Big Lies in a Small Town: A Novel

Written by Diane Chamberlain

Narrated by Susan Bennett

"Narrator Susan Bennett offers a moving performance of this multilayered story of two women whose lives are affected by a WPA mural...Overall, Bennett adds an exciting dimension to a gripping story of racism, madness, murder, and even romance." — AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

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…

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?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

Praise for Big Lies in a Small Town:

"Chamberlain’s depictions of creative beauty and perseverance across time and in the face of inevitable obstacles will keep readers turning the pages."—Publishers Weekly

"Chamberlain’s writing is reminiscent of a quilt made up of pieces from different people, places, and times, stitched together into a single, emotional story."—Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781250259912

Diane Chamberlain

Diane Chamberlain is the bestselling author of twenty novels, including The Midwife's Confession and The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Diane lives in North Carolina and is currently at work on her next novel. Visit her Web site at www.dianechamberlain.com and her blog at www.dianechamberlain.com/blog and her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Diane.Chamberlain.Readers.Page.

Reviews for Big Lies in a Small Town

[Lorraine Hartmann · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I LOVED the parallel stories of the two women.

[Catharine Mannion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I have listened to! I will recommend to everyone!

[Kathy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story perfect audio thank you, I very much enjoyed the journey.

[sue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this book. Character and plot development were wonderful; I really wanted to know what happened to the characters and looked forward to listening to it as I gardened. I was sorry to reach the end of this book as it was so vivid.

[Mary Lou Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story and really held me and my husband to the finish.

[Alisa Johnsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Diane chamberlain knows how to write a riveting story. I listened to it twice. Lived it both times!

[Sharon Mistele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really had a hard time putting it down. I became a fan of the artist Jesse who found a way to help so many young artists. And the one he chose depicted in this novel was so young with so much “history” already yet a basic goodness.

[BJ Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the BEST narrator I've ever heard. I'm very particular about the narrators, and cannot continue a book if the narration is off kilter. This one was 100% perfect, and made it so easy to be completely engrossed in this story for hours! This is one of the best books I've ever read. Maybe THE best. Fascinating and mysterious and endearing. Never a good stopping place, every chapter made me want to read another chapter. No filler, no lull in the story. I was riveted. I've never said that before. Diane Chamberlain is at the top of my list.

[Cheryl Morrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was really emotional with this book. It was making me sad and mad and I even tried to quit listening to it... but I went back and finished it and it didn’t disappoint... but I haven’t read or listened to a Diane chamberlain book that I hated. All the love between two characters that were just friends was so refreshing. I didn’t care for the language. But. I might have said a bad word too in some of those circumstances... anyway. Glad I went back and finished ... and the ending couldn’t have been better...

[rmhaynes8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's been a while, since I've read/heard such a charming book. The only part I didn't like was the rape, but I guess it was needed for the ending. A story of true forgiveness, making peace with the past and moving on to live a fulfilling life.

[Teri Gillams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Complexed storyline that drew me in right away! Loved the story!

[Tineke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book itself is very engaging, well thought out and pleasantly written. The narration is spot on.

[Christy Robinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story started slowly, I assume to develop the characters, but was woven masterfully keeping me in suspense once I grasped who the characters were in relationship to the story. The story itself was heartfelt and powerful. I felt attached to all of the characters at the end of the story and the ending was perfect, giving the reader/listener the option of wondering how things would turn out, but also giving enough of the story to feel satisfying.

[Eric Holsen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great characters, intriguing story. I got hooked and couldn't wait to hear more.

[Jacoba Bishop · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A touching and imaginative story - I really enjoyed it....

[Becca Brisiel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time!

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read many books by Diane Chamberlain, but very much liked the ones I have read. This one was no exception. These are the stories of two young women living in very different times, yet with a mysterious bond that's revealed as we learn their stories. Chamberlain takes us back and forth in time in Edenton, NC, a small coastal town that does, indeed, have its share of secrets and lies. She gives us a feel for what small town life might've been like in 1940, the good and the bad. And there's a nice mystery involving the young woman who disappeared after moving from New Jersey to North Carolina in late 1939 to paint a historical mural for the post office in Edenton, and disappears before she can complete it. I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to many more reads from Diane Chamberlain. I did listen to much of it, and the narration was excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

[Addison Cook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this story. I was actually painting a mural while listening, and whenever I think of the painting, I will think of this book. Loved all the little offshoots/details of the characters’ lives. Thank you for this charming book.