Morgan Christopher has found herself in a bad way. After lying for her boyfriend regarding who was driving a car that was involved in a serious accident that injured an innocent person, Morgan is spending 3 years in a Women’s Correctional Facility while the boyfriend gets away free.
Well, at least, she was spending 3 years in a correctional facility.
Now, Morgan finds herself released early to a stranger who has given her one task to complete in exchange for her freedom… restore an old Post Office mural that has been long neglected for almost 80 years. Puzzled, but wanting her freedom more than anything, Morgan accepts the request knowing she does not have the knowledge or the skill to accomplish what she has been asked. What she does have is determination.
Through Morgan’s research of the mural, the quirky habitants of the small town, and even in the mural itself, Morgan begins to restore more than the painting itself… but also details to a long since buried secret involving deception, lies, and possibly murder.
In the fall of 2014, I found this author Diane Chamberlain while looking for something to listen to while I worked 12 hours a day with bees in Florida. (True Story). Once I started listening to this author, it was like I couldn’t stop. Each story was a stand alone and I loved it. Some authors, have a set style and you know when you read them what you are going to get even before you crack the spine. Not so with Diane. She writes in such a way that while it may be a mystery – its not one set scene…. or one set formula… and with a vast array of interesting characters you can not help yourself but fall all in…. until you turn that last satisfying page. This book was no exception.
I adored this story line and the details in solving the mystery of the mural. The flash backs to the original painter were smooth and interesting where you could easily see this as a movie, with a stroke of a paint brush you were in another time witnessing what happened to cause the artist to capture this on the canvas.
I highly recommend this author and this book. If you have not experienced Diane Chamberlain, do not stop here. I have quite a few I have enjoyed:
Pretending To Dance
The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes
The Midwife’s Confession
Book Journey 
I have read this one, along with The Stolen Daughter and The Dream Daughter, and have enjoyed all of them immensely.
Lloyd (408) 348-4849
She is definitely an author not to miss!
I love this author too. She’s very solid without being boring. Entertaining without being gimmicky. I enjoyed this one as well as a couple of the others you mentioned.
I agree. You never know quite what will unfold – but you know it will be good.
I loved this book, and always enjoy the author. Great review, and thanks for sharing.
You bet Laurel!
Totally agree, loved this one too. She always holds me glued in her books.
I have mainly listened to her on audio and have always been totally engrossed!
She’s on my TBR list, and has been for a long while. Need to try a book by her soon!
Yes! I hope you do!
Hey, Sheila! So glad you like this book by local-to-me author Diane Chamberlaine. Love her references to places around me I know. Plus she weaves a fab mystery and engaging characters with subtle social commentary.
Lucky you! She is a talented writer!
I love her too. I highly recommend The Dream Daughter. I thought it was so creative and original.
Thanks, Rachel I will check that out! I feel like I have read more books by her but perhaps neglected to review them. 😀
LOVED this book.