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Big Lies in a Small Town cover art

Big Lies in a Small Town

By: Diane Chamberlain
Narrated by: Susan Bennett
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Summary

Big Lies in a Small Town, by the internationally best-selling author Diane Chamberlain, is a sweeping novel about two women connected by a painting that holds many dark secrets.

North Carolina, 2018: Morgan Christopher’s life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, she finds herself serving a three year stint in the North Carolina Women’s Correctional Centre. Her dream of a career in the arts is put on hold – until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will see her released immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration but, desperate to leave prison, 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 desperate for 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 for 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?

©2020 Diane Chamberlain (P)2020 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

"Fans of Jodi Picoult’s style will love how Diane Chamberlain writes." (Candis)

"Narrator Susan Bennett offers a moving performance of this multilayered story of two women whose lives are affected by a New Deal art mural. Portraying Morgan, Bennett's voice has a tone of artistic sensitivity. When Anna's life spirals out of control, she adds feverish intensity. For the locals, Bennett superbly delivers a languid Southern drawl. Overall, Bennett adds an exciting dimension to a gripping story of racism, madness, murder, and even romance." (J.E.S, AudioFile)

What listeners say about Big Lies in a Small Town

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    4 out of 5 stars

Two timelines, both equally interesting

This was a gripping dual timeline novel which kept my interest throughout - in spite of some rather unlikely circumstances, such a request that an art restoration project be undertaken by someone with no experience (even at trainee level) of this very specialised profession. One factor which contributed to my enjoyment was Diane Chamberlain's creation of two equally interesting timelines - a rare phenomenon, as I am sure you will agree. I was always keen to get to know both sets of characters better, to solve the mystery of artist Anna Dale's disappearance in the 1940s and to see how Morgan Christopher could even begin to undertake the restoration in 2018. The descriptions of both Anna's methods in working on the original art work, a post office mural, and of Morgan's attempts to restore it, which might have slowed down the narrative, enhanced the reading experience. Another major plus point was Susan Bennett's excellent narration which made it clear who each character was and brought to life Morgan in particular.

So, why withhold the fifth star, when the novel was clearly hitting the mark in so many respects? One reason is the lack of credibility of some scenarios - including one relating to the final reveal - and another is the element of predictability of some aspects of the plot. However, narrating two equally engrossing timelines is such a rarity, that overall, I would rate the novel at 4.5 stars.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

Easy to listen too and engaging story, if a little predictable. Would recommend as a beach read.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

What a great book

This was so out of my usual genre but it was so enjoyable It's great when you find such a gem Brilliant story absolutely mesmerizing Couldn't put it down Originality was eye-opening but so well written and narrated
Don't usually like Celebrity endorsed books but wow Reece Witjespoon collection so far has been exceptional

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Love Diane Chamberlain

I absolutely loved this book as do I love all Diane Chamberlain and the narration is fantastic.

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Sooo dull

I normally love Diane’s books but really struggled to get through this, I kept waiting for the exciting part to start but it never did

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Riveting read!

Love this book - the reader seems to be able to bring the story to life. I live getting lost in their stories.

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Excelent!

Loved the story line. Captivating!
The reading is soothing and it's easy to follow. I heartily recommend it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Worth all thirteen hours and twenty minutes spent

The stories of Anna 1940 and Morgan in 2018, are easy to follow. Both of their lives linked by the love and expression of their art; just as both females were linked. I enjoyed both parts of the story as they are clearly defined by the way this manuscript was cleverly constructed. The narrator handled both male and female, the aged and youthful voices with care, She herself deserving of great accolades along with the Author. Together the book came alive. The book has whispers of a historic documentary as well as a bloody good contemporary read. Diane managed to squeeze every emotion from me. I applaud them both.
This book I chose on my husbands Audible as we share a desk. I shall be seeking out more of @DianeChamberlain to read You will regret not reading or listening to this.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Different

Enjoyed the book, beautifully narrated, story was a little weak at times. Love this author though.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The story was absolutely brilliant I really enjoyed it

Nothing at all it’s a good book I loved listening to it couldn’t wait go to work to listen to it

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