Flipping between 1940 and 2018 in the sleepy Southern town of Edenton, North Carolina, this story is a satisfying connect-the-dots type tale.
In 1940, artist Anna Dale wins a national contest that provides her with the opportunity to design and paint a large mural for Edenton post office. Young, single, and a woman, Anna finds herself the subject of attention -not all of it wanted – when she moves to town. Facing good old-fashioned sexism, navigating local politics, and raising eyebrows by mentoring a young black student, Anna’s story is both engaging and original.
Jump to Edenton in 2018 and another female young artist, Morgan Christopher, is unexpectedly released early from serving a prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. Morgan’s release comes with one condition, she is tasked with restoring a large damaged mural by, yep you’ve guessed it, Anna Dale.
As Morgan begins the painstaking work of recovery and restoration, she starts to uncover something darker in the story of Anna’s mural.
Chamberlain’s story is an easy read, interesting and well-paced. Two thumbs up!
The Lady Loves Books 