Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN by Diane Chamberlain is the first novel I recall reading by this author although she has written numerous other works of women’s fiction which have been well-received.  I chose this title because I was intrigued by her obvious popularity and by the “mystery” associated with this story.  I liked that the novel took place in two periods, although the physical location, Edenton, North Carolina, was the same.

Chamberlain develops the story of Anna Dale, winner of a federal government sponsored project to create a Post Office mural in the early 1940s.  There is tension because a local artist had also submitted a sketch that was rejected.  Plus, Anna is a transplant from New Jersey and the townspeople need time to warm up to her.  She goes a long way by inviting them to come see her paint and by employing two high school boys, Peter and Jessie, to help with her work creating the mural.  The parallel story takes place in 2018 and involves Morgan Christopher, an aspiring artist on parole due to an automobile accident. It is Morgan who faces a tight deadline to restore the mural.

Both women are in their early twenties and trying to find themselves, to develop their talents, and to deal with prejudices in the local community. A bit repetitive at times, BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN is certainly a quick and informative read and the ending had a surprising (if convenient) twist.  I think the information about art restoration was obviously well-researched and explained clearly, adding to the enjoyment of this novel.