Clara, Nick, and four-year-old Maisie Solberg live a quiet life in a suburb of Chicago where Nick owns a dental practice. He has taken a week off to welcome his newborn son, Felix, and help his wife. He has offered to take Maisie to her ballet class and bring takeout for supper so Clara can rest. Later, a knock on her door, the arrival of the police tell her there was an accident. Nick was driving too fast on a hairpin curve, hit a tree and is dead. At 26, Clara is a widow with two small children to raise and her life will never be the same.

Although the police rule Nick's death an accident, Clara is not convinced. Maisie has been having nightmares screaming, "The bad man in the black car is going to get us." Is there more to Nick's death than she is being told? Clara begins her own investigation.

EVERY LAST LIE by Mary Kubica is a thriller told by Clara, in the present, and Nick, in the past until his death. It is a good character study of grief. Clara uncovers secrets, lies and betrayals and begins to question and doubt everyone in her circle. Her father never liked or trusted Nick, said he was bad news and marrying him would be a mistake. Was her father right? So many unanswered questions. Clara discovers Nick was gambling, had cashed in his life insurance policy, was severely in debt, had a malpractice suit against him, and fired his best friend working with him in his practice. Now, a woman from his past has appeared. Who is she?

Mary Kubica is a sterling story teller and introduces a colorful cast of characters, but I did not like any of them. I especially disliked Clara. She is too naive and sometimes even stupid. Leaving small children in a car alone disgusted and angered me. Her mothering skills left a lot to be desired. Nick had good intentions but always got sidetracked when he planned to confess his transgressions. He waited too long. In her pursuit for the cause of Nick's untimely death, Clara found so many sad discoveries, and an unhappy ending. I love happy endings and I did not enjoy this book, though I tried. It is well-written, if you enjoy thrillers, this may be for you.