The characters in this book come alive under the pen of Diane Chamberlain. Small town living in the South in 1940 with all its racial tension is well depicted The book alternates chapters between Anna Dale who was painting a mural for the Post Office in Edenton, NC in 1940 and Morgan Christopher who is restoring the mural in 2018. Anna disappeared in 1940 with the mural but it was found in a closet of famous Edenton artist Jesse Jameson Williams. Jesse, noted for helping young artists, in his will has charged that the mural be restored by Morgan and completed by the opening of his gallery in Edenton in 2 months. Morgan, who completed only 3 years of art school, is currently in prison and knows nothing about restoration work. She knows of Jesse but had never met him. Why did he choose her? How did he end up with the mural? Who was Anna Dale and what happened to her? Why is it so important that the gallery open on August 5? You can stay up until 5 AM like I did, reading "just one more chapter" to find the answers to these questions. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I loved it and I highly recommend it.

I am so grateful to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of Diane Chamberlain’s newest book! She is an amazing storyteller- able to weave the threads of different plots together to make one cohesive story.
This book follows two women - Anna in the 1940s and Morgan in modern times. They are linked by a mural that Anna painted and Morgan is tasked to restore. I loved how the timelines complemented each other, and how the modern storyline gave me a break from the mounting tension of the book.
If you enjoy character driven stories laced with mystery, I think you will appreciate Big Lies in a Small Town.

I have a few Diane Chamberlain books in my library but Big Lies in a Small Town is the first book I’ve read by the author, What an introduction!! This book was so amazing! The way the two stories were woven then intertwined kept me a rapt audience. It’s been a while since I stayed up waaay past my bedtime to read....just one more chapter! The end of this book was so much more than I ever imagined. I had an inkling of what was coming but what actually happened was so much more. The unravelling of the mystery was so great to read.

Anna and Morgan are both really well developed, easy to like characters and then there are a whole cast of other characters that complemented them so well: Lisa, Jesse, Oliver and more. The story was really well paced and I really loved the whole thing. I’ll definitely be pulling out me other Diane Chamberlain books!

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Wonderful book that goes between events that happen in 1940 and what their effects are in 2018.

In 1940 Three young black children come upon the dead body of a white man..

In 2018, a young woman Morgan Christopher a prison inmate is offered an early prison release in exchange for restoring la mural that was in the collection of paintings of her favorite artist Jesse Jameson Williams.
.He was in the habit of helping promising young artists.
.
The mural is the center of the story and had been painted by a young white woman, Anna Dale in 1940
who supposedly went mad while painting it

Morgan has 2 months to restore the mural in order for the art gallery Jesse stipulated in his will to open.an art gallery featuring his collection.

Anna meets Jesse when he's a high school student with remarkable art abilities and he helps her paint the mural. Since they spend much of their time together working on the mural , the townspeople believe that they're involved in a relationship which is illegal.

As Morgan cleans the mural, disturbing images appear. Anna spends many night alone in a warehouse working on the mural. One night she is violently raped by the local artist who feels he should've been chosen to paint the mural. She sees a hammer on the floor nearby and uses it to beat in her rapist's head.

When Jesse arrives the next morning he sees what has happened and tells Anna he will take care of everything.

Anna varies between being unable to paint and to painting disturbing images on the mural..

She becomes pregnant as a result of the rape and knows that if people were to learn she's pregnant, they will assume it's Jesse's baby.

The police question her about the whereabouts of her hammer after the body is found.. Jesse tells her he threw it where it won't be found.

As she' about to be arrested she flees with the mural and Jesse arranges for her to hide out on his family' farm.
Jesse flees town with the mural.

Anna puts her son up for adoption and leaves town with a new look and a new name.

Morgan discovers that Anna's signature on the mural matches the signature on another painting by a well known artist and discovers they have the same painting style. She figures out that the other artist is Anna.

She invites the other artist to the gallery opening and it is there that major secrets are revealed including how Morgan came to be selected to restore the mural.


Great book,

This is the second book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what happened. The reader follows the journey of Morgan in the present day as an art restorer of a mural. During her time doing this we learn about her past as well as what happened to the person who created the mural. There are lots of ups and downs with a great ending. Thanks netgalley for this free read.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read and give an honest opinion.

~Book Review~⠀
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Title: Big Lies in a Small Town ⠀
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Author: Diane Chamberlain
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Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.50⠀
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Emoji: 🤗⠀

⚠️Warning: Rape
My goal for 2020 is to read more of Historical Fiction and this nook was a great book to start with. This is my first book from Diane Chamberlain. I think her written is entertaining and engaging.

What I liked:
- I really liked the dual timelines 1940 and 2018.
- Anna stood strong for things she believed in and didn’t allow people in her new surrounding to change who she was. ( Edenton, NC was defiantly a racist town no matter how kind the people acted.)
- Morgan made a terrible mistake but she learned and became a better person.
- Really love reading about the restoration of the mural (wish it was real because it sound really amazing)
- Even though I have guessed most of the mystery, the book was still interesting.

What I didn't like:
- What stopped it from being 5 stars was the ending.

Recommendation: I recommend this book if you are looking for historical fiction with mystery, romance, art and friendship

3.49 stars

I’ve read a few of Diane Chamberlain’s novels. She often tackles big topics, sometimes at the expense of depth of character or believable stories. Big Lies in a Small Town is no exception. The story is told in two timelines. In 2018, Morgan is released from jail early because she has been chosen to restore a mural in a small town in North Carolina. In 1939, 22 year old Anna has been selected to paint the mural as part of a post depression initiative. As Morgan works on the mural, it becomes obvious to her that there was something not quite right about Anna. In parallel, we find out what happened to Anna who had moved on her own from New Jersey to North Carolina to work on the mural. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say that Chamberlain uses this story to explore issues of racism, mental illness and sexism. I didn’t dislike Big Lies in a Small Town, which is why I’m giving it 3.49 stars. It was very readable and there were lots of twists and turns. But I found that the characters lacked depth and that these serious topics were treated rather superficially. I keep meaning to give up on Chamberlain but always find myself attracted by the description of her novels. I’m not sure what I’ll do next time... Thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

4+ stars!

A suspenseful and captivating mystery set in a small town.

Told in the dual narratives of 1940 and 2018, the two main characters, Anna and Morgan are young artists looking to find their way. Before finishing a mural project for the small town of Edenton, Anna goes missing in 1940. Almost 80 years later, Morgan is asked to restore the unfinished mural project so it can be hung in a local art exhibit. Little does Morgan know the hidden secrets she will find while researching and restoring the mysterious mural.

I adore small town settings and this one was no exception. The atmosphere engrossed and intrigued me from start to finish. I felt as though I was right there in Edenton with the characters. I loved the dual narrative, although I felt a deeper connection to and investment in Anna’s life in 1940. The plot unfolded smoothly while moving back and forth between the timelines, leaving a large sense of mystery at the end of each chapter which made me want to keep reading. Please be warned that there are some heavy topics covered within these pages: racism, physical abuse, rape, harassment.

One issue I had was that Morgan’s romance felt cliche and unnecessary, however, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. There were parts of the ending that I found predictable, yet I still felt connected to and invested in the storyline and it left me with a good sense of closure and contentment.

If you are a fan of Diane Chamberlain, like I am, you will not be disappointed. This book showcases her usual captivating writing, unique storyline and unforgettable characters which has left me hungry for what she comes out with next.

This was a Traveling Sister read that we all enjoyed and highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Expected date of publication: January 14, 2020.

This book was an all around good read!
Art restoring was a unique and interesting subject and the two timelines of the plot worked well.
We got to know each artist who worked on the mural in the 1930's and in 2018 very well.
The characters and each backstory were so well thought out and made sense for people in each situation and each time period.
I liked how each character grew and matured through their individual heartaches and rose above their challenges to become accomplished artists. And the way all the characters and individual naratives came together at the end was wonderful. I love stories where everything comes together at the end, even if there are some loose ends - like this one!
I admire all the thought involved in writing this book from different perspectives and the research it involved. The only reason I rated this 4 instead of 5 stars is because the begining was kind of slow, especially the 1930's narative, and it took me a little while to become invested in the characters, but it was well worth the wait.
Highly reccommended - you don't have to know anything about art to appreciate how well the book is written.

WOW!! Most of my 5 star reads involve a serial killer. The fact that this one did not, says a LOT! I LOVED this book! The setting is North Carolina, one of my favorite places so that was already a selling point. BUT the writing is excellent so the characters and story will suck you right in. I am so glad I gave this one a chance and will definitely read more from Diane Chamberlain!

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Chamberlain and St. Martin's Press for this amazing ARC!

I am not a stranger to Ms. Chamberlain's books, she is a go to author for me. She does a fantastic job of setting the scene and portraying characters that keeps me coming back for more and more! This latest novel is one more in a long line of superb stories.

Told in dual timelines, there is present day Morgan and 1940's Anna. What the two have in common is a painted mural. Anna (the original artist) and the mural mysteriously disappear from town amid rumors of her going crazy. When it shows up again decades later, Morgan is tasked with restoring the mural for a gallery opening, all the while trying to understand what really happened to the original artist. I loved the snippets we were given about art restoration, I found them fascinating. The characters were well drawn, and the clues given along the way kept steamrolling and pushing me to find out how it was all going to come together. The only minor fault I had was the obligatory romance, which thankfully does not take up much of the story line. While one part of the ending is not resolved, I kind of liked it, since I'm not one to like my books to always end with everything tied up in a neat bow.

Another great story from this author! I'm excited to see what she'll come up with next.

Another powerful book by Diane Chamberlain......

Morgan's story is amazing - but not as powerful as Anna's. Fearless in her journey; she truly amazed me as a headstrong woman way before her time who showed glimpsed of madness but fought the demons... What a great read.

My one question would be I wish there was a little more into Lisa's story - particularly why she would lose the house....

I absolutely loved this book! I am a huge fan of the alternating timelines and how they eventually come together! I thought it was a little slow to start but boy did it pick up...I couldn’t put this one down because I needed to know more about both of the main characters. I love how even though it’s fiction, there’s a little bit of history mixed in also.
A sign of a really great book to me is when I get to the end and don’t want it to end, That is how I felt with this book. Diane Chamberlain left me wanting just a little bit more even though I was completely satisfied. Thank You to Net Galley for providing the digital ARC for this book. I loved it!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have read several of Diane Chamberlain's books before and enjoyed them. The same can be said of this book. Her books always have different themes but are always a good read. The story is about two women, Morgan in present day and Anna in 1940. In 1940 Anna won a contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, NC. Switching back to present day, Morgan is hired to refurbish the painting. There are several disturbing features to the painting that make you wonder what Anna's story is. The book switches back and forth from 1940 to present day pretty much in each chapter, so there is no confusion about who you are reading about. Morgan and Anna both have problems that they have to deal with but in different ways and times. There are many secrets hidden in the painting and Morgan works to try to find out what they are. The book is full of mystery and history.

This was the first book by Diane Chamberlin that I’ve read, but it will definitely not be my last. I appreciate Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Told in alternating perspectives, Big Lies in a Small Town follows two artists, Anna Dale in 1940 and Morgan Christopher in 2018, while in the town of Edenton, North Carolina. In 1940, Anna Dale is commissioned to create a mural for the Edenton Post Office, but along the way something happens and the mural is never displayed and Anna never heard from again. In 2018, Morgan Christopher is released from prison on parole to restore Anna Dale’s mural for a gallery opening and becomes intrigued to learn more about Anna and what happened in 1940.

I enjoy dual perspectives so this one really catered to my tastes. The two characters stories were woven together really well. The mystery surrounding what happened to Anna Dale during her time creating the mural was satisfying and I would consider it a “cozy” mystery. The author describes the artistic process and techniques in great detail and I was prepared for it to be too much, but I was really interested in it and I feel like the shorter chapters kept the story moving at a good pace.

Look out for this one on January 14.

The lives of two women are brought together decades apart by a post office mural. In 1939, Anna Dale won a national contest to paint a mural for a small town post office in NC. In 2018, Morgan Christopher is hired to restore the mural. All those years ago, Anna disappeared. As Morgan works on the painting, she discovers small town secrets, lies, deception, hostility. She becomes determined to not only finish the restoration on time for opening of an art gallery in the town, but to find out the truth about what happened to Anna Dale.

This book sucked me in from the first page, and I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out the truth before I put the book down! Very entertaining and suspenseful! I'm not going to say anything more about the plot to prevent any spoilers.

The chapters alternate between the two women...Anna and Morgan....with the stories coming together at the end. Usually I really don't like time jumps back and forth like that....but with Diane Chamberlain at the helm, it worked perfectly this time.

Very enjoyable story....kept me guessing until the ending. And the end did not disappoint!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed ar entirely my own.**

Wow! Just wow! I just finished Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. Chamberlain has created a Masterpiece. Set in Edenton, North Carolina, the story is set in two time periods through the voices of Anna Dale (1940) and Morgan Christopher 2018. I love how I always learn a little history in Diane’s novels. The story is full of strong characters. This story could be described as a mystery and characters seeking redemption. You owe it to yourself to read this amazing story. I am sure bookclubs are going to love this story as there is lots to discuss. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this book. Unfortunately I don’t quite have a rave review but it was still an enjoyable read. I loved learning about the history of the town. Anna was so strong and brave. She moved out to a new town and painted a mural despite not being the towns first choice. She made friends and taught others what she knew. She also took in Jesse. Jesse and her were a team to TBR reckoned with. Parts of the story dragged a little bit but I was still eager to find out how the story ended. I wish there was a picture of the mural somewhere. I also wish there was more to the ending. I’d really like to know more about what happened to the girl that Morgan hit.

Diane Chamberlain has done it again! What a fantastic book! This really is storytelling at its absolute best. Two equally compelling storylines woven seamlessly together. 2018 Morgan is in a North Carolina prison convicted of a crime she did not commit. When she is approached with an opportunity to get out of jail if she is willing to restore a 70-year-old mural, she jumped at the chance. The only problem is Morgan is not certain she has the skill set to do the restoration and there is a time crunch. The Mystery is that her working on this restoration was a stipulation in the will of Jesse Jameson a famous artist. An artist that Morgan has no known tie to. 1939 Anna is a struggling artist in New Jersey. When she enters and wins a contest to paint a mural on a PostOffice wall she temporarily relocates to North Carolina. When she reaches North Carolina she is met with much resistance and is surprised by the overt racism and misogyny. The mural was never finished and the rumor is that Anna went crazy and fled with the mural.

What a beautiful story the perfect blend of mystery and history. Both Morgan and Anna were strong sassy characters who I found quite relatable. I found the art restoration parts extremely fascinating and that is a credit to Miss Chamberlain because that is definitely not an area of interest to me. I loved how as the mural became more clear so did Anna‘s character as well as the events that took place 70 years ago. A brilliant book from an exceptional author!

This book in emojis: 🎨 🖌 🗝

*** Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***

Wow. Just wow. After I’ve sat with it for a while, I will just say that it completely engrossed me. History entwined with present day. Resilience. Love. Tragedy. Race issues. Faith in humanity can be restored. Smooth and energetic writing. A riveting storyline. Highly recommend. Author has obviously done a great deal of research in order to have such a good handle of the art and town. Highly recommend.