Michele Campbell

This uneven novel suffers from a lack of focus. It can’t seem to decide whether it’s about toxic friendships, obsessive behavior, or whodunit and how.

Three young women, assigned as roommates at a small private college in New Hampshire, develop a complex interdependency that still exists decades later when one of them stands on a crumbling bridge in the middle of the night, being urged to jump. Campbell attempts to hide the identity of the potential suicide (or murder victim?), but most show more readers will figure out early on who is the most likely candidate. She does a better job of keeping the enabler/accomplice (killer?) under wraps.

This is where things go off the rails, as a big-town cop turned small-town police chief hijacks the tale for about 100 pages, wanting to pull out all the stops in his investigation, while townspeople (specifically the mayor) want the whole thing to be simply swept under the rug, for a variety of reasons. There’s apparently an off-page confrontation, since passing reference is made to the police chief having been replaced by a more malleable character; the investigation loses momentum and is eventually abandoned as a plot thread. The Ultimate Revelation of exactly what happened on that bridge and who was involved is saved for a two-years-later epilogue, by which point most readers no longer care.

Because frankly, none of these three women is particularly likeable. Kate is the poor-little-rich-girl, who wants to buy affection via her money, sex appeal, and access to drugs and alcohol, but who routinely dismisses her friends’ preferences and needs; Aubrey is the poor-little-poor girl on scholarship, crushing on the glamorous Kate and willing to accept whatever crumbs fall her way; Jenna is the blue-collar striver who turns out to be just as ruthless and manipulative as Kate, but in a more subtle and devious way. Jenna starts out being the most sympathetic of the three, but eventually allows her drive for power to set own moral compass spinning.

None of this adds up to anything more than a mediocre read with Aubrey, in particular, given an inconsistent, unbelievable character arc. The reader looking for something non-taxing to fill a couple of afternoons can find many more satisfying selections without much effort. show less

#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 show more 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. show less

Another Christmas present book, this one from a selection that a friend claimed to have chosen at random! I love a lucky dip of books, so immediately picked out the one that looked the most fun to read after Christmas dinner. ‘It’s Always the Husband’ is, not to mince words, a fairly trashy mystery drama. The characters aren’t especially complex or sympathetic, yet the whole thing is addictive to read and cleverly plotted. I did enjoy the twist at the end, although it wasn’t show more entirely unexpected. The story centres on three women who met at university and a Dark Secret that still hangs over them twenty years later. I didn’t find the Ivy League milieu hugely convincing and the subsequent extramarital shenanigans are pretty sordid, but the pace is fast and I wanted to find out what happened. Despite their limited nuance, I did like that the main characters were female and, for all their flaws, had agency. Although I wouldn’t say ‘It’s Always the Husband’ is up to [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] standard, it certainly kept me turning the pages without demanding much concentration. show less

Caroline seemingly has it all. A great husband, kids, dream job, and a brand new beach house to top it all off. She wants to show off her perfect life and perfect family. But....it's all a facade. Underneath everything, Caroline and her life are a hot mess. So, she has a fling to make herself feel better. But unfortunately a one night stand that means nothing to her means so much more to the bartender she uses for gratification. But not everything is as it seems...

This is the kind of book show more where it is perfectly ok to absolutely hate all of the characters. I enjoyed hating every single one of them. That very fact sucked me right into the story....it was like driving by an accident scene. You don't want to slow down and look....but you can't help it. I didn't want to feverishly read about these people's demented lives....but I couldn't stop myself. What a ride.....great story!

I couldn't put this book down. Suspenseful. Twisted. Unputdownable. Loved it! I stayed up until 2 am because I had to finish this story. I love it when a suspense novel has me thinking "Oh my God....how F'd up are these people!'' the entire time. This is the first book by Michele Campbell that I've read....and I'm definitely reading her other two books, It's Always the Husband and She Was the Quiet One. A Stranger on the Beach was so stalkerishly creepy and twisted that I can't wait to find out what other demented creepiness this author has in store for me! She also has a new book coming out in 2020, The Wife Who Knew Too Much.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** show less