Mostly I enjoyed THE REAL MICHAEL SWANN. That is in spite of a few instances that are a little bit ridiculous and hard to swallow. I see other reviewers give it a bad rating for that, but I see it differently.

Julia and her husband, Michael, are talking on the phone when they're suddenly cut off. There begins Julia's search for Michael. And she's not the only one; the rest of the world is looking for him, too, because they're convinced he's the terrorist who set off the explosion that interrupted Julia's and Michael's conversation and killed and hurt hundreds of people.

One of the reasons I give this book a high rating is the clever way Bryan Reardon sets it up. About half the chapters are written in third person from Julia's point of view while the other chapters are the first-person account by an unnamed man. They're trying to find each other.

Although I suspected early on the twist that Reardon obviously intended to surprise the reader in the end, I still found myself fighting sleep at night just so I could read another page. That's the kind of book that deserves a high rating. ( )

My first five star book in a long time. A story of our day, the madness, the rush-to-judgment of our 24/7, get the story first, news-cycle driven world. Events unfold here that hearken back to 9/11 but that wouldn't be fair to this book or the author. I won't give the plot away just in case you might read it but know you're in for a dizzying, dazzling roller coaster of a story that will frustrate you, inspire you and ultimately please you in it's conclusion. Enough from me, now head to your local library or bookstore and pick up this book. You won't regret it. ( )

Wow! This was quite the thriller especially towards the end. It's also scary considering this could be a completely true story. With all the attacks that happen in our world every day, there are some great quotes about kindness and accepting people. This was a very good read.

I was given a copy of this courtesy of the First to Read program in exchange for my honest review. ( )

4.5 stars.

em>The Real Michael Swann by Bryan Reardon is a tautly plotted, fast-paced and suspenseful novel.

Julia Swann is not overly concerned about the fact that her husband Michael's train from New York's Penn Station has been delayed. She is, however, mildly worried when their phone call abruptly ends and she cannot get through to him. Panic sets in with the tragic announcement that a bomb has gone off in Penn Station. Unable to wait at home for news about Michael's fate, Julia sets off in search of her husband.

The investigation into the bombing moves at a rapid pace and the stunning announcemnt that Michael is Homeland Security's chief suspect in the bombing sends shock waves through Julia's family and their neighbors. Her certainty in his innocence slightly wavers as her recollections of her husband's behavior throughout their courtship and marriage are tested by recent memories of his drastically altered behavior and opinions. Could Michael's desperation have driven him to such an uncharacteristic act of domestic terrorism?

As Julia frantically tries to locate Michael, a survivor of the blast whose memories are lost due to a head wound feels disconnected from the seemingly irrefutable evidence of his identity. Driven by an inexplicable instinct to immediately leave Penn Station, he wanders around the city in a daze. He is desperate to return to the address found on the driver's license he finds inside his briefcase and he soon sets off on his journey home. Despite his lack of memories, intuition leads him to avoid public scrutiny once he becomes aware Michael Swann is wanted in connection with the bombing.

Despite Homeland Security's best efforts to convince Julia of Michael's guilt, she remains steadfast in her belief in his innocence. With the help of her mother, Julia anxiously escapes from the agents trying to use her to lure Michael to them. Thanks to the extensive media coverage, she has a general idea of his whereabouts and she recklessly tries to reach him before Homeland Security captures him. Will Julia find Michael before the authorities take him into custody?

The Real Michael Swann is an electrifying novel that could easily have been ripped from today's headlines. Julia is a complex, well-developed lead protagonist whose faith in her husband's innocence is nearly unshakable. Although savvy readers will most likely have a good idea what awaits Julia as she hurdles toward finding Michael before Homeland Security, Bryan Reardon brings the novel to a pulse-pounding, tension-filled conclusion that is full of clever plot twists. ( )

Wow!! This was a thrill ride from start to finish. Michael Swann is away on a business interview in NYC, and calls his wife, Julia, from Penn Station. Suddenly, the line goes dead and chaos erupts.
Julia is frantic to reach Michael. She doesn't know what to tell their 2 sons, Thomas and Evan.
As she struggles with what to do, Julia reflects on their life together and has to examine things closely. She has to remember the man she married.
Told at a lightning fast speed, this is a thriller that examines the political divisiveness and racial tensions of this country, and people's attitudes in this vitriolic environment. The ending is great!
I loved it!! I can't wait read the author's other novel, Finding Jake.

#TheRealMichaelSwann #BryanReardon ( )