The Real Michael Swann by Bryan Reardon - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Julia and Michael Swann have had their ups and downs during their marriage and for the most part it is rock solid. At the moment they are in a rough patch as Michael has recently lost his job and has traveled to NYC from their home in Pennsylvania to apply for a new position. As he waits for his train in Penn Station to arrive he and Julia are speaking on the phone when suddenly the connection is lost. Julia tries to reconnect but Michael's phone goes to voice mail. Then the awful truth is broadcast across the country; a bomb has detonated in the station and hundreds of people are dead. A frantic Julia leaves her 2 children with a neighbor, climbs in her car and heads for New York to find her husband. She is thwarted at every turn with stalled traffic, police barricades and meager information. Michael has been reported as being seen at several locations and Julia holds onto every clue. Troubling new reports from the tragic scene cause Julia to wonder why Michael has not contacted her and even if her husband is the man she always believed him to be.

This is quite a suspenseful story that is told with much background information of Julia and Michael's lives together. I like both of the characters although Julia seems a bit out of control during her search. The ending is quite a surprise. This is an exciting ride.