enjoy a little bit of romance, mixed with a bit of murder, all whisked up with themes of racism and injustice.

I can honestly say Diane Chamberlain never lets me down, and this was a really good book to start off my reading year. Definitely recommended.

WHO SHOULD READ BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN BY DIANE CHAMBERLAIN?

If you love well researched historical fiction, heartfelt plotlines and resilient characters, then you just might love this as much as I did. I’d also recommend to fans of previous books by Diane Chamberlain, or if you like authors such as Liane Moriarty or Kristan Hannah.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press for giving me for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.