Legal thriller
The Intern
Early Release
This is an early release that's only available to our members—the rest of the world has to wait to read it.
Quick take
This tense struggle between a crooked judge and her intern will amp your pulse and have you looking over your shoulder.
Good to know
Fast read
Multiple viewpoints
Nonlinear timeline
Cat and Mouse
Synopsis
Madison Rivera lands the internship of a lifetime working for Judge Kathryn Conroy. But Madison has a secret that could destroy her career. Her troubled younger brother Danny has been arrested, and Conroy is the judge on his case.
When Danny goes missing after accusing the judge of corruption, Madison’s quest for answers brings her deep into the judge’s glamorous world. Is Kathryn Conroy a mentor, a victim, or a criminal? Is she trying to help Madison or use her as a pawn? And why is somebody trying to kill her?
As the two women circle each other in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, will they save each other, or will betrayal leave one of them dead?
Free sample
Get an early look from the first pages of The Intern.
The Intern
1
November
Cambridge, Massachusetts
She loved the way her professor moved. The swish of auburn hair. The grace of her gestures. The nervous energy as she paced behind the podium. Madison had admired Kathryn Conroy since she’d heard her speak at a high school career day years before. A thousand times, she’d imagined herself following in Conroy’s footsteps. Having a career like hers. Starting out as a crusading prosecutor, taking on the mob, the drug cartels. Holding press conferences, appearing on TV, looking amazing doing it. Then getting appointed to the bench, presiding over high-profile cases, writing opinions that were read across the land. Becoming so renowned that she’d be invited back to teach, with students hanging spellbound on her every word the way she did with Conroy now. Such a future was within the realm of possibility for Madison. She was one of the stars of her year. Top grades. Law review. A summer clerkship at one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston. On top of that, the special sparkle that came from her looks, her way with words, her confidence in the face of a challenge. Call it charisma, whatever—she had it. Coming out of Harvard Law, her opportunities were limitless.
Correction. Should be limitless. But there was a crack in the perfect facade, which came from her past. The fault lines were threatening everything she’d built. She worried that . . .
“Miss Rivera.”
Shit. She’d tuned out for a split second, and now Conroy was staring at her from the lectern with a finger on the seating chart. She had no idea what the question was. There was nothing for it but to admit that and brazen it out.
Why I love it
Jeneva Rose
Author, You Shouldn't Have Come Here
When I received an advanced reader copy of The Intern, I knew I was in for a treat because Michele Campbell does not disappoint. What I didn’t know was that I was holding her best work yet. Sharply written and masterfully plotted, Campbell weaves a brilliantly layered story featuring strong female characters who are forced to decide between doing the right thing or doing right by their families.
Meet Harvard law student Madison Rivera, who has just been offered the chance to intern for Judge Kathryn Conroy, a woman she greatly idolizes. It’s a dream come true, there’s just one hitch: Madison’s brother has been arrested, and his case has been assigned to Conroy. Fearing she’ll lose the internship if she discloses her brother is on the judge’s docket, Madison opts to keep it a secret—but she’s not the only one keeping secrets, and some are much more dangerous than others. When her brother goes missing after accusing the judge of corruption, Madison starts digging into Conroy’s life and quickly realizes not everything is as it seems with her idol. The two women have something to gain both from working together and working against one another—but which will they choose, and can they trust that they’ll both be on the same page?
Part legal thriller, part cat-and-mouse page turner, The Intern is fully addictive and should be your next read. I rest my case.
Member ratings (4,335)
Kelsey A.
Pittsburgh, PA
I loved learning about the two women who lead this story and how their past brought them together. A great reminder that you don’t have to be defined by your upbringing and to fight for what you want.
Mary D.
Hamburg, NY
Fast paced and riveting; I couldn’t put this one down. Welcome to the seedy side of law enforcement, and the legal system! Thought provoking and chilling at the same time. Would make a good movie.
Diana T.
bridgewater, MA
The twists! The turns! Love a legal thriller and this didn’t disappoint. The crooked judge you have sympathy for? The feds are bad too? Over and over I didn’t want to believe what I was reading.
Laura K.
McLean, VA
Began to love it when I got to Kathryn’s story—so keep reading. So many threads come together! The story always pulls forward. It has a good amount of heart. Love that both women are brilliant.
Jared B.
Glendale, AZ
Of the legal thrillers I’ve read, this one is my favorite. Fast-paced, twisted and unpredictable (but also very stylish). This one kept me guessing, and most importantly, kept me turning the page!