Diane Chamberlain strikes again with a wonderful story. This one involves two artists decades apart. In the present day, Morgan is in prison for a DWI where someone was injured. She is released on parole to restore a mural that was painted in 1940 by Anna, a young artist who won the opportunity to paint a mural to be placed in the Post Office of Edenton. We learn a lot about these two women and their lives. This author is a master at character development. As the mural is restored and strange things show up in the original painting, we learn how alike these women really are. This is a must read. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book for my opinion.

I am honored to have had the chance to read this book before it’s published. Honestly, it was just that good! From the prolog until the last page, it gripped me. Rich, believable characters draw you into to the artistic worlds of Anna/Jesse and Morgan/Oliver. Told by two narrators, one from the 1940’s and from from 2018. Sometimes you have to face your past, forgive yourself and move on. Do not miss this masterpiece from Diane Chamberlain

Interesting and different.. I like the mural story as it unwinds. We have the history and every other chapter tells the story of the restoration and the restorer. So 2 stories in one book. I like how the author ties if all together at the end. Well done!

This book grabbed my attention from the very first page. The stories of both main characters, Megan and Anna, are very interesting and I came to care about both of them. The mural at the center of the story was fascinating as it is revealed one section at a time. I have read all of Diane Chamberlain's books and for me this was one of her best!

This mystery kept me engrossed until the very end. It was well written, flowed well and had a great storyline. The characters were so well described and I think it would make a great movie.
Morgan is in prison, but has the chance of getting out if she agrees to restore a mural for the small town of Edenton. As it involves art, which is her dream, she accepts. When she finally gets to see the mural she is shocked at its condition and feels that she cannot take on this huge project, but slowly she uncovers the secrets held under the layers of peeling paint, and the story that the picture tells.

Diane Chamberlain is a great author and I love her books. This one did not disappoint me. This is an awesome book! I got into it from page 1 until the end.

I really loved this book. There were so many things that made it worth reading and I really loved the details that Ms. Chamberlain threw in. Put this one on your TBR list, you won't regret it!

This was my third book from the author and I think I will place it in between the other two, not my favourite (the dream daughter will probably retain this position for a long time) but I probably loved it better than Cypres point.

As always Diane Chamberlain is very good at portraying characters that I will remember for a long time, they have their own stories and personalities and they are likable and relatable. This is her strong point, in my opinion, that makes her book a pleasure to read, even if I have to admit after my third novel that I'd like them a little shorter. There wasn't any place where the story dragged or went out of the plot, but still it was a very slow read.

In the end I was left satisfied, the conclusion being sweet and neatly tied up, exactly as I expected (that doesn't mean I had everything sorted out before I read it, just that I knew things will be tied up in a good way because I know the author likes them that way!). The last chapters were impossible to put down, even if I wasn't suprised by how things unfolded I still needed to read!

I would recommended to people like me who can appreciate a slow burner and don't need to be suprised by the ending as long as it's sweet, happy and a bit moving.

I loved this book!!! Chamberlain is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. I loved the story from the past and the story of the present. I loved how the stories were brought together. I cant wait for this book to come out because my patrons will love it.

Recently I have discovered I enjoy books that are written in a dual timeline format and Big Lies in a Small Town didn't disappoint. The story started when Anna Dale won an art contest back in 1939 and was commissioned to paint a mural that was to hang in the Edenton Post Office. Then we meet Morgan Christopher, a recent parolee that was chosen to restore Anna's mural in time for the grand opening of a recently deceased artist. This was my first book by the author Diane Chamberlain and you can bet it won't be my last. I loved the story, and the characters, and the ending had a nice little twist, too.

4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance e-reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I LOVED it! I was immediately intrigued by the alternating chapters: one telling the story of an artist who painted a mural in 1940 and the other a art student hired to restore the same mural in 2018. The mural holds some secrets, both literally and figuratively.

Review also posted on GoodReads

Past and present entwine in a rich and compelling novel glittering with Diane Chamberlain's hallmark signatures of character and poignancy. The heartbeat of this story is its suspense, but what will linger in the reader's mind are its wonderfully nuanced characters.

I have read several of this author's books and really have enjoyed them all. This book was no exception. The story is told in alternating past and present character view points. 2018 Morgan has just gotten released for a crime she did not commit. Upon her conditional release she starts to restore an old mural on a post office. While doing this the story of 1940 Anna steps in. The book transpires about what secrets are being hidden in this town and Morgan fighting her demons to figure them out. Overall this was great for a slow weekend read. The writing was excellent and the story really drew you in.

Another great read by Diane Chamberlain!

Diane Chamberlain’s new novel, “Big Lies in a Small Town” is a story about two women decades apart. Set in 1940 and present day, Morgan in 2018 and Anna in 1940, the chapters alternate as the story and secrets unfold.
Morgan is given an opportunity to get out of jail if she restores an old damaged mural. As she does, she discovers the history and secrets of the mural and the truth about what happened to Anna many years before. I love a book that has secrets to reveal from long ago.

This was a great book with a nice twist at the end. I recommend!

I was immersed in this book from page one. Chamberlain weaves two timelines into a tapestry of a story. The small town itself is very thought provoking with all of the sensitive issues found there. Well done.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

A mural depicting every day life in Edenton, NC is the connection between two young women. Anna designed and painted it; almost 80 years later it is Morgan's task to repair it in time to be featured in a new gallery. In alternate chapters from each woman's point of view we see how the mural came to be painted and what happened that made restoration necessary. Why had Morgan been chosen to do the restoration work? She was totally inexperienced with no qualifications. What happened to Anna? She seemed to have disappeared, never to be heard of again. It was said that she went crazy but no one knows for sure. And what do either one of the women have to do with famous artist Jesse Williams?

The mystery really picks up speed as it races to the end!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected pub date: January 14, 2020
Morgan Christopher believes she has been given the gift of a lifetime when a mysterious stranger releases her from jail, making her a free woman. The only stipulation—she has to finish restoring a mural that was completed years ago, in half the time that it would normally take. Scrambling to complete the mural, Morgan becomes intrigued by the original artist, Anna Dale, and the interesting (if not strange) secret messages she seems to have placed in random places throughout her painting.
Anna Dale has just been declared the winner of an art contest and is now responsible for painting a mural representing the small town of Edenton, a town she has never visited. As she explores the town to get her inspiration, she comes face-to-face with racism, jealousy and small town life that take her way out of her comfort zone.
Diane Chamberlain’s new novel, “Big Lies in a Small Town” is a delightful, beautifully written juxtaposition of two women connected by one passion (art), faced with similar challenges and struggles decades apart.
Both Anna and Morgan are flawed but honest, both are placed in situations they feel undeserving of, both are determined to put their brave faces on and overcome the obstacles of both society and their personal and romantic lives and fight against others’ doubts.
Although I can honestly say I have no interest, no understanding and no overall knowledge of art, this novel still managed to connect with me, as it will with any reader who has a deep, passionate love for a life changing “hobby” (*cough* reading *cough*).
The novel is well-told, set in a small town of North Carolina both in the 1940s and today, where rumours are readily flying (albeit with different subject matter) and everyone knows everybody else. Chamberlain has the ability to transport her readers to the era and location of her novels, regardless of whether they were actually experienced by the reader.
I actually had a pretty good idea of how this novel would end, and was able to guess the connection between Anna and Morgan pretty quickly. This did not take away from enjoying the experience of this novel however and, like most of Chamberlain’s work, it was a beautiful experience indeed!

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was so mysterious and eerie that it made me love it even more. I am an absolute fan of books that uncover and unlock secrets that have been stowed away and the key to uncover all the lies on the city that Anna has painted in 1940 when Morgan who is destined to get out of jail is offered an opportunity of a lifetime to restore that original mural and discover the history and secrets the mural possesses including the truth about Anna and what happened to her and where she is now. The art lover in me loved this book and understood the terminology Diane Chamberlain used to reflect the artwork and imagery behind the story. I am a fan of Diane's work so this was a real treat to read and I know our patrons in the community love her work as well.

We will consider adding this title to our Adult Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Just when I think there is no way she can do it again. Wow. Loved loved this book. Highly recommend.

Diane Chamberlain has done it again!! This is a great book with a fabulous twist at the end. I highly recommend Big Lies in a Small Town.