Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Although you know from the very beginning that Lydia is dead, it takes a whole novel of a family made dysfunctional by secrets kept and lies professed to know why she died.  Father of the family, James Lee, is Chinese American who moves his family to Wisconsin to be a professor at a small town college.  His white wife gave up a possible medical career to marry leaving her estranged from her own family who opposed the marriage.  Their three children hide the racial isolation they experience at school leading their parents to believe high achieving Lydia is looking forward to her own career in medicine and older brother Nathan is a popular athlete.  Youngest daughter Hannah quietly observes from under the kitchen table and may be the only one who knows what everyone is really hoping and feeling.  Is suspicious neighbor Jack responsible for Lydia's death or is he living his own lie.  The question remains, when should we keep a secret we believe may only lead to a painful truth?  Is there such a thing as a justifiable lie?  What secrets did Lydia take with her in the end?