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!

Madison has landed the internship of a lifetime. She is going to be working with her favorite professor, Judge Kathryn Conroy. But, she has lied on her application. She just cannot tell the judge about her brother. But the deeper Madison gets into this job the more she realizes, it is not just her with secrets.

Boy! What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! This story just keeps twisting around until you don’t know which way it will end! It is hard to describe because you just don’t want to give anything away…JUST READ IT!

I have been a fan of this author for quite a while. Her stories are always a labyrinth of turns. But don’t worry…it all comes out in the end. And this one is no different. This is a smart read…you blink, you will miss it!

Need an intricate tale of misdeeds and betrayals…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Intern is a fast paced story, taking you from Boston to DC, knee deep in corruption and the political espionage of a mafia controlled judge and her intern whose only trying to clear her brothers name.

Michele Campbell does an amazing job of weaving this story through different POVs and time hops - where you think you have all the information, you really only have a sliver. Where you think you know motives - well, you just quite frankly don’t. And when you think you’ve figured out who is going down for the crime and who is getting off free…try again. I absolutely loved the way the book was paced - it was enough to build suspense and give the reader insight into how this all happened, but it was also not enough to make the story too predictable or unfolding too quickly to follow. There were parts where I had to go back and reread a section/replay a section of the audio book because a detail caught my attention and I wanted to double check my suspicion or connection.

Overall this was so well done - I haven’t read a thriller like this in a while and it was so fun. Definitely a five star read and an author I’ll be returning to in the future.

This was a first time author for me. This book had a lot of twists and turns that had you thinking who is what.

I love lawyer books. You never know what is going to happen!

Thank you net gallery for giving me the chance to read a fantastic book. Loved it

Book Review — “The Intern” by Michelle Campbell (2023)

Categories — Thriller/Suspense, Legal, Academia, Dual POV, Student-Teacher, Quick Read, Cat and Mouse

Pub Info — St. Martin’s Press, came out yesterday October 3. Almost 4k reviews and a 3.9 average on Goodreads. Also part of BookSparks #FRC2023.

Who’s It Good For? — If you’re a bit nerdy and like legal/academic themed thrillers (same), if you’re into mob/corruption themes, if you’re into books that make you wonder why characters are behaving the way they do, if you’re looking for something you can read in one sitting

More Info (No Spoilers) ⤵️

👩🏻‍⚖️ The story follows Madison Rivera, a first-gen and minority student at Harvard Law School. She can’t believe her luck when she gets the internship of a lifetime working for her favorite teacher Judge Kathryn Conroy, a federal judge hotshot.

💼 On her application, Madison left out that her brother is facing federal charges under the Judge’s jurisdiction. As it turns out, she enters into weird relationship with the Judge that results in favors beyond the scope of an intern.

🎓 Without spoiling, the story (imo) is mostly based on the walls caving in on the Judge and her past, with Madison dragged in. Corruption, bad family ties and obligations, running from your past, etc.

👩🏻‍⚖️ The author also went to law school and was a prosecutor; she draws on this experience.

💼 I read this in one night — it does move quickly and is consumable. Some points are a bit convoluted and unrealistic imo, but I think overall it was a unique premise drawn together by a “walls are closing in” sense of pressure and paranoia from the Judge that facilitates the weird and dangerous favors from her intern. That is critical to the whole plot, and if you can connect and believe this feeling and POV of the judge, as well as the sense of urgency (and maybe loyalty?) from Madison that keeps her hanging on, then I think you can overcome any sense of disbelief in the realistic nature of the actions by the main characters. That’s one of the criticisms I see in reviews, so it’s worth noting.

I thought this was a good read to spend a night with. I liked the Judge’s bits the most!

✨ Book Review ✨

The Intern by Michele Campbell

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Madison Rivera scores an internship with her idol, Judge Conroy, but is she the upstanding person that Madison thought she was? Can Madison find her missing brother and find out what happened to him?

I was excited to get an ARC of this now newly released thriller book, which was very compelling to read! I wanted to get to the bottom of her brother’s arrest and what was really going on behind the scenes with Judge Conroy. I love the relationships between the characters and how off-putting Michele can write some of them. This book has an eerie, unsettling feeling and makes you feel connected to and empathize with the characters at the same time.

I enjoyed this book, but there were a few drawbacks. Sometimes it could be hard to follow along with the story because the author would go from past to present and back to past but at different parts of the past and present. I understand why she did this, as it supported the story’s progression, but it was still a little hard for me to follow. Also, this book was a little slow at first and hard to get into, but when it did start picking up the pace, I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest book review!

Can’t go wrong with Michele Campbell! Really enjoyed the story and the twists. I’d highly recommend any story by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

* Thanks Netgalley for the free e-arc of this book.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was interested but skeptical. I have read some legal thrillers in the past and they contained too much jargon where it made the story confusing at times, but this book...

I really enjoyed this book when it comes to the mystery behind the story. The use of dual perspectives and time jumps were nice, too, because they helped me to better understand Judge Conroy and her actions throughout the story. The legal vocabulary used throughout the book was also easy to follow, however, I wish there was more to this story, like more suspenseful scenes to build up to the main conflict.

3 stars

First, massive thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy of this AMAZING book!!!

I’ve been seeing tons of 4⭐️ for this book, but to me it’s for sure a 5⭐️!

It’s been quite some time since a book has made me want to get home sooner so I can dive into that days chapters. Y'all, I ate this book up. I absolutely love my legal thriller shows and movies and this book was everything I could’ve hoped for!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Are the characters super infuriating?! You bet lol but to me they are relatable, they're real in their own ways and the writing of this book was just immaculate. I have some books by Michele Campbell on my shelves that I have clearly been sleeping on.

Absolutely recommend picking this one up asap!
(Pub date - Out now!!!)