Customer Reviews

Intern

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For several weeks, I haunted Atlanta area bookstores, trying to find a copy of Intern. Repeatedly I heard, "We sold our last copy an hour ago." Once I read the book, I understood why the demand was so high.

When I first heard the title, my assumption was that the story was about physicians in training. However, soon I realized that "intern" took on new meaning during a recent Presidential term. With that in mind, I was not surprised that the book was about a testosterone-driven political leader.

Intern reminded me of Lord Acton's famous saying: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This novel reflects today's headlines in many ways. Politicians, super athletes, actors, musicians, and others who merit the term "icon" forget their vulnerability. Having received special treatment for most of their lives, they have escaped consequences that ordinary citizens would face. However, as in the case of Intern's central figure Eric Barry, a day of reckoning comes. Immunity vanishes. Lies and intrigue do not work any longer. A noose tightens, and exit doors close.

Possibly the book's strongest appeal lies in the realistic dialogue. Bonnie Hearn Hill has her characters speak to each other using genuine conversational style, quite unlike what we hear on soap operas or read in tabloids.

Although this is the first Bonnie Hearn Hill book I have read, it won't be the last. I will read what is available now, and anticipate the two books she writes annually.

Fans of Bonnie Hearn Hill know her as the gifted author of Huelga House and Johnnie Ray and Miss Kilgallen, and already respect her talent. Even they are in for an exciting surprise when they crack the spine on Intern. This is a compelling page turner that will keep you riveted with a story that unfolds constantly with new twists. Just when you think you have it figured out, she throws you another curve. If you can't read this straight through, cover to cover, it will drive you nuts to set it down. Bommie Hearn Hill is a great story teller. And don't miss the passing plug for her Best Friend and Main Squeeze - way to go, Bonnie.

Just don't get so caught up in the story that you miss the beauty of her writing. Bonnie Hearn Hill is a talented and skillful word artist. She deftly shifts points of view and tense as her characters develop and carry you along with their lives. As intriging as her story is, I found myself frequently stopping to reread passages from two pages previously because her writing is so good. What a great feeling to be caught up in a story and have to pure beauty of the writing sneak up and blow in your ear.

Personally. I can't wait for the next novel from this engaging new voice.

This book grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let me stop until I found out what really happened to the "intern". In each chapter, Hill gives just enough information to reel you in a little tighter but always leaves you wanting more.

This book shows both sides of this disturbing case - you feel the pain of the victim's family as well as the suspects family. The plot is very plausable - it is easy to see how one event led to the next but you never know what that next event will be.

I've enjoyed Hill's nonfiction books, but her fiction is even better. I can't wait for her next book.

The novel INTERN, written by Bonnie Hearn Hill, rips its plot from current media headlines. But the story is no rip-off. This book unites commercial fiction with literary by the author's ability to flesh out a known plot with fresh and perceptive characterizations.

We all know the story. April, the naïve young intern, falls in love with a power-hungry and kinky, oversexed senator, then disappears without a trace as if she never existed. The mother, Gloria, fights to make her daughter visible to the press and the police, while Suzanne, the typical politician's wife, struggles to keep her faith in her husband and their marriage. And the senator, as expected, cares only for his reelection.

What we don't know and what makes this book a compelling read are the people that Ms. Hearn Hill brings to life. It's their story we want and that's what she gives us with an amazing insight into each victim. And they are all victims of their own demons.

Each telling their story with their own unique voice, the thin-streamed plot thickens into a roaring river with twists and rapids that propel the reader to turn the pages with a frenzy. The only disappointment in this book is the actual whodunit. But who cares? That never was the point of this novel anyway.

An intern to a California State senator goes missing. It turns out the senator was having an affair with her. Sound familiar? This story seems to be loosely based on the Gary Condit and Chandra Levy story. The narration jumps around from one character to another, but once I got used to this style of writing, the story was easier to follow. I'm not normally a big fan of political thrillers, but Hill made this one interesting. The characters are complex and the dialog is especially well done. The story moves along at a good clip and there were frequent hooks to past secrets that kept me turning pages. There was a bit of graphic sex toward the end, which might not be for everyone. Even if the reader is not familiar with the Condit/Levy story, I think they will find this an interesting read.

This book is a hard one to review. I loved reading the first 90% of it. The problem arose in that I was pretty sure about a third in that I knew who-done-it and was reading just because it was a very well crafted story with great character development. The problem was the end started feeling more and more rushed to me, and when I finally got there, felt it was a let-down for such a great build-up.

Not a bad read, but I wouldn't rush out for it.

This book will hook you until the very end. It keeps you wondering what will happen next. Although ripped from the headlines, it doesn't disappoint. Bonnie Hearn Hill writes as though she understands each character and the motives that drives each, leading to a cohesive, spellbinding narrative. The different points of view make for exciting reading, without confusion. I highly recommend this book and Huegela House to any mystery reader.

Awesome read. This was a great book by a gifted writer. Hearn Hill weaves fact and fiction seamlessly and gives a dynamite payoff. I couldn't put it down.

As a reader of many books, romance and thriller, i enjoyed this book. It will keep you on the edge of your seat for days to come, you won't want to put the book down.

This book jumps from one character to another. Each character's point-of-view si given thought as to what had happened throughout the days of finding out the murderer of April Wayne.
Action happens and fights occur. More murders possibly and even blackmail. People turn on those that they love and soon others hate those that they once loved.
Secrets are revealed, lovers are lost.

Read the book, it will keep you guessing as to what happened and who did what!

I simply could not put the book down! I read constantly, and it is one of the few that I've read that I couldn't leave once I started it. Telling the story from everyone's point of view could have been confusing, but Bonnie Hearn Hill knows just how to do it. I also recommend Huelga House, another wonderful read. Hope you don't miss this intriguing story.