Big Lies in a Small Town: A Novel

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.

Big Lies In A Small Town is the nineteenth stand-alone novel by award-winning American author, Diane Chamberlain. Two very different twenty-two-year-old women, two very different times. In mid-2018, Morgan Christopher's literal get-out-of-jail card comes from the estate of well-known African-American artist and philanthropist, Jesse Jameson Williams. A year into her three-year prison sentence, Jesse's lawyer gets Morgan parole under certain strict conditions, the most important being that Morgan has to complete the restoration of a mural in just under two months.

In late 1939, New Jersey art school graduate, Anna Dale wins a national competition to paint a mural for the Post Office in the small North Carolina town of Edenton. It's not the commission she'd hoped for, but with her mother recently deceased, Anna doesn't have the luxury of choice: times are hard and she needs a job.

Anna makes the trip to Edenton, where she learns that, not only is her win resented by some townspeople, but many have firm ideas for the mural's subject. But, quite contrary to her original intentions, Anna finds herself staying in Edenton, getting to know the townspeople and painting her mural right there with the help of local art students.

As she has no experience with restoring art, Morgan has no idea why she was selected. Jesse's prickly daughter, Lisa is adamant that the deadline as laid down by Jesse's will cannot be extended. Jesse is described as "Very passionate about the people he cared for. But demanding. And fussy… a kind man. A very loving man… But he was also very controlling." Lisa also mentions something about the mural sending the original artist crazy.

When Morgan first sees the mural, she feels overwhelmed by what is expected of her: it is dirty and badly damaged in places. As she cleans it, Morgan uncovers some bizarre features that have her itching to find out more about the enigmatic creator of the work. And all along, Morgan, Lisa and Oliver, the curator of Jesse's about-to-open gallery, wonder about the significance to Jesse of this strange mural.

Diane Chamberlain is a proven author, and the reader immediately feels in safe hands. Her characters are multi-faceted, her plot is easily believable with plenty of intrigue to keep the pages turning. The story features sexism, racial prejudice and alcoholism, and explores privilege and disadvantage; there are twists and surprises. This is a compelling mystery and a heart-warming read.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and St Martins Press