Grace's son, Jack, is a miracle; a three year old, fighting a mysterious and deadly disease doctors predicted would kill him as a baby. The family's world is upended when a friend of the family lets it slip: there has been an investigation. Grace has been accused of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy, the strange psychological disorder whereby seemingly good mothers purposely fake or exacerbate their child's illnesses to get attention. As a result, Grace begins to suspect every doctor and nurse that has ever taken care of Jack, every friend and acquaintance, even her husband. Who has accused her, and why? The Life You Longed For is gripping, suspenseful, and the definition of a page-turner - readers will want to skip to the end to figure out if the accusations are true. By mixing this controversial topic with endearing characters and a delicately layered plot, Maribeth Fischer has established herself as a voice to be reckoned with among today's finest women writers.