Big Lies in a Small Town: A Novel

Diane Chamberlain

Jan 2020 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

From New York Times bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes a novel of chilling intrigue, a decades-old disappearance, and one woman’s quest to find the truth...

“A novel about arts and secrets...grippingly told...pulls readers toward a shocking conclusion.”—People magazine, Best New Books

North Carolina, 2018:
Morgan Christopher's life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, her dream of a career in art is put on hold—until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will get her released from prison immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration, but desperate to be free, 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 in great need of 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?

“Chamberlain, a master storyteller, keeps readers hooked, with a story line that leavens history and social commentary with romance and mystery.”—Lexington Dispatch

Ratings and reviews

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.

I received a free ARC electronic copy of this excellent novel from Netgalley, Diane Chamberlain, and MacMillan, publisher. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my personal, honest opinion of this work. Big Lies in a Small Town is an exceptional tale, told very well. Another tale told in two timelines, both in the small town of Edenton, North Carolina. Diane Chamberlain puts you right there, that time, that place. She brings us both the good and the bad of that time and makes you understand why every generation of 'Southern' is so fondly remembered. The United States Treasury Department, 48 States Mural Competition was a part of the New Deal Program set up by Franklin D. Roosevelt to help bridge the public through the depression in the 1930s. Many artists submitted their concept of a mural for their post office, touting the town and surrounding areas. Many small towns in the south competed in this New Deal competition. Some still have their murals on display in their post offices in 2020, and some have brought them back out in the 21st century. A lot of the artists awarded already had a fairly broad recognition in the arts. Not Anna - she was just beginning her journey into the arts and was already a step behind. From the autumn of 1939, we peek into the life of Anna Dale, a just-graduated Yankee art student who recently lost her mother. Her New Deal submission was for her hometown of Bordertown, New Jersey, which had already been awarded to another New Deal artist, but her submission was well-liked by the judges, and she was awarded the mural for the Edenton, North Carolina Post Office. Now she would need to submit a new concept for Edenton, received approval from the committee overseeing the mural awards; make a black and white 6'x12' paper cartoon of the concept and have a photo of that approved before she can begin the actual canvas mural. She drives herself to North Carolina, leaving her college slacks behind - this is the south, after all - to study the town and make her belated submission in the competition for Edenton. This competition could give her life purpose again - her newly-minted college degree in Art isn't much help in a depression, the loss of her mother rides heavily on her shoulders and her muse is in hiding. But can she do this? All she is sure of is that she must try... Those chapters taking place in the present time are told in the first person of Morgan Christopher, a young artist, a woman imprisoned after a DUI accident involving a pedestrian that left the young pedestrian paralyzed. Sentenced to one to three years jail time, Morgan is offered the chance to end her incarceration with the imminent completion of one year served if she will agree to begin restitution, remain under the supervision of a parole officer and an alcohol sensitive ankle bracelet, attend AA meetings frequently AND agree to do some work she is 'uniquely qualified' to do. She will receive a salary that will cover her living and court expenses, but there is a nearly impossible deadline for the completion of this work that if met satisfactorily will fulfill the requirements of her release and she will be paid fifty thousand dollars for the work. The problem is she has no idea who these people needing her help are, nor what she might be uniquely positioned to achieve... All she does know is that the artist, now deceased, offering this pass on more jail time is a man who's work she is aware of and respects very much. But can she do this? All she is sure of is that she must try...

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain Intricately woven story that moves seamlessly between1940 and 2018 – I was captivated from the beginning and could not stop reading till the very end. The first scene had me wondering what had happened and though I did not find out immediately I learned in due time. Two women brought together by one mural – one created it and one will restore it – both live for a time in the same small North Carolina town while working and both have life altering experiences. What I liked: * The way the story unfolds...I don’t usually like alternating chapters taking place in different eras but this worked seamlessly and was perfectly * Anna – the woman from the North sent to the South to create a mural for the post office. She was so intelligent, focused and giving...really liked her * Morgan – she had a tough life but was so willing to work hard and do things right. I enjoyed getting to know her and feel she has a future to be proud of...and a HEA to look forward to * Jesse – in addition to being a superb artist he was a great friend and mentor to many * Jesse’s family – I would love to have visited with more than one of them * The idea of second chances * Learning so much about murals – how they are painted and restored – almost makes me want to paint on in my own house * Everything except what I did not like… What I did not like: * The bigotry, racism and male attitude in the 40’s (though not sure how much better it is now) * The way Anna & Morgan were hurt by men * Having to say goodbye to the characters at the end of the book Did I enjoy this book? Definitely Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

About the author

Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times and international bestselling author of The Stolen Marriage, The Dream Daughter, and Big Lies in a Small Town. She lives in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie.