Big Lies in a Small Town

by Diane Chamberlain

[kimbacaffeinate]

I love slipping into one of Chamberlain’s books. I never really know what interesting tidbits I will discover, nor the characters I will meet. I was concerned when I first met Morgan Christopher. I have this habit of not reading the blurb. Had I done so, I would have realized immediately she was in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. However, I came to like this shy artist, and I quickly became caught up in her and the work she was doing.

The second character we meet is Anna Dale, and the year is 1940. Anna hails from New Jersey and has recently lost her mother, when she learns she has won a prestigious art contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Wanting to do the job right, she drives to the small town and ends up staying there while she paints.

The tale that unfolds weaves back and forth as Morgan restores a painting and Anna paints one. It was captivating, atmospheric and rich in details. Chamberlain not only paints a vivid picture of the south both past and present, she shines light on social ladders, rape, racism, mental illness, and more while giving readers a mystery to chew on.

The writing had a wonderful flow and the transition from past to present was seamless. Although admittedly I found myself compelled by both storylines, it was Anna’s that was gripping and had me on edge. In the end, the timelines came together, and rewards the reader with answers to lingering questions and a fitting ending. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer