There is just something that hooks me when it comes to legal thrillers and/or procedural thrillers, and this one had it all!

✨Fast-paced ✅
✨Morally Grey Character(s)✅
✨Corruption ✅
✨Familial Drama✅
✨Law/Courtroom Activity✅
✨Idolization✅


I can’t even count how many times I audibly gasped, at surprises I did not see coming (which is huge for me because I usually can predict “plot twists” even the wildest ones), but this book kept me on my feet!

5.0✨

Special thanks to @stmartinspress and NetGalley for the eARC

THE INTERN by Michele Campbell is a gripping, cat-and-mouse suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. Harvard law school student Madison Rivera is thrilled to land a highly-coveted internship with the famous Judge Kathryn Conroy, someone she has idolized since childhood. But Madison is hiding a secret about her younger brother, Danny, that could derail this amazing opportunity. Danny is under arrest for dealing drugs and it is one of Judge Conroy’s cases. While secretly trying to get answers about her brother’s case, Madison learns that the judge may not be who she seems. Both women have secrets that could put their careers and their lives in danger. Can they trust each other enough to help each other, and Danny, before it’s too late? The story is narrated by both Madison and Kathryn and provides the perfect blend of legal drama and mystery. It is full of secrets, lies, manipulation and corruption and kept me guessing right until the end. I really enjoyed this fast-paced legal thriller and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

[ Thank you @stmartinspress & @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

PUB DATE: October 3, 2023

THOUGHTS:

Need a thriller rec for spooky season? Look no further!!

This was a classic cat and mouse thriller. I really liked the different povs - Madison (the law student) and Kathryn (the judge). I honestly like reading both pov, especially Kathryn’s background chapters.

It was fast paced and unputdownable. I was hooked on this legal thriller. It was a bit predictable but I didn’t care because I still wanted to see how it was going to end!

Overall, solid story! I’ll definitely be checking out the author’s backlist novels.

Madison Riviera, a Harvard student who has taken an internship in Federal Judge Kathryn Conroy’s chamber. When Madisons’s brother is arrested for a drug bust she finds herself at a difficult crossroads. In a world of dirty cops and crooked crimes, she can trust no one. Will she lie, or will she try to help her brother out?

Such a fast paced, wild game of cat and mouse. Where you may not be able to trust a single soul. I love legal thrillers so I was thrilled to have this in my possession!

This book is written in dual perspective, between Madison and judge Conroy. Allowing to see the parallels between our two main characters. The dual perspective really lets you see a larger picture even if the book in the end allows you to draw your own conclusion.

This tense, page-turner will leave you breathless with every twist and turn.

Important things you need to know about the book:

The Intern is a fast-paced book that burns through the storyline. For the most part, the storyline keeps up with the author’s fast dialogue and pacing. But, it does get a bit choppy (not laggy, choppy) in the middle of the book (during Kathryn’s storyline, when her co-worker gets blown up). The choppiness didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book, but it did distract me from what was happening.

The Intern is told from a dual point of view: Madison in the present day and Kathryn in the past. When the author switches, she clearly states who it is and, in most cases, where that person is. I did not have an issue following the storyline back and forth.

There are trigger warnings in The Intern. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Violence: This book has a lot of violence, both on and off the page.
Gore: Again, the gore is both on and off the page.
Abusive Relationship: I did go back and forth when deciding to put this as a warning. But Kathryn is in an abusive relationship with her half-brother and his mother. It goes back years (to when she was 12 years old). The abuse is primarily verbal and psychological, but there are instances of physical abuse.
Assault: In prison, Madison’s brother, Danny, is assaulted. There are attempts of assault on Madison throughout the book.
Cancer: Kathryn’s mother had leukemia in the past and present of The Intern.
Death: There is a lot of death in The Intern. The deaths range from accidents to murder.
Gun Violence: There is gun violence throughout the book, both on and off the page.
Police Brutality/Corruption: This is a massive theme throughout The Intern. Almost every police officer/correctional officer, except a couple, is in cahoots with Charlie.
Sexual Content: There are some light kissing scenes, mainly between Kathryn and her deceased husband. There are implications of Kathryn’s mother sleeping with Eddie at the beginning of the book.

Language: There is explicit language.

Setting: The Intern is set in Boston and the surrounding suburbs (northeast and south). Some scenes are set in Washington, D.C., New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The author didn’t give a ton of detail about Boston or any of the other states. However, the author provided enough for me to agree that the author did her research.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

A Harvard student, Madison is thrilled to be in a class taught by her idol, Judge Kathryn Conroy. She is even more delighted when the judge offers her an internship in her chambers. But Madison’s joy turns to disbelief when her brother, arrested on drug charges, tells her that Kathryn is dirty. Then, he goes missing. So, it is up to Madison to find out where he is and if Kathryn is dirty. But Kathryn has her secrets. With Madison wary and looking for answers and Kathryn needing to protect hers, there will be a showdown, and someone will get hurt. When the dust settles, who will be left standing?

Main Characters:

Madison Rivera: I liked her, even if I did find her slightly annoying. She had to work hard to get to where she was. But, once her brother dropped his bombshell, Madison immediately acted. She was determined to help him and find him when he disappeared. Her determination, her wanting to network, and (if I’m going, to be honest) her being nosey were a massive part of why Madison ended up embroiled in Kathryn’s issues. There was a point in the book where I wondered if she would become expendable, but that was put to rest by the end. I am glad that her storyline ended the way it did.

Judge Kathryn Conroy: I am not going to mince words here. She had a crap life up to the age of twelve. Her mother was self-absorbed and an awful mother. Her father treated Kathryn like a dirty secret. Uncle Ray skeeved me out. The worst thing that could have happened to her was her mother getting sick and her going to live with Eddie. Kathryn was set up from that age on to become a part of a vast criminal network, and no matter how many times she tried to get out, they found ways to pull her back in. I didn’t judge her for doing what she did after her husband’s death. I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. I was just surprised she kept it a secret from Ray for a long time. I also would have struck the same deal that she did with Madison.

My review:

The Intern was a well-written thriller that kept me glued to the book. I didn’t know where the plotline would take me from one page to another. When I finished the book, I felt like I should double-check the locks on my doors. I was that unnerved.

The mystery/thriller angle was terrific. As I said, I didn’t know what I was getting from one page to another. There were some interesting and surprising twists thrown in throughout the book. But the one that surprised me was what happened with Ray at the end of the book. I was expecting something else.

The end of The Intern was typical. I liked how the author wrapped up the storylines. I had no issues believing the end of Madison’s storyline. The end to Kathryn’s was a little more unbelievable, but it didn’t matter. I enjoyed it.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Michele Campbell for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Intern. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

#FirstLine ~ She loved the way her professor moved.

The Intern is a gripping novel by an author who skillfully navigates the intricate terrain of class, ambition, family, and murder, readers are taken on a thrilling journey into the high-stakes world of Harvard law student Madison Rivera and the charismatic Judge Kathryn Conroy.

The Intern masterfully navigates the complexities of power, influence, and morality within the legal system. The author deftly crafts a narrative that is rife with suspense, intrigue, and moral ambiguity. Readers will find themselves captivated by the intricate dance between Madison and Judge Conroy, two strong-willed women whose lives become inextricably entwined in a perilous cat-and-mouse game.

The novel's tension escalates with each page, as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and danger lurks around every corner. The relentless pursuit of truth and justice keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next revelation. The author's ability to maintain a sense of uncertainty and unpredictability throughout the story adds to the overall thrill of the narrative.

The Intern is a timely and riveting legal thriller that delivers on its promise of suspense, intrigue, and moral quandaries. Readers will be enthralled by the intricacies of the legal world and the intricate web of relationships woven by Madison and Judge Conroy. This novel is a compelling exploration of ambition, loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

When I started this book, I was a little uncertain about whether I would like it or not because the intro is a slow burn as the characters get into place. But, let me just say, WOWZA! Once the action got started, it never stopped all the way to the end! Madison Rivera is a lower middle class law student at Harvard whose idol is Judge Kathryn Conroy. When the judge suggests that Madison should apply to be her intern, Madison is over the moon with excitement, until she realizes that her family secret may thwart her success with the judge. Told in the points of view of both women, this novel became a pulse-pounding race to the finish to see if ether of them would survive their machinations against the local crime bosses. The secrets are revealed slowly within the story, making the plot complex and compelling. The characters were all dynamic but none more so than the main characters whose lives depend on each other and they don’t really trust one another. With a fast pace and characters that are as complex as the story, this book is one to remember and then discuss with friends, book groups or whoever will listen to me rant about how much I loved the twists in the plot and the surprise ending. Expertly crafted by a master storyteller, this is a powerful story about class, corruption and trust. I loved the subplots and the depth to the story, especially how the author tied everything together neatly at the end. This book is a cleverly written page-turner that surprised me constantly and kept me engrossed in the plot and the lives of the characters.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Intern is a psychological thriller. Michele Campbell writes a timely story that will have you wondering how this story will end. I highly recommend.

The Intern was like reading The Firm on steroids. A perfectly executed legal thriller with suspense on nearly every page. A Harvard law students idol Judge Conroy, becomes her teacher and then mentor. The Intern would make a fantastic movie.

I think this was a little different from Michelle Campbell's other books in that they were more domestic suspense and had a different type of suspense vibe going on. I don't mean to be coy but I don't want to give anything away.

In THE INTERN we meet Madison. She has come from very little and has managed to make it to Harvard law school. She doesn't want anyone at school to know about her family because in Harvard circles, it just wouldn't fly. Her brother has a less than stellar record and the last thing she needs is people associating her with her brother.

Her brother gets in trouble (again) for a crime he swears he didn't commit but is being told by his attorney he needs to confess to and at the same time Madison is accepted for an internship by a well-known judge.

There is a link between Madison and this judge that comes into play which was fun to watch unfold. There were a lot of crooked players, illegal activities, and criminals in this book and you never knew who was lying. The dual POV's kept me wondering star was coming next and kept me intrigued. All of these things made for a real page turner!

The Intern kept promising to be great. Or at least pretty good. It just continued to live up to "OK". We had two supposedly intelligent women. But they made ridiculous after ridiculous decisions. Both of them. Most of those decision centered solidly men who were using them. Such a waste. They could have worked together from the beginning.

This book wandered back and forth deciding what it wanted to be when it grew up. It ended up being stuck in its own adolescence. In that space, it felt like a grownup when it finally did something responsible.

The book ended up being OK, but nothing special.

When Madison meets Judge Conroy and lands a coveted intern position on her staff, her future is secure. After all, she has already learned the basics of family law and now she'll gain valuable practical experience from an esteemed judge. But things are never as easy as they seem. Is the judge a good guy or a bad guy? Will she judge the defendants.....including Madison's brother.....fairly or will she weild her power as a hammer and make examples of them? This reader's answer changed with each new chapter. As the back stories unwind, the tension and suspense increase and it's a race to the end. An excellent example of several genre, legal/ thriller/ procedural/ physcological. Which ever one you thought this was.....it is and it's GOOD!

This book started off slow but then picked up. So if you read the blurb, then you know the basics of this story. Told from two POV’s the judge and the student, her intern who is the judge assigned to the intern’s brother. It picks up and it was a good read. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC I was given for an honest review.

Unpopular opinion, but this one was not for me 🙈 It’s marketed as a legal thriller, but it’s more like a domestic thriller with a mob story to it. I’m not a huge fan of domestic thrillers and I did not care for the mob element. I also found the storyline to be a bit outlandish and you really have to suspend your disbelief here. It could be because I am a lawyer, but I just could not ignore the unrealistic view of the legal world. It had a strong start, but ultimately I did not enjoy it.

This is a game of cat and mouse between a student and a prominent figure. Nobody can be trusted until they can prove they are the good guys, and there are not a lot of them in this book. I normally side with the FBI, but not in this story.
I did feel bad for Conroy because she didn’t choose the life she was born into which ends up having lifelong repercussions she never saw coming. Madison and Conroy are strong women in their own way, and I liked both of them at different times. There were a few good twists that I never saw coming. It has been awhile since I've read a legal thriller, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy them.

: Madison has just landed her dream internship with her favorite professor, who also happens to be the judge who sent her brother to prison. Faster than you can say wait what.. the two are sharing dangerous secrets that could get them killed.

: I am seeing plenty of great reviews for this one, so I would encourage readers to take my review with a grain of sand. I liked the plot, and the twists this one took. It was fast paced and pretty likable.

That is until Madison opens her mouth. Her dialogue felt so cheesy and her decision making skills are very questionable. How this girl is on track to be a Harvard lawyer, I’ll never know. She killed this book for me. I couldn’t see past how badly she was annoying me. If the Judge was the only POV, this could have been a 5 star read!

Big fan of author Michele Campbell, read all her books and this is the best. Loved it. The Intern is fast paced, refreshingly original, suspenseful and a page turner.
Madison was attending Harvard Law school her favorite professor is Judge Kathryn Conroy. Madison meet Judge Conroy while attending Catholic prep school. She attended a meeting where the Judge was a guest speaker. So when she attended her classes she made every attempt to impress her professor. Madison and the Judge soon make friends and the Judge encourages Madison to apply for a intern job in her office.

Madison learns that her brother Danny has been arrested on drug charges. Madison discovers that Judge Conroy is overseeing his case. Danny tells Madison he is innocent and the judge and attorney are crooked.
During Madison's interview for the intern position she doesn't tell the judge about her brother Danny. She tells the judge she is an only child.

Will the friendship between Madison and Judge Kathryn Conroy help or hurt her family? What will Madison do to help her brother Danny?
Thank you NetGalley the opportunity to read and give an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This one was sort of a miss for me. I just didn't feel there was anything too memorable about it. It read like a lot of other thrillers/female-centered suspense I've read in 2023.

I absolutely love Michele Campbell’s books and The Intern was no exception! It was a heart pounding, suspense filled legal thriller that I found so hard to put down. It was a quick and fast paced read that kept me engaged and on my toes the entire book. I loved the characters and their development throughout the book and of course I loved the dual POV as well. The shocking ending left my head spinning and I can’t wait to see what story she comes up with next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my early digital copy for my honest thoughts!

This is a book that captivated me right from the start. If I hadn't been visiting out-of-town family, I would have been tempted to not put the book down until I finished it. I have read a couple of other books by this author and this one is the best by far, I love how the story is split into five sections and has alternating POV's between Madison and Kathryn. Both of them have their lives affected by something that they didn't anticipate. I feel at least empathy for both of them and I really like Madison. I don't want to spoil the story by describing it further. It's an excellent suspenseful mystery that will pull you in. The mystery is more on whether and how they can get themselves safely out of the dangerous situation. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review.