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Big Lies in a Small Town
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
From bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes an irresistible new novel. 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 Center. Her dream of a career in art is put on holduntil 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 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?
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SilversReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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#NEWYEARNEWBOOKS
@Eggs
@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks
@LitsyEvents
#LitsyEvents

Prompt: ARTIST

HISTORICAL FICTION - MYSTERY

Two women in charge of a mural but not at the same time. 

Anna had won a contest to paint a mural of Edenton for the post office, and Morgan many years later was hired to restore the mural. 

If you are an artist or are artistic, this book will definitely appeal to you.

FULL REVIEW: http://tinyurl.com/4vsybjez

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 🎨🙌🏻 2mo
Eggs Loved this one 🎨 2mo
SilversReviews @Eggs Yes. So good. 2mo
32 likes4 comments
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HettyG
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Mehso-so

While I did enjoy the story, I found the writing not for me, with stilted dialogue between characters and the author constantly telling the reader things we already know.

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HettyG
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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I am going to finish this book and haven‘t decided if it‘s a pick but I just have to say it‘s annoying how the Anna character is so naive as if a yankee in the 1940s would have never heard of a racism. The shock she‘s always expressing is grating. It also has stupid errors like Anna describing her mother as having “manic depressive psychosis”, this is not a term that was being used at the time, as just one example.

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HettyG
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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I already have two paper format books I‘m trying to get to, but I‘m cleaning and baking bread today and I like to do that in the company of an audiobook, so I started this one. It‘s good so far! That there is an orange spice bread 🍞

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 4mo
Reggie Awesome! 4mo
28 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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#BookBinge

Edenton, North Carolina is the #SmallTownSetting of this book that I read for a book tour review party a couple of years ago.

I especially liked learning about the New Deal Post Office Mural Project that featured in the story. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_post_office_murals

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚❤️🙌🏻 7mo
Eggs LOVED THIS BOOK💙🩷💜 7mo
47 likes2 comments
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SusanLee
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Eggs A good story!! 1y
9 likes1 comment
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SusanLee
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Eggs Perfect 🤩 2y
6 likes1 comment
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Bec_lectic
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

A little mystery, a little history..and just an ending that makes you smile as everything comes together. Told from two POV‘s through present day and the past, this story just captures you and takes you on ride through the decades with an ending I was not expecting!! Read it!!

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JHSiess
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

☆** 🎨 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🖼 **☆⁣

𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 never disappoints. She pens engrossing & emotionally resonant stories about relationships, exploring the lives of people facing challenges. Replete with twists & surprises, 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 examines bigotry, misogyny, domestic violence, family secrets, & second chances. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁣

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸: https://tinyurl.com/3wjcp2hv

31 likes1 stack add
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SusanLee
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Today‘s prompt #fear reminded me of this awesome novel by Diane Chamberlain #conflictedworlds @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Oh great choice! Loved this book💙💙 3y
7 likes1 comment
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Oryx
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

My first Diane Chamberlain, and I really enjoyed this. It's a mystery set across two time periods, and it slowly reveals itself. I listened to it on audio, and was totally engrossed. In 1940, a young artist is commissioned to paint a mural on a post office. In 2018, a woman is released from prison to restore the mural, which has a few secrets and a story to tell.

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DHill
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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It took a while for me to get interested but I ended up liking this story and wanting to know about the characters.

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MMFinck
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

Enjoyable from beginning to end.

SilversReviews SO good....loved it. 3y
9 likes1 comment
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vlwelser
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This author is a magnificent storyteller. She pulls you into the characters' lives. In this one, a young artist in 1939 wins a contest to paint a mural and travels to the south to do research. In the present, another young artist is given a job to restore that same mural. What happened to the mural in the meantime? What happened to the artist? It's quite good.

#BookSpinBingo square 18
@TheAromaofBooks

Eggs Loved and savored this one🥰 3y
vlwelser @Eggs I don't think I've ever not liked one of her books. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Eggs
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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History, mystery, and social commentary combine masterfully in this novel. With a dual time line, the 2 protagonists‘ (both artists) lives fatefully intersect 78 years apart...

#fate #jumpintojanuary

SilversReviews This book is so good. 3y
44 likes1 comment
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KathyWheeler
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

I really liked this book. I was drawn into the story immediately. There‘s a divided timeline — Anna is painting a mural in 1940, while Morgan is released from prison in 2016 (with no real explanation) to restore that mural. What happens to Anna is predictable as is the reason why Morgan should be the one to do the restoration, but that doesn‘t hurt the story or make it any less interesting.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Book 11 of 150. I am reading NC authors this year.

48 likes2 stack adds
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DebinHawaii
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This is my first Diane Chamberlain book although I have a few others loaded on my Kindle. I reviewed it this week for a book tour & was totally caught up in this dual narrative/time period novel. 1940: Anna Dale is a young New Jersey artist who wins a contest to paint a post office mural in Edenton, NC. 2018: Morgan Christopher is an art student in prison for a crime she didn‘t commit when she is offered a mysterious reprieve to get out if she⬇️

DebinHawaii restores the mural. What happened to Anna? Great twists & turns & I was equally invested in both characters. A pick & I‘ll be reading more from this author. It‘s paired here with a Pineapple Upside Down Cake from a scene in the book for my book tour review. My full review & an easy semi-homemade recipe are here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2021/01/pineapple-upside-down-cake-and-book.h... (edited) 3y
Crazeedi I love pineapple upside down cake! I make mine in my cast iron skillet, yours looks yum!! 3y
Crazeedi Oh and the book sounds really good!! 3y
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Kalalalatja That cake 😍 3y
peaKnit Yum! And I like Diane Chamberlain books. 3y
MuddyPuddle LOVED this book. 3y
72 likes1 stack add6 comments
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KathyWheeler
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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I‘ve decided that today is going to be a day where I do nothing but read. Here‘s the book I‘m starting.

lynneamch I saw her interviewed on YouTube Friends and Fiction. Now I want to read everything she's written! 3y
KathyWheeler @lynneamch I watched that Friends & Fiction episode on Facebook and feel the same way. 😊 3y
31 likes1 stack add2 comments
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DebinHawaii
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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My finished Cauliflower & Leek Soup with Cheesy Toasts on top (yes, I made it as much for the cheesy toast as the simple soup) is cozy & tasty (I used smoked Gouda).😋Link to recipe is below.

Starting this one for a blog book review next week. Just getting started but so far it is capturing my interest. 📚👍

LeahBergen Cheesy toast would be something I could add to anything! 😆 3y
DebinHawaii @LeahBergen Yes, cheesy toast makes most anything better! 😋🤣 3y
63 likes3 comments
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SilversReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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This book is a WOW read!!

Ms. Chamberlain has given readers another marvelous book that fans will adore. 5/5

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/wy535u2

Are you going to share a post about YOUR favorite January read?

Please tag me if you do...thanks.

@diane.chamberlain.author

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BBowling
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
Pickpick

This was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. Based in North Carolina alternating between 1939 and 2018. An unfolding mystery from the past. Exploring topics of mental illness, sexual assault, racial prejudice and child parent relationships. It presented complex and likable characters. By the last chapters, I was sighing best book I have read in a long, long time.

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jillannjohn
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Starting this for book club meeting next week which is now via Zoom. 😔

JanuarieTimewalker13 I really liked The Dream Daughter, I would def read her again. 4y
47 likes1 comment
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TamTracy
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

Despite starting a little slow and me not knowing what to expect I ended up LOVING this story. It‘s a mystery about racism, sexism, and small towns in the 40s intermixed with a modern day timeline to help discover the mystery. I don‘t always like dual timelines but this one works very well! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

63 likes2 stack adds
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Michellesibs
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

Reading the authors note really does underline my love for this woman, I love the research that went into this and her acknowledgement that as a white women she can not claim to understand. The meetings she has with Edenton's Racial Reconciliation Group to research this book made me well up in such a hopeful way.

I frigging loved this book and totally underlines my love of historical fiction.

38 likes2 stack adds
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Lcsmcat
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This may be an #unpopularopinion. This is the 3rd or 4th Chamberlain I have read, and an underlying theme is starting to bother me. Chamberlain grew up in New Jersey and now lives in NC. She tackles racism in most of her books, which is a good and necessary thing. But. (You knew there would be a but.) She has a smugness about it that denies that racism is/was present outside of the south. One only need read Ellison or Petry to know 👇🏻

Lcsmcat 👆🏻that isn‘t and wasn‘t true. Making it a “southern problem” lets an awful lot of the country off the hook. That said, it‘s an interesting story. It would have been better if the love story were left out, Lisa‘s character were more consistent, and everything weren‘t tied up in a nice neat bow. But it would have been enjoyable fiction did I not feel the author was judging me and holding herself blameless on the issue of racism. (edited) 4y
KatieDid927 I received an ARC of this and wholeheartedly agree. It was the first book of hers that I read and while it wasn‘t racist, it felt off to me. I think you nailed why. 4y
Lcsmcat @KatieDid927 I‘m glad I‘m not the only one. This my irl book club pick, and I know they‘re all going to gush over how relevant it is. 4y
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Texreader Interesting that you picked up on that. I‘m learning all about slavery in the north (how slaves built a mansion in the northeast) and racism (ie Woodrow Wilson) from the BML movement. I always knew it wasn‘t just a southern thing but it‘s becoming more and more obvious it‘s a USA thing and a worldwide thing. 4y
Lcsmcat @Texreader It‘s really a whole country problem. We are, at our foundation, a racist country. And we won‘t improve until we face that. For more on the subject I recommend 4y
KatieDid927 @Lcsmcat Eesh, I wouldn‘t quite call it that. As a white woman writing about race there‘s quite a lot of blind spots in the story. The white savior complex plays a large role, as one example. The Vanishing Half is an historical fiction novel that feels more organically relevant, imo. (edited) 4y
KatieDid927 @Texreader I read Sojourner Truth this past February who was a slave ... in New York. The racism is everywhere, it‘s just less loud in certain areas. (edited) 4y
Texreader @KatieDid927 Wow, I didn‘t realize she was a slave in the north! Thanks for sharing that but of info. I had no idea and I think it‘s an important fact 4y
48 likes8 comments
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AmyK1
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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My family knows how to spoil me for my birthday. Bottom 2 from @Bigcountry15 and the top 2 from @wideeyedreader ❤️

#birthdaybookhaul #bookhaul

Butterfinger Hope you had a great birthday. 4y
AmyK1 @Butterfinger I did, thank you! 4y
Pageturner1 Happy Birthday 🎈🎂 4y
AmyK1 @Pageturner1 Thank you! 4y
29 likes4 comments
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Joanielovesbooks
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Next!

SilversReviews LOVED this book. ENJOY!! 4y
Joanielovesbooks LOVED this book, so great! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 4y
25 likes1 stack add3 comments
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MuddyPuddle
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

After reading Big Lies in a Small Town and thoroughly enjoying it, I decided it‘s been along time since I‘ve read much historical fiction, so now I‘m on a roll. We Hope for Better Things was also a big hit for me and so now I‘ve started The Shoemaker‘s Wife. I‘ve discovered I particularly enjoy books that flip back-and-forth between two time periods or come from two different protagonists‘ point of view .
Any other suggestions for me?

Amie I recommend Beatriz Williams. She writes historical fiction with two timelines or two perspectives and has several books. 4y
sblbooks I recommend Lisa Wingate's 4y
ravenlee Have you read this? It‘s not the best book I‘ve read, but it‘s good and from an era/perspective that was new to me. Different protagonists and time periods. 4y
See All 6 Comments
MargaretPinardAuthor Yay for a histfic kick! You can check out my books if you‘re into 19th century, British empire, Celtic folklore, family struggles, and romance against the odds! 😁📚🎁 4y
MuddyPuddle @MargaretPinardAuthor Your books sound great! I just ordered Dulci‘s Legacy to read on my Kindle. 4y
MargaretPinardAuthor Amazing! She‘s my YA, and has a special place in my heart ❤️😊 4y
89 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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sblbooks
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpin I read my #doublespin first. I loved this one. It has a little bit of everything, history, mystery, and a slow-burn romance. #ReadTheUSA2020 #NC #NorthCarolina

TheAromaofBooks OOoo it's been quite a long time since I read one of Chamberlain's books. I definitely need to try another!! And I read my #doublespin book first, too 😁 4y
44 likes1 comment
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guinsgirlreads
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

I have never read Diane Chamberlain before, and I really enjoyed this one! It was a fun read about a woman who is chosen to restore a mural, which she knows nothing about, and has no idea why she was chosen. It bounces back and forth between her and the original artist in the time frames and it was super cool to read!

KarouBlue Sounds excellent! 4y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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guinsgirlreads
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Starting this one briefly before work !

40 likes3 stack adds
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BlueStockingReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

Book Giveaway Drawing: Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. Register now, deadline 2/8/20. https://www.bluestockingreviews.com/post/book-giveaway-big-lies-in-a-small-town

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simpledutchgirl
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This book has it all! The innocent, the guilty, passions of all sorts expressed in art and actions in a small southern town. Mutual appreciation of one another's qualities: True love. Buried for generations, family secrets exposed. A beautiful story💕

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sblbooks
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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BookishMe Everything Everything was great! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Thank you so much for joining!! Love your collage! I'll be sure to tag you with the lucky number this Sunday!! 4y
38 likes2 comments
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AmyK1
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This one grabbed me from the beginning and I didn‘t want to put it down. Another 5⭐️ read

The letter C for #litsyAtoZ

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keepingupwiththepenguins
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

The story centers around a Depression-era mural: the woman commissioned to paint it (who disappeared under mysterious circumstances), and the woman charged with restoring it for installation, nearly eight decades later. Big Lies In A Small Town is fictional, but the town of Edenton and the themes Chamberlain explores (race, privilege, and opportunity) are very real. Extended review for subscribers: http://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/

43 likes1 stack add
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ReadingisMyPassion
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book! A bit of history, art restoration, second chances, mental illness, racism, romance, friendship – if you are a fan of any of these topics, you need to read this book. The rich descriptions placed me right there in the story.

Reecaspieces I agree...it s a good one. 4y
15 likes1 comment
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Reecaspieces
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick
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BookNightOwl
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

This book takes place in alternate time periods. It takes place in 2018 with Morgan Christopher striking a deal to restore an old mural in time for a grand opening of a gallery. The other time period is 1940 when Anna Dale wins a contest to paint a mural for a town to put up in the post office. Anna Dale doesnt know what she is getting herself into when she accepts this job.

BookNightOwl This book was filled with a lot of mystery and exciting characters. I loved the writing and how Diane Chamberlain just grasped me from the beginning and I just couldn't put this down. Well worth the read. 4y
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BlueStockingReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

Just published today! #BigLiesInASmallTown by #DianeChamberlain is an immersing tale, full of intrigue and mystery. A great read! Check out the full review about two female artists and the mural they work on seven decades apart. #bluestockingreviews, #StMartinsPress #readitloveit.
https://www.bluestockingreviews.com/post/big-lies-in-a-small-town

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TorieStorieS
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

I have absolutely loved Chamberlain‘s writing from my first exposure to her! And her latest one (#NewToday - thanks, #NetGalley!) is no exception to her excellent writing & great characters. Like many of her books, it‘s set in North Carolina-in the titular small town. Tops across two timelines, one in 2018 & one in 1940, both stories center around a mural commissioned for the town-and both involve new starts. It‘s emotional, engaging & wonderful!

Jee_HookedOnBookz Love your pic! 4y
TorieStorieS @Jee_HookedOnBookz Thanks so much!! I had fun getting my paint stuff out! 4y
52 likes2 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Meeting Diane Chamberlain and learning more about North Carolina made for a great evening. I had fun with @alleyfam51699 too!

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Graciouswarriorprincess
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Seeing Diane tonight!

Come-read-with-me Have a great time! 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Come-read-with-me Thank you! It was wonderful! 4y
60 likes3 comments
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SilversReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN has mystery, marvelously portrayed characters, and a storyline you don't want to end.

If you are an artist or are artistic, BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN will definitely appeal to you. I enjoyed learning about art techniques....especially what pouncing is.

Wow, Wow, Wow, and Fantastic is all I can say.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/wy535u2

PUB DAY IS JANUARY 14!!

@diane.chamberlain.author
@StMartinsPress

57 likes1 stack add
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darncutebookreviewgirl
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Happy New Year!! What is your first book of the year? Mine is "Big Lies in a Small Town" by Diane Chamberlain. This book starts out with a bang and I haven't been able to put it down since I first started it this morning. This book comes out January 9th. I'll be posting my review here as soon as I finish the book and i CAN'T wait to tell you all about this book. Absolutely love Diane Chamberlain

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SilversReviews
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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FULL REVIEW ON JANUARY 10.

BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN has mystery, marvelously portrayed characters, and a storyline you don't want to end.

If you are an artist or artistic, BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN will definitely appeal to you.

Wow, Wow, Wow, and Fantastic is all I can say.

Ms. Chamberlain has given readers another marvelous book that fans will adore. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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SusanLee
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Pickpick

I‘ve received this ARC from Netgalley in return for my honest review. My first Diane Chamberlain and it turned out to be fantastic! It‘s such an awesome and enthralling read, had me so engaged that I was so tempted to flip to the end 😬 Well written with intriguing plots, I‘m truly surprised by the ending! That was not expected at all 😅

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ericareadslibros
Big Lies in a Small Town | Diane Chamberlain
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Curling up on this cloudy Sunday with this #arc I won from a #goodreads #giveaway 📚 Thank you @stmartinspress ‼️

11 likes1 stack add