Morgan is in jail for a crime she didn’t commit when she is offered an opportunity to get out early. She is approached by the daughter of a well known artist and philanthropist. In his will he specified that Morgan should restore an old mural. The deadline is tight to get the work finished and Morgan has no experience but can’t pass up the opportunity to get out of prison early. As Morgan works on the mural she becomes curious about the painter.

This book goes from the past to the present with the chapters telling the stories of Anna in the past and Morgan in the present. There are a lot of interesting characters in the book. I liked how the author brought the two stories come together in the end. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have become a big fan of Diane Chamberlain over the past few years, so I was so excited to receive an early copy of Big Lies in a Small Town. This book alternates seamlessly between two women's point of view and time periods. In 1940, Anna Dale has won an art competition to paint a post office mural in the small town of Edenton. She decides to move there for the time it takes to paint the mural in order to immerse herself in the town's life and history. Most townspeople are welcoming, but others are openly hostile, feeling that the mural should be painted by a local artist. Anna's career and life are threatened in an incident that will change her life forever.
2018- Morgan Christopher is a young woman serving a prison sentence for a crime she didn't commit. When a woman named Lisa presents an offer to get out of jail if she will restore an old painting for her father's gallery, Morgan jumps at the chance. The catch is that the restoration has to be finished by a deadline or she will be returned to prison to finish her sentence...and she has no experience in art restoration!
This is such a good book! As Morgan started the restoration and more of the painting is revealed, I could actually picture it in my mind. I really didn't like Lisa so I was glad she wasn't a central character in the book. I loved the small town feel of the book, past and present. I think this author could take any topic and build a fascinating story around it! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it.

In the present day, Morgan has found herself serving time for a crime her boyfriend committed. When the daughter of an eccentric artist visits her with an offer to restore an old post office mural in exchange for her freedom, she jumps at the opportunity. In 1940, New Jersey artist Anna has won a national contest to paint a mural for a post office in North Carolina. When she arrives in town, she is shocked by the prejudice and local politics that she encounters. Back in the present day, Morgan discovers that the mural was never installed in the post office, in large part because the artist went mad.

This was an interesting and quick paced read. The two storylines worked very well together. My only criticism is that everything came together a bit too easily at the end. Overall, this is a book well worth reading, 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was interesting from the very beginning and kept me deeply engaged! Wow I didn’t see that end coming. I have read a lot of Diane Chamberlain books and once again she didn’t not disappoint! Thank you for the opportunity to read this early!

Diane Chamberlain has done it again. She writes book that suck you and keep you until the end (and you are always sad for the book to end). Morgan's story and Anna's story were so intriguing. How would this two stories combine? Why would Jesse Jameson Williams seek Morgan out and help her? What was his motivation for helping young artists throughout his career? Why is a mural from 1960 so important for the opening of his gallery? Would we even get the answer to these question since not even the artists he helps know the answer? I enjoyed my time with these characters and was sad to bid them farewell when I got to the last page.

I loved this book! I feel like I become so invested in the lives of Morgan and Anna. I was rooting for both of them. I was so afraid that Anna's ending was going to gut me. She had been through so much and I didn't know if she didn't get the life I hoped for her if I would be able to cope. Without giving anything away if was a better outcome than even I had wanted.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. Opinions are my own

Wow! What an engrossing and well written book! This is possibly my first Chamberlain book, but definitely not my last. She knows how to write a compelling, riveting book that had me very engrossed and was absolutely unputdownable. The characters were developed so well, I felt as though I really knew them and that made me needing to find out what happens. I highly recommend!
Will make sure I let everyone know to grab a copy of this book!

First, thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the chance of reading this book. It will be a top read for me this year.

Big Lies in a Small Town was such a treat to read. Each chapter and the details included were very intentional. It was a slow build up of a mystery that had never been solved. Not only did we have questions of a mystery, but we had a bit of history as well. It was fantastically done and the characters were superb. I found myself totally intrigued with the small town and the characters that surrounded the "main" characters.

This book is told in two character's POV. Anna's POV is from the 1940's. She was a talented, albeit young (and a woman) artist that had been picked to create a Post Office mural for a place that was not her home. Her art spoke for itself and she was chosen from many entrants. Unfortunately, the fact that she isn't a resident of the town and she is a woman does not sit well with some of the local townfolk. While there she becomes close to a few locals and takes on a couple high school students as her "interns". One of those interns is a man by the name of Jesse Jameson Williams. He is a man of color, but she sees the talent in him. Their friendship and their connection absolutely touched me. Especially told from this time in America.

-'She didn't want to save him. She just wanted him to have the same chance as everyone else.'

The second POV is in the present from a woman named Morgan. She is a woman that has made some poor decisions in life, but ended up in a place she never thought she would be. She had been wronged my many people in life. But when she is given the chance at freedom by a famous artist that is recently deceased, she can't help but take it. Even if it means diving into a project that is so beyond her talent. She has been picked for a reason, but how was she chosen? Why her? Why now?

"You have to make peace with the past or you can never move into the future."

This story is beautiful, even in it's darkness. It's about two women and their redemption in life. It's about a man that could give others a second chance. It's about the people you surround yourself with and the goodness in people. I was completely drawn in from the beginning of chapter one. I was invested in learning more about Morgan, more about Anna and more about Jesse. What was their connection? How was art going to play a role in everyone's life? It wasn't a heart pounding page turner, but a page turner where you wanted to know answers. Where you wanted to put the connections together and understand the history. Where you wanted everyone to find their peace.

Diane Chamberlain told this story from the past and present and focused on two females and their lives. She held me captive and made me a part of these character's lives for a few hours. The story flowed well and it worked within the scope of the timeline. I loved the side characters and I enjoyed everyone's side stories. The good, the bad and the ugly. It all made up them.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It has a little bit of everything. From mystery, history, art and even a bit of romance. There is something for everyone in this book and it is all written well. Come take a chance on this small town book that will leave you feeling a part of the story.

This is another great book by this author. In this book, Morgan Christopher, a young lady who was wrongly incarcerated, is released from prison on the condition that she restore a mural in a short amount of time. She has no experience in this kind of work but her name was part of a conditional will. She sets to work learning all she can about restoration but also gets drawn into the mystery for why certain disturbing images are present in the mural. She works on both the mystery and the mural until she finds out the truth about the artist Anna Dale. This truth changes Morgan's life. Reading about Morgan's struggles as she tries to make amends for her guilt while she tries to uncover the mystery surrounding the mural was engrossing.

I had an ARC of this book from Netgalley. I’ve read her work before and I love this author. This book sucked me in on the first few pages. It was a ebook copy and I usually steer clear of those because I like a book in my hands.
This book was centered around art and artists and history. It was about your behavior in the past and redemption. I enjoyed most of the characters with the exception of Martin. The main characters Morgan is great and you learn to go from feeling bad for her to being proud of her.

As ever, Diane Chamberlain writes a compelling story that kept me reading.
Spanning 1940 to 2018, two woman, Morgan Christopher/Anna Dale, connect through a mural on a wall in Edenton, North Carolina to discover prejudices, small town secrets conspiracies, and violence that led to murder and the sudden disappearance of Morgan.
Morgan in order to get out if jail accepts an assignment ment to restore the mural on the post office wall. Anna painted. What clues are found hidden in the mural that tells what happened to Anna Dale in 1940.

What I love about Diane Chamberlain @diane.chamberlain.author is she quite literally transports me into a different time and in a different life. For this new novel of hers, I was transported to two different timelines in a very industrious small town. It's full of town politics, adversaries and love of the arts. The writing is fantastic which is why I felt like I wasn't even in my house in 2019 LOL. One of the best books I've read this year! In fact, it's definitely in my top two favorite Diane Chamberlain books! The other one is The Secret Sister which I absolutely adored as well. Thank you again @stmartinspress for this wonderful ARC for review! Mark your calendar guys for January 14th!

Diane Chamberlain is fast becoming one of my favorites. I can't help but become engrossed in her novels that seem to transport me to other places and times like a trance. Readers will be thrilled to come across a book written by this author.

In 2018, Morgan is serving time for a crime she didn’t commit. One day she gets a surprise visit from a woman she doesn’t know and an attorney - giving her the ability to get released now on the condition that she goes to work for them in Edenton NC restoring an old mural. Morgan doesn’t know anything about art restoration but was an art major in college and jumps at the opportunity.

In 1939, Anna wins a contest to design a mural for the post office in Edenton NC. The story alternated between the two timelines as we learn about Anna and the mural originally being created at the same time as we watch Morgan restoring it.

I really enjoyed the dual timelines and learning about both women’s lives. I loved the resolution at the ending and what we learned. I didn’t feel as connected to some of Morgan’s interactions and wasn’t as invested in them as I would want to be.

I really loved The Dream Daughter and was so excited to read this. I will definitely be reading more of Chamberlain’s backlist as well! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free advance copy to read and review.

Refined, impressive, effective story-telling and adroitly, meticulously developed two amazing characters and their lyrically interwind stories. I’m giving my historical, provocative, stunning four stars for this intriguing journey!

Two artists from different timelines, suffering from the life choices they made because they cannot control them. Two voices shout at us their heart-wrenching stories and want us listen to them. So let’s hear them out, turning the pages to learn more about those amazing women:

At 2018, in North Carolina, Morgan Christopher is an inmate, serving her prison time for the crime she didn’t even commit ( she took the blame for her shameless boyfriend who truly vanishes as soon as she’s convicted.) gets an offer she cannot refuse! (I know it sounded like Godfather’s signature quote but this offer is truly cannot be rejected!)

One of her favorite famous painter Jesse Jameson’s daughter Lisa (I visualized her as moderate version of Janelle Monae)visits her, accompanied by attorney Andrea Fuller ( a softer version of Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating character). The famous painter recently passed away and in his will he strictly emphasized he requested an old rural’s restoration. And the person who wanted to do this job is : Morgan.
Before he died, Jesse Jameson was working on a special project to give the talented and neglected people have a second chance to prove they can achieve anything they put their minds to. So naturally Morgan accepts the offer even she is not experienced artist about mural restorations. But in two months she will finish her project and she will be paid 50K, and most importantly she will be out of the prison. But she has no idea what kind of compelling and challenging job she’s getting into.

And let’s get back to the other story took place on 1939, in Edenton, North Carolina. This is the story of the artist who created the mural that Morgan is going to work on. ANNA DALE, a talented woman from New Jersey, suffering from deep grief of her recently deceased mother. She won a contest and got an offer to paint a mural for the post office of Edenton. So she drives there to see more about the landscapes. And her journey to the South begins.

She feels anxious because of the town’s people’s dubious and prejudiced approach to her. They are not so happy because their local man, Martin Drappie didn’t win the contest and he lost it against a young, inexperienced WOMAN artist.So you may guess she is not welcomed with open arms to the town. And she disappears after she finished her paint. So many rumors out there talking about her mental illness and she might have suffered from emotional breakdown during her working process.

So what happened to Anna? Could Morgan finish the mural restoration on time and also find what is conclusion of Anna’s story?

No spoilers! Already shut my mouth. You gotta read the rest.
This is so different book when you compare it with “Dream Daughter”. It’s like comparing between tomatoes and watermelons so you’d better skip that process and get ready to read something unique.

This is mostly an emotional, historical reading deals with so many heavy issues starting from racism, women equality, abuse, mental illness but is also questions family bounds, secrets, love and meaning of the life.

It is a greatly depicted, memorable, heartbreaking and powerful story about two strong women! Sometimes pacing was a little slow for me but sometimes it is good to take a break, slow down and absorb the emotions and gather your thoughts.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing me this great ARC COPY in exchange my honest review. I truly enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Diane Chamberlain, but it will not be my last. I usually don’t enjoy books with a back and forth timeline, because I typically can only relate to one of those timelines/character and it feels lopsided. But that was not the case with this book. Both timelines kept my interest and I felt drawn to both characters and their plights. I could relate to the small town life, having lived for several years in a small town in PA and got a little thrill when Anna mentions her trips to Norfolk, since I live in that area. Although the ending was foreshadowed, it did not make Morgan’s discovery in the gallery at the end any less satisfying.

This was a book I wish I could have just set aside a few hours to read straight through but life doesn’t work that way. It was a book that was hard for me to put down and I was always anxious to return to it, albeit in small bits each time. When I finished it was with a sigh of contentment and a bit of distress that I couldn’t continue Morgan’s journey with her. Those are the best books, the ones you are in a hurry to finish yet don’t want to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

Novel background: Diane Chamberlain's latest novel is a dual timeline( 1939/40 & 2018) set in Edenton, North Carolina surrounds the secrets around an unfinished community mural and its troubled artist. In the present, Morgan Christopher is an ex-inmate who is approached to complete the mural that was never completed by New Jersey artist, Anna Dale. As baffled as Morgan is by the endorsement, she soon becomes consumed with the mystery behind the artist's disappearance. In the past, Anna Dale struggles as an outsider to complete her mural, but a local artist isn't taking his rejection well and the townspeople are none to pleased when Anaa confronts the prejudices deep rooted in the community.

I am a big fan of DC( have read all of her books except " Lovers and Strangers") and newcomers can expect a solidly written story with many intriguing characters. But I never felt really interested in the storyline as I found it similiar to a few of her other books. I enjoyed the storyline in the past was much better and I wasn't a huge fan of the relationship that was setup for Morgan. The character had way too much on her plate as it and it felt too predictable.









Goodreads review 15/11/19
Publication Date 14/01/20

Big Lies in a Small Town does a wonderful job of weaving together the stories of two very interesting women. Switching between past and present, I was thoroughly engrossed in this novel and equally interested in both women’s stories. Highly recommend!

The title Big Lies in a Small Town is perfect for this book. The story starts in 2018 with Morgan Christopher’s story. She is in prison for a drunk driving accident that left a woman partially paralyzed. Lisa Williams, whose father Jesse was a famous artist, has come to let Morgan know that she is being paroled. But a condition of her parole is that she move to Edenton North Carolina and restore a 1940’s mural in a short amount of time. The storyline goes back and forth between Morgan in current time and Anna Dale (the original artist) in 1940. As Morgan uncovers more of the painting, we also uncover more of Anna’s story.

The story also hinges on racial tensions in the south in the 1940’s. Anna Dale was white. Jesse Jameson Williams was black. Jesse was a teenager in 1940. He helped Anna with the original mural. The racial aspect was a huge problem for the residents of Edenton.

This book is so well written. I found myself thinking about it on and off all day. I couldn’t wait to get back to reading. I give this book a solid 5 stars!

I am typically a fan of Diane Chamberlain and Big Lies in a Small Town my like for her. While it isn't her best, it is suspenseful, heartwarming, and everything you want in a Chamberlain book. Those interested in art/murals will especially like this one!

I really enjoyed this book. Especially in the beginning. When I was about one third of the way through I said it was going to be in my top books of the year. As it stands right now that is no longer the case but it is still a great read and I recommend you pick it up.

Things I loved-

The Format- I am a sucker for a dual timeline / dual perspective historical fiction. We follow Anna in 1940 and then jump ahead to 2018 and follow Morgan.


The Setting- This book takes place in a small town in NC. I am a small town girl and appreciate a small town setting. I can totally relate to the everyone knowing everyone and the small town gossip that went on.

The Characters- The two main characters Anna and Morgan were both very likable. I think that there were aspects of these characters that a number of people may be able to relate to.
I enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives and did not prefer one over the other.

The Writing- Diane Chamberlin sure can write a book. I can still remember the first book of hers that I picked up ( The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes ) and I cannot wait to read more from her. Chamberlin had me turning pages. At no point did I feel bored or skimming sections of the book to get ahead. I was invested in the plot and the characters completely all the way through.

Why it wasn’t a five star read-
There were things in this book that I found predictable. Things that happened at the end of the book to tie things together that I found convenient. Upon finishing it I think I expected this book to leave a bigger impression on me.

I am very thankful to NetGalley, The author and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.