The Real Michael Swann by Bryan Reardon

I have been highly recommending THE REAL MICHAEL SWANN by Bryan Reardon.  It’s one of those suspense-filled books that begs to be read in a single sitting.  The action feels non-stop, but the characters are also well-developed and prompt a range of emotions. Initially, the story asks what does it feel like when a “perfect” suburban life turns upside down? Julia and Michael Swann live with their two young sons (ages 12 and 8) near New York City but a terrorist action on US soil abruptly impacts their life. Next questions: what do you do? How do you balance the needs of a spouse with those of a child? Do you obey the law or disregard it for a greater good? How do you know who deserves your trust? Who are your real friends? How well do we know ourselves, our own past? Where do you find the hidden reservoir of strength? How do you reflect upon and share your experiences? These are the types of issues that most of us deal with in different contexts every day. The Swanns face them as they need to fight through the fog of shock and intense emotions, to grapple with coincidences and fate, to deal with well-meaning intentions and acts of selfishness. THE REAL MICHAEL SWANN will entertain and make you think; this title received a starred review from Library Journal.