Michele Campbell

International Bestselling Author

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Book Clubs

Special Offer for Book Clubs

Want to surprise your friends at your next book club meeting?  Be the hostess with the mostess and invite the author into your home for a video chat!  For a limited time, Michele will personally appear by telephone or Skype or Zoom to discuss to discuss THE INTERN, THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, A STRANGER ON THE BEACH, SHE WAS THE QUIET ONE and/or IT’S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND at your book club or reading group meeting!  Contact Michele by clicking here and she’ll be delighted to arrange it with you.

Book Club Discussion Questions (Please note:  the questions may contain spoilers!)

A few suggested questions to jump-start your discussion of THE INTERN:

  1. Kathryn grew up in difficult circumstances, not just financially, but emotionally. What scars does she carry from her dysfunctional childhood? How does her past influence her actions in the present?
  2. The novel opens with Madison describing her admiration for Judge Conroy. How do you think this admiration affected her relationship with the judge? How did it change throughout the
    novel?
  3. What did you think of Ray as a character? Did he have a moral compass, or was he motivated solely by power and greed? What was the source of his appeal to Kathryn? To her mother? Did you like him? Did your view of him change over the course of the novel?
  4. The theme of trust is explored throughout the novel. Why do you think Madison ultimately trusted Kathryn? What do you think was the pivotal moment that secured her trust? How do
    you decide who you can trust? What does it take for you to trust someone?
  5. The theme of family, both found and blood-related, is discussed throughout the novel. What makes someone family? Is it simply blood relation or more than that? What do you think
    someone’s responsibility to their family is?
  6. Discuss Madison’s role in her family as the older daughter and as a first-generation college student. How do you think this impacted her decisions?
  7. Madison’s responsibility to her family at times conflicts with her law school responsibilities. Similarly, Kathryn’s responsibilities to Ray and Charlie affect her ability to fulfill her duties as a federal judge. Think about a time your personal and professional life conflicted. How did you handle it?
  8. Discuss Kathryn and Sylvia’s relationship. Do you think Sylvia was a good mother? How do you think it will affect Kathryn’s relationship with her own daughter?
  9. The novel explores the tension between law and justice. For example, Danny was arrested over drugs that weren’t his even though he was found with them. Do you believe there are cases where the law gets it wrong?
  10. Did you see the ending coming? If yes, when did you start to figure it out? If not, what did you think was going to happen?

A few suggested questions to jump-start your discussion of THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH:

  1. The Wife Who Knew Too Much opens with Nina’s diary entry warning that Connor is planning to kill her to be with another woman, followed by the news report of her death. Did you ever question whether Nina was telling the truth in her diary? If you believed her, how did that affect your reaction to the other characters as the book unfolded? Were you able to keep an open mind about the cause of Nina’s death, and who the guilty part(ies) might be?
  2. Tabitha first met Connor when she worked as a pool girl at his grandmother’s country club. Years later, they found each other again when he walked into the restaurant where she was working as a waitress. How did the wealth and class differences between them influence their relationship? How did it constrain her behavior throughout the book?
  3. Tabitha grew up in difficult circumstances, not just financially, but emotionally. What scars does she carry from her dysfunctional childhood? How does her past influence her actions in the present?
  4. Nina’s chapters reveal harrowing details about her relationship with her first husband, the real-estate tycoon Edward Levitt. What effect did that marriage have on Nina? Did you sympathize with her, or judge her for staying with him? What role did Nina’s marriage to Edward play in her later behavior toward Connor? What role did it play in the circumstances that led to her death?
  5. What effect does the Levitt fortune have on various characters in the book? Discuss this with respect to Nina, Connor, Tabitha and Juliet.
  6. What did you think of Connor as a character? Did he have a moral compass, or was he motivated solely by vanity and greed? What was the source of his appeal to Tabitha? To Nina? Did you like him? Did your view of him change over the course of the novel?
  7. The theme of trust within marriage is present throughout The Wife Who Knew Too Much. How does trust (or the lack of it) affect Nina and Connor’s marriage? How does it affect Tabitha and Connor’s marriage? What role does lack of trust play in advancing the plot?
  8. The book follows Tabitha as she navigates two very different worlds – working as a waitress in New Hampshire, and enjoying vast wealth as Connor’s wife in the Hamptons. How well or poorly does Tabitha deal with the change in her circumstances? In which setting does she really belong? How did the two contrasting settings affect your feelings about Tabitha as a character?
  9. Were you happy with where Tabitha ended up, and the choices she made at the end of the novel? Why or why not?
  10. Did you see the ending coming? If yes, when did you start to figure it out? If no, what did you think was going to happen?

A few suggested questions to jump-start your discussion of A STRANGER ON THE BEACH:

  1. How do you see Caroline’s nervousness about Hannah fitting in to her character? Does it make her more sympathetic? Less?
  2. When you learned more about Aidan’s backstory partway through the novel, did it change your opinion of him? If so, in what way?
  3. Early in the novel, Caroline talks about the difference between thoughts and actions. What’s your opinion on this topic? Do you think that bad thoughts inevitably lead to bad actions, or are people entitled to think whatever they want? Explain why you think that way.
  4. On page 7, Caroline says “The thing about being rich is, there’s always someone richer.” Can you see this statement as a kind of foreshadowing of her actions later? Why do you think that wealth is so important to someone like Caroline?
  5. How did the dual narrator format affect your reading experience? Do you think it worked well within the novel?
  6. Halfway through the novel a huge storm hits the coast and damages Caroline’s beach house. How did this contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the second half of the novel? Can you point to specific passages where the writing created this atmosphere?
  7. Whose perspective did you believe (or believe more) while you were reading? When did your allegiances shift, and why?
  8. On page 165, Caroline says “The reckoning was coming for all of us. I could feel it.” What kind of reckonings does this book leave us with? Do you think that justice was served by the end of the novel?
  9. Given the dual narration and unreliable narrator in the novel, who do you think is actually the protagonist – Aidan or Caroline? Can you make an argument for both?
  10. Did you see the ending coming? If yes, when did you start to figure it out? If no, what did you think was going to happen?

A few suggested questions to jump-start your discussion of SHE WAS THE QUIET ONE:

  1. Rose and Bel Enright are not only sisters, but twins. How are they alike?  How are they different?  What baggage do they carry with them from childhood that affects their relationship once they arrive at Odell Academy?
  2. The two sisters have very different reactions to being sent off to boarding school. How do the pressures of Odell Academy affect each twin, and their relationship? Are they better or worse off for being sent away to boarding school together?
  3. Sarah and Heath Donovan have been appointed dorm heads of Moreland Hall with the specific mission to crack down on disciplinary violations.  What strengths do they bring to this task?  What weaknesses?  What challenges do they face as they try to carry out their assignment?  Do you think their efforts were doomed from the start, or would another couple without their problems have succeeded where they failed?
  4. What do you make of the relationship between Sarah Donovan and Rose Enright?  How do Rose’s feelings towards Sarah influence choices she makes regarding her sister’s relationship with Heath?  Does Sarah do everything she could/should do to help Rose?
  5. The most controversial aspect of this book is the relationship between Heath and Bel.  Did you find their relationship believable?  What made Bel vulnerable to Heath’s attentions? How did the people around her at Odell contribute to her vulnerabilities?  Given how many people suspected something was going on, how was it possible that nobody intervened? As between Heath, Bel and other people in Bel’s life, who bears blame for what happens to her?
  6. How do you react to the character of Sarah Donovan?  Do you find her relatable, naïve, strong, honorable, a good mother?  What experiences in her own background and in the history of her relationship with her husband influence the choices she makes as she deals with events in Moreland Hall?  How much blame does she deserve for the ultimate outcome?
  7. Discuss Heath’s strengths and flaws. Why does Sarah love him?  Why does Bel?  Do you see any redeeming qualities?  What in his background can explain his weaknesses.  What is it about Heath that ultimately leads to his downfall?  Ambition?  Lust?  Insecurity?  How do you think you would have reacted to him if you met him in real life?  If you had him as your high school English teacher?
  8. What role did Darcy Madden and the Moreland girls play in the events that led to the murder?  Were they important to the plot, or just an amusing diversion?  Do you think Darcy is truly evil, or is she just a teenager who’s into pranks and shenanigans?
  9. Martha Enright steps up to take in her orphaned granddaughters but then sends them off to boarding school, where one dies.  What did you think of her conduct throughout the book?  If you were her age, and in her circumstances, do you think you would have done things differently, or not?  Does she redeem herself in the end?
  10. Did you form an opinion early on about which twin dies, and whether the other twin was responsible?  Were there other suspects for the murder that you believed might be the actual killer?
  11. Did you find the ending satisfying?  How do you imagine Sarah and Rose will go on with their lives?  

A few suggested questions to jump-start your discussion of IT’S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND:

  1. What is it about the college setting that allows three girls as different as Kate, Jenny and Aubrey to bond?  What attracts them to one another?  What repels them?  If nothing terrible had happened at the end of freshman year, do you think their friendship would have had a future, or would they have gone their separate ways?
  2. Kate, Jenny and Aubrey come from very different backgrounds.  How is each character shaped by her upbringing and family circumstances?  Can the characters’ flaws be explained by their difficult childhoods or their complicated relationships with their parents – or is this just an excuse for bad behavior?
  3. Kate is at the center of two love triangles that shape the book.  She gets involved with Lucas despite knowing he was Jenny’s high school boyfriend, and she has an affair with Ethan, who is Aubrey’s husband.  What forces compel Kate to behave so badly?  Is she simply pursuing these men in order to take them away from her best friends, or do you believe her feelings for them?  How does the sense of betrayal Jenny and Aubrey feel when Kate steals their men influence their actions toward her?
  4. The story cuts back and forth in time between freshman year at Carlisle and the roommates’ reunion twenty years later.  Over those two decades, how do the three main characters change?  Do they grow up at all?  Does marriage, motherhood or career make them wiser, or kinder?  At the end of the book, which of the three do you believe is the happiest, or best adjusted?
  5. When Kate meets Owen Rizzo in the bar during the thunderstorm, she tells him her name is Maggie Price.  Why?  What role does Maggie Price’s suicide play in Kate’s inner life over the years?  Do you believe she feels guilt for it?  Does she feel genuine guilt for what happened to Lucas at the bridge?  Is Kate capable of true remorse?
  6. Why does Griff love Kate so much?  What did you think of his actions toward her throughout the course of their marriage, and at the very end?  Throughout the second half of the book, did you believe he killed her?  Does he seem remorseful, or not?  What do you think his future holds?
  7. The three roommates wind up in three very different marriages to three very different men.  Were the problems in these marriages a reflection of the women’s innate character flaws?  Were they inevitable?  If you had to pick one of the three men to be married to – Griff, Ethan or Tim – which would you pick?
  8. Which of the three roommates did you like best?  Which would you most like to have as a friend?  Which is most like you — are you a Kate, an Aubrey or a Jenny, or some combination of the three?

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Happy book birthday to the mega-talented @rharding Happy book birthday to the mega-talented @rhardingwriter! THE HATERS is out today, and it’s a summer must-read!!! Here’s the synopsis:
Camryn Lane is living her dream. After years of struggle and rejection, her first novel has finally been published. Her editor is happy; her teenage daughter is proud; and her boyfriend and friends are all excited for her. She’s on top of the world—until she receives a disturbing message from an unknown sender. As the online harassment creeps into Camryn’s personal life, she vows to find out who’s behind it. Is it a disgruntled reader? Or could it be someone she knows? The troll’s actions are escalating, and when the abuse turns deadly, it will take everything Camryn has to unmask the enemy so intent on destroying her—and finally learn why she’s being targeted. YUM!!! Perfect poolside read! #books #bookstagram #thriller #beachread #summerfun
WARNING— Someone is duplicating and scamming thi WARNING— Someone is duplicating and scamming this contest! Do not open any DMs that purport to be from me! DO NOT CLICK ANY LINKS that appear to be from me. One winner will be chosen on Friday and announced on my official Instagram and Facebook page. Don’t fall for the scam. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE FOLKS! 
  AMAZING GIVEAWAY ALERT! Is your book club looking for a great summer read?? Five copies of the HOT paperback of THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH to the lucky winner. To enter: 1) like this post. 2) follow @michelecampbellbooks on Instagram/ Facebook. 3) tag a friend who loves to read in the comments below. US only; winner announced Friday. #giveaway #books #bookstagram #bookclubs #beachread #summerfun #mustread #michelecampbell #thewifewhoknewtoomuch
Happy book birthday to the brilliant @livconstanti Happy book birthday to the brilliant @livconstantine2 ! THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH is out today, and it’s a deliciously twisted delight. A tale of scandal and deception, the fabulous sequel to a book we all adored, it’s a must-read for summer, by the pool or on the patio with a glass of rose. Perfection!! #books #bookstagram #thriller #suspense #mustread #twisty #fun #summer #beachy #livconstantine #mrsparrish
Happy book birthday to the fabulous @kimberlysbell Happy book birthday to the fabulous @kimberlysbelle! THE PARIS WIDOW is out today, and it’s a definite DO! NOT! MISS! Starts with a literal bang and never lets up the pace and the twists. Ultra-glamorous European settings. A must for your poolside reading this summer! And I should know because I was lucky to get an early peek. #books #bookstagram #thriller #suspense #twisty #summerfun #beachread #europeanvacation #mustread #luckyme
AMAZING SALE ALERT!! The luscious trade paperback AMAZING SALE ALERT!! The luscious trade paperback edition of my international bestseller IT’S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND is on sale on @amazon for just $6.99 for a limited time. Perfect for your beach bag this summer, or relaxing on the patio with a glass of rose! Get your copy now at link in bio. #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookaholic #thriller #beachread #mustread #itsalwaysthehusband #sale
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures who care so much. Sharing these beautiful flowers that my son gave me. Lots of love! #happymothersday #love #care #momsofinstagram #authorsofinstagram
Happy book birthday to my brilliant friend @wendyw Happy book birthday to my brilliant friend @wendywalkerauthor! @audible original MAD LOVE is out today! It’s a twisty tale of obsessive love and murder in a small CT town, narrated by Julia Whelan, with a full cast of actors including Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls/Handmaid’s Tale), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and Finn Wittrock (Luckiest Girl Alive, American Horror Story) and even a cameo by the talented author herself. DO NOT MISS. #books #bookstagram #thriller #obsession #audio #audible #wendywalker #madlove
AMAZING SALE ALERT!! The ebook of THE INTERN, my c AMAZING SALE ALERT!! The ebook of THE INTERN, my cat-and-mouse legal thriller about a young Harvard Law student who falls under the spell of a charismatic and mysterious judge, is on sale TODAY ONLY for $2.99 across all ebook platforms. Get your copy now at link in bio. #books #bookstagram #thriller #legalthriller #sale #ebook #stmartinspress #michelecampbell #theintern
Happy World Art Day! Sharing a few beautiful paint Happy World Art Day! Sharing a few beautiful paintings I’ve been lucky enough to visit with recently. #art #worldartday #portraits #women #museums #losangeles #london #boston #barcelona #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram
UK readers, THE INTERN is on sale all month for on UK readers, THE INTERN is on sale all month for only 99p on @amazonkindle! It’s a cat-and-mouse thriller about a law student who falls under the spell of a charismatic judge with a dangerous secret. Get a copy now at link in bio. #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #thriller #legalthriller #kindle #sale #theintern
Happy fifth anniversary to one of my favorite thri Happy fifth anniversary to one of my favorite thrillers, The Silent Patient by @alex.michaelides! @bookbub says THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is one of the “bonkers thrillers” you should read if you love that book too. LOL love it!! See full list at link in bio. #books #bookstagram #bookbub #bonkers #thriller #psycho #psychological #silentpatient #thewifewhoknewtoomuch
COVER REVEAL!! Obsessed with this stunning, chilli COVER REVEAL!! Obsessed with this stunning, chilling cover for @tessawegert’s new book! And the synopsis is just as compelling: “News of a missing Instagram celebrity brings Senior Investigator Shana Merchant to a frozen island community of just eight people. When the visit turns deadly, her hunt for a killer collides with a cold case she’ll never forget . . .” CAN NOT WAIT!! Coming Nov. 5, available for preorder now. #books #bookstagram #thriller #mystery #crime #coverreveal #authorsofinstagram
A million thanks to @bellamagazineuk for their lov A million thanks to @bellamagazineuk for their lovely review of The Intern! “We were drawn in from the very first page.” #grateful #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookreview #magazine #uk #thriller #legalthriller #theintern
A fabulous day in the book world with two twisty, A fabulous day in the book world with two twisty, fun beauties coming out! Happy book birthday to @kareneolson. AN INCONVENIENT WIFE is out today, and it’s a must-read, a killer thriller set in the modern world but based on Henry VIII. And your absolute fave @audible original, YOUNG RICH WIDOWS from @vanessalillie @kimberlysbelle @cateholahan and @laynefargo is out today in print! #books #bookstagram #thrillers #pubday #mustread #authorsofinstagram
AMAZING SALE ALERT!! This is not an April Fool’s AMAZING SALE ALERT!! This is not an April Fool’s joke! THE INTERN is an April deal on @amazonkindle in the UK — only 99p for the entire month. Get your copy of this twisty cat-and-mouse legal thriller about a young Harvard Law student who falls under the spell of a charismatic judge at link in bio. #books #bookstagram #sale #kindle #deal #april #thriller #legalthriller #theintern #hqstories
Happy pi day! I’m not much for math, but here’ Happy pi day! I’m not much for math, but here’s a peach pie I made during the pandemic when baking kept us sane. #piday #pie #peaches #tbt #gratitude #authorsofinstagram
Here’s something fun to get you through hump day Here’s something fun to get you through hump day — pretty pictures of my book babies in the wild at the @barnesandnoble in Marina del Rey! #books #bookstagram #bookstore #bookshelf #shelfie #california #shopping #michelecampbellbooks #authorsofinstagram
Bookmail! I devoured @kareneolson’s compulsively Bookmail! I devoured @kareneolson’s compulsively readable and wildly original modern Tudor mystery, AN INCONVENIENT WIFE, when I read the ARC. So naturally I was thrilled to open my mail and find a copy of the gorgeous book! Coming your way April 2. Do not miss! #books #bookmail #bookstagram #suspense #mystery #tudor #karenolson #authorsofinstagram
Happy paperback pub day to the brilliant @livconst Happy paperback pub day to the brilliant @livconstantine2! THE SENATOR’s WIFE is out today in paperback. Trust me, you want to grab a copy of this delicious, bingeable thriller right away. #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #thriller #suspense #mustread #livconstantine #authorsofinstagram
Delighted to share that THE INTERN is an editor’ Delighted to share that THE INTERN is an editor’s monthly thriller pick of @thatslifemagazine! Many thanks! #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #thriller #legalthriller #uk #hqstories #grateful #theintern
Delighted with this review of THE INTERN UK in The Delighted with this review of THE INTERN UK in The Morning Star: “breathlessly exciting from start to finish.” Thank you!!!! On sale now wherever books are sold. #books #bookstagram #thriller #legalthriller #suspense #ukedition #hqstories #theintern
Baby has a brand new look! My international bestse Baby has a brand new look! My international bestseller IT’S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND will be seven this year, and she’s going strong. So excited about these gorgeous new covers for the US and UK editions. Thanks to all the readers who have shown this book so much love. #books #bookstagram #thriller #suspense #stmartinspress #hqstories #itsalwaysthehusband
Happy Valentine’s Day!! Sending pretty flowers a Happy Valentine’s Day!! Sending pretty flowers and a red book, 📕 🌹because what else do we need, right? #valentines #galentines #books #bookstagram #theintern #flowers #hearts #love #authorsofinstagram
Delighted with this review of THE INTERN UK from T Delighted with this review of THE INTERN UK from The Peterborough Telegraph! A “guilty pleasure” is my favorite kind, especially for a legal thriller. Out now throughout the UK from @hqstories. #books #bookstagram #bookshelf #reading #mustread #thriller #suspense #legalthriller #michelecampbell #theintern #uk
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The Intern, by Michele Campbell

A Book of the Month Selection!

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  The Wife That Knew Too Much, by Michele Campbell

Now in Paperback!
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  A Stranger on the Beach, by Michele Campbell

Now in paperback!
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  She Was the Quiet One, by Michele Campbell

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iBooks Indies Indiebound

  its always the husband, by Michele Campbell

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