Book Review
Big Lies in a Small Town
Diane Chamberlain
Book Description:
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.
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.
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?
Buy Now:
My 5-Star Review:
An amazing story written by a talented author. Big Lies
in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain takes the reader on a journey through
time between 1940 and today. When Morgan Christopher is released from jail to
restore an old mural, she is confused as to why she was chosen. And after she
sees how damaged the mural is, she wonders how she will do a good job of it
with her limited talent of restoration. But others are depending on her to not
only finish it, but finish it on time. And as she works on it, she becomes
intrigued by the original artist, Anna Dale, who’d created the mural in 1940.
Her interest soon becomes an obsession to learn what had become of the artist after
tragedy had befallen both her and the small town.
Just like the mural, this story is full of layers about the small
town of Edenton, North Carolina and its inhabitants. Mystery, murder, and a
touch of a love story all combine to create a story that you just can’t put
down. Those who love a good duel-timeline historical novel will love this book.
About the Author:
Diane Chamberlain is the New
York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 27
novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book
almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she
wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing
fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s
appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly
hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole.
Please visit Diane's website at www.dianechamberlain.com for her event schedule and for more information on her newest novel, Big Lies in a Small Town, as well as a complete list of her books.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole.
Please visit Diane's website at www.dianechamberlain.com for her event schedule and for more information on her newest novel, Big Lies in a Small Town, as well as a complete list of her books.
