Everything seems to be going Madison Rivera’s way. Not only is she taking a class at Harvard taught by her idol, Judge Kathryn Conroy, but she’s just been asked to apply for an internship with her. Things quickly start to go sideways when she finds out that her brother has been arrested on some very serious charges- and Judge Conroy is in charge of the case. Madison agrees to use her connections to look into the case, but doing so will challenge her to question everything she thought she knew about law and the woman she’s looked up to for so long.

Told from the POV of both Madison and Kathryn, this story takes you on a wild ride that you will not want to get off of until you find out the truth. I went back and forth many times questioning if and when any of the main players in this story were going to turn on each other. Campbell does a great job weaving a story than spans decades and leaving us guessing until the very end how things are going to play out. As someone who loves a good twist, I was so pleased by all of the surprises thrown in throughout this story. Without giving too much away, I will say that I really loved the direction this book went and where it ended up.

I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who enjoys suspense.

The intern from @stmartinspress is available now!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It has been a long time since I’ve read Campbell and this shows what I’ve been missing.
This book is told dual point of view from Madison (the law intern) and Kathryn (the federal Judge), which I enjoyed greatly. I did like both women and enjoyed getting to know their backstories. I thought Campbell did a great building the story and keeping me invested.
I did start this book on Kindle but I finished it on audiobook.

What to expect:
- corrupted law enforcement and lawyers.
- Lies lies lies and oh secrets.
- Legal thriller

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Although this was a super slow start, it got thrilling and hard to put down about 60% of the way through it. At first it reminded me of the show “How to Get Away With Murder”.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marketed as a legal thriller but really just a story about family. I found our FMC unbearable and her mom even more so. I did like the chapters from the judges POV more but the writing read very YA to me. Set at Harvard Law but as the reader I didn’t feel transported there. I wanted a cat and mouse type book like “the lies I tell” and this just wasn’t that.

After watching an IG live where Michele Campbell discussed her newest book, The Intern, I wanted to read it right away. I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced with many unexpected twists and turns. I liked the characters and how the story ended. One thing I didn’t like, however, was some of the dialogue. But that’s just based on my opinions of what I thought real dialogue would sound like in certain situations. Overall this was a really fun thriller mixed with a little courtroom drama and sprinkled with some police procedural elements.

Madison is a law student who's offered the internship position that is a dream come true for her. It's working for a judge that she idolizes and she feels that it's too good to be true. At the same time all this is going on, her brother is being arrested and convicted on drug charges. It all sounds fishy to Madison so she's shocked when she hears that the judge she is now working for was involved.

There are multiple twists and turns with this storyline. You are continually wondering who you can trust. I'm not going to tell too much because I don't want to risk ruining anything. I'll just say this is a good one and is definitely worth the read.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audiobook was well done with solid narration that really helped pull the reader/listener into the story. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for copies of both the ebook and audiobook.. I voluntarily chose to read/listen to and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I'm a huge fan of Michele and her books! This is my fifth read of hers and like the others it was awesome. This book is the epitome of a cat and mouse thriller. I could not read it fast enough. Great story intriguing characters especially the main protagonist who would sacrifice herself and her career for her family. Definitely kept me on the edge of me seat throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the Author Michele Campbell for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Intern is a fast-paced novel with great character development. The beginning is a little slow as we learn who the players are.. but it picks up, and the plot moves at lightning speed. Told between two points of view, the reader gets a two-sided view of a cat and mouse thriller. I couldn't decide who I was rooting for. Each time the narrative changed, my opinion changed. It's definitely a book I didn't want to put down.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an advanced digital copy.

I’ve enjoyed the previous books I’ve read by Michele Campbell, so I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

The pace felt incredibly slow with very little happening. Couple that with the unlikeable characters and I had a difficult time making myself get through this one. While I did feel sympathy for both Madison and Kathryn’s sad childhoods, they never felt like well-developed characters to me and I didn’t really care what happened to them.

I also have a difficult time with stories where miscommunication is a major plot point. Madison could have really saved herself a lot of trouble if she had just told the whole truth up front. Or at several other opportunities. I was also hoping for some fun twists, but the only things that felt like they were supposed to be surprising were things I guessed well in advance.

Overall, The Intern was not for me. I found the plot slow moving and kind of unbelievable and the characters were not as well developed as I would have liked. Though this one was a miss for me, I’ll still check out more from Campbell in the future.

The Intern is a thrilling novel that delves into the worlds of law, ambition, family, and murder. Written by Michele Campbell, it centers around Madison Rivera, a Harvard law student, who secures the internship of her dreams working for the charismatic Judge Kathryn Conroy. However, Madison harbors a dangerous secret that could not only jeopardize her promising career but also cause harm to her family.

The novel weaves together elements of legal drama, family dynamics, and the pursuit of success. The narrative unfolds with a captivating blend of suspense, reminiscent of John Grisham's gripping legal thrillers.

The character development in "Under the Gavel" is both nuanced and compelling. Madison Rivera is a relatable character whose struggles and ambitions may resonate with readers. Her moral dilemmas and internal conflicts drive the plot forward.

Judge Kathryn Conroy, the enigmatic figure in Madison's life, adds depth to the story. Her complex personality keeps readers guessing about her true intentions and motivations. The dynamic between Madison and Conroy mirrors the intriguing relationships found in the TV series "Suits," adding a layer of complexity.

There are moments where the plot's twists and turns become slightly predictable for readers familiar with the legal thriller genre. I found that the exploration of power dynamic and privileges within the legal system compensates for these minor shortcomings.

The Intern is a gripping legal thriller that combines the allure of a high-stakes courtroom drama with the complexities of family and ambition. It is a compelling read for fans of John Grisham novels and legal dramas like "Suits."

I received an ARC of this book. Great story where nothing is as it seems. Lots of suspense and surprises. Highly recommend!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Michele Campbell for an ARC of this book!**

Madison can't believe her luck: years ago, she had the good fortune to see Justice Kathryn Conroy speak, and was enraptured and inspired by the judge. But now she's currently pursuing a career in law (at Harvard, no less!) and who should happen to have an internship available but Judge Conroy herself! Madison is determined to land the coveted spot, and would do almost anything to get it....but she has a secret that could ruin everything. Madison's younger brother Danny has run into some legal troubles, and his case is still pending. Madison's mother begs her to find out more about the judge who has Danny's fate in their hands...and Madison is stunned to see a familiar name: Judge Conroy.

Determined to keep her professional and personal life separate, Madison 'forgets to mention' her brother's situation on her paperwork, and begins to work for the judge. She is warned to not get too friendly with the judge and to keep her distance by the law clerks and Judge Conroy's other employees, but when the judge invites her out to dinner, Madison can't resist the chance to bond with her hero. After dinner, however, Judge Conroy invites her back to her luxe apartment...and then asks her to stay the night to watch her cat, but to keep AWAY from the security cameras, Madison starts to suspect there is more to the judge than meets the eye. What follows is an increasingly dangerous game between teacher and student...and no one quite knows where and when it will end. Can Madison keep her secret and secure her brother's freedom? Or will the judge's dark and mysterious past prove to be more than a point of curiosity...but a path to fatality?

I've been a HUGE Michele Campbell fan ever since I finished The Stranger on the Beach, and although her last effort (The Wife Who Knew Too Much) was a bit more flash than substance, I still had a good time with that book in the 'poolside read' way. I've been EAGERLY awaiting a new release, and was thrilled to snag an early copy of this book for review, even though I had mixed feelings about the overall premise. I didn't know what to expect from this one: would Kathryn and Madison both be unreliable narrators? Was this book more of a vehicle to explore the 'dark side' of the legal profession? Or was this simply more of an intricately plotted back and forth legal action thriller?

The short answer is that this book had traces of all 3 elements. As a lawyer herself, Campbell ALWAYS manages to weave in her knowledge of the profession and all of its facets, and since this book focused primarily on the relationship between judge and intern, it made sense that so much of the story revolved around the ins and outs of the profession itself. As someone who briefly considered a career in the field, I ALWAYS find this sort of insight interesting. Kathryn and Madison were both complex enough characters to stay interesting even during slight lulls in the action, but although I didn't necessarily read this book quickly, I WOULD say it's a quick read (if that makes sense!)

I did feel that one downside was the AMOUNT of focus on Judge Conroy's background versus Madison's background. The whole plot is driven by her (basically) and revolves around her, so Madison essentially gets the short end of the stick throughout. We even get treated to an in-depth look at how Judge Conroy got herself in such a predicament in the first place through some lengthy passages detailing her past..but we get very little of this same meticulous attention to Madison. Although we don't necessarily need it for emotional investment, I do think some more insight into Madison's early years might have helped to flesh out her character a bit. She often seemed more like a patsy for Judge Conroy rather than her own fully-formed adult....UNTIL the ending of the book, that is.

While I won't spoil anything, this is one of those reads you can pick up and probably finish in on a cozy fall afternoon (if you aren't too distracted by football, apple picking adventures, or picking out the PERFECT scented candle, of course!). And while the book itself might not have eclipsed Campbell's own capability, it DID remind me that since an internship is a bit of a trial run?

Madison might have been better off if she skipped her brother's trial...and RUN.

4 stars

I was quickly sucked into this story that was full of twists and turns, captivating backstories, compelling characters, and an ending that is hard to guess. The more I read, I found myself continually wondering how I would end the story if I were the author. I was at a loss. So, my solution was to make it a series with no ending . . . ever! 🙂 But author Michele Campbell had other ideas.

After seeing Kathryn Conroy, a prosecutor named to the federal bench, speak at her Catholic Prep school, Madison had a goal and dream, to attend Harvard Law. So she challenged herself to work hard and make it happen. And it did.

While at law school, she attended a class taught by Judge Kathryn Conroy. To her surprise, the Judge pulled her aside and asked her to apply for the position of intern in her chambers. Unfortunately, the position turned into much more than she could ever imagine. Quickly, the story takes a cat-and-mouse feel, with no apparent way out. It felt like a maze with no exit.

This story had me up until the wee hours. At no time did I lose interest, which isn’t always the case.

It unfolds beautifully with backstories inserted for both Madison and Judge Conroy. The characters felt believable and the dialog was true. While at one point I questioned the change in the Judge’s demeanor, I realized that dropping her staunch personality only demonstrated that she was human.

My Concerns
Was the ending completely believable, possibly not. But it had no trouble working for me.

Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller that revolves around a seemingly no-way-out situation of corruption, this is the book.

While I’m slow to hand out 5 stars to a book because I want that rating to really mean something, this is an easy rating for me!

This is my first book by Michele Campbell and it will not be my last! Loved the writing and storytelling style. Everything flowed wonderfully, even with time jumps and 2 different story perspectives.

The first part of the book, I was a bit annoyed with Madison - who while only trying to help her brother, I just wanted to shake her. However her dedication to family as well as her idolization of Judge Kathryn Conroy make this a believable tale.

I loved how the author integrated the time jumps, after starting the story - allowing the reader to first be drawn into the story before giving too much information, was wonderful. While I believe most of the book, particularly in the first part, was told my Madison, we got Judge Kathryn's perspectives and history just at the right time to make the story complete.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
This is a pretty fast paced thriller. I really loved the law, with a bit of mob ties, aspect of this book. I also loved the multiple POV, as it gave more perspective. While I did enjoy this, it was fairly predictable and the only reason I took stars away!

From my blog: Always With a Book

Michele Campbell is becoming a go-to for the ultimate popcorn thriller. Her books are so twisty and addicting that you just can’t help but read in one or two sittings and this latest one is no exception!

I don’t read legal thrillers nearly as much as I should and this one reminded me just how much I enjoy them. This was such a fast-paced read with an incredible cat and mouse game that had me unable to pinpoint just what was going on or where things were heading. Told in multiple points of view, I found that both Madison and Kathryn proved to be equally compelling characters, even when they made questionable choices.

I flew through this one in a matter of hours. It was so addicting and such a thrilling ride from start to finish. Definitely recommend picking this one up!

This was just a no for me. It had potential but the story kept getting more and more far-fetched and I wasn’t invested in any of the characters. Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my copy!

Madison Rivera is a student at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA. She has wanted to be a lawyer all of her life and has worked very hard to get where she is. Madison especially admires one of her professors, Judge Kathryn Conroy. Her way of teaching really grabs her students and they all love her.

When a chance to apply to be the Judge's Intern comes available, Madison is thrilled and anxiously awaits an interview with her. The problem is that Madison’s brother, Danny, is in jail charged with possession of narcotics. He claims he is innocent and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. In addition, his case comes under Judge Conroy. Danny also claims that the Judge is mixed up with some drug dealers. Madison fears that if she confesses Danny’s problem to the Judge, she won’t get the Internship.

Oh my goodness. This is the fourth book I have read by this author. The whole time I was reading it my heart was in my mouth. It was tense, scary, gritty, and sad. I cannot imagine how evil people like this can live with themselves. It’s certainly an eye-opener to how these drug kingpins work. I certainly learned a lot. If you’re looking for a book that is going to try keep you on the edge of your seat, this one’s for you. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I already loved this author and was so excited for this ARC! Another 5-star read from Michele Campbell! Madison is a Harvard Law Student. She has idolized Judge Kathryn Conroy ever since hearing her speak in high school. Judge Conroy has an internship opening up and suggests that Madison apply. Great, right? Well, Madison has a brother in jail on drug charges. He claims he was framed and tricked into pleading guilty by a lawyer. Guess who that would be. If you guessed Judge Conroy, you are correct. Is she dirty? What follows is a gripping cat and mouse story as Madison races to try and save her family and career. I loved Madison! Well, all of the characters, really. Even the unlikeable ones were so well characterized. In a nutshell, great plot AND great characters! Michele Campbell remains at the top of my list!!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Michele Campbell and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All Opinions are my own.

I had a lot of fun with this one. A legal thriller where it seemed like everything was impossible. The characters are that great mix of unlikable and likable. Your rooting for them in so many ways and thinking what the heck are you doing!


Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for my #gifted copy!