The Intern

by Peter Hogenkamp

Girl meets boy, finds love, and her life is transformed forever, but not in the way anyone expects.

Maggie Johnson is a twenty-seven-year old fledgling medical doctor struggling to get through her internship at ‘Our Lady of the Golden Arches,’ a busy charity hospital in Spanish Harlem; Bobby is a twelve-year-old ward of the state suffering from incurable cancer. They meet in the ninth month of Maggie’s internship, at a time when she is physically spent, emotionally drained, and uncertain if she wants to continue down the path her father—the renowned orthopedic surgeon and chief architect of her life—has laid out for her. Bobby’s courage and verve are as much of a balm for the rash of Maggie’s problems as her warmth and compassion are a balm for his; with Bobby in her life, the hours seem less long, the fatigue relents on occasion, and even the pressure from her father is easier to deal with. But when Bobby’s state-appointed guardian is pressured, against Bobby’s wishes, to change his code status to Do Not Resuscitate, Bobby’s life and Maggie’s new-found contentment—not to mention her career—hang in the balance.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2020

About the author

Peter Hogenkamp is a practicing physician, public speaker and author of medical fiction and thrillers living in Rutland, Vermont. Peter’s writing credits include The Intern (TouchPoint Press, April, 2020); the Marco Venetti Thrillers, The Vatican Conspiracy (Bookouture/HachetteUK, October, 2020) and The Vatican Secret (Bookouture/HachetteUK, April 2021); the Jade Stryker Thrillers, The Woman From Death Row (Tirgearr Publishing, June 2023) and A Hill To Die On (Tirgearr/Publishing, October 2024). He can be found on his author website, Peter Hogenkamp Books, as well as his personal blog, PeterHogenkampWrites, where he writes about most anything. Peter is the creator, producer and host of Your Health Matters, a health information program, which airs on cable television, streams on YouTube and sounds off on podcast. Peter was a finalist for the prestigious 2019 Killer Nashville Claymore Award as well as a top finalist for the 2020 Vermont Writer’s Prize.

Reviews

[Angie Sayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! This is an incredible story about a medical intern, and not only her relationship with a pediatric patient, but the relationships she encounters all day long - family, patients, co-workers, strangers, and friends. The author's descriptions of the characters and the settings were so real. I could visualize everything. You will easily fall in love with Maggie and Bobby and cheer them on as they maneuver their way through the adversaries they face and the people that they deal with on a daily basis. Many may find the relationship with Maggie and her dad as one they have felt in their own lives - trying to please someone and sacrificing your own happiness. The conclusion brought together so many of the relationships formed in this book. It leaves you with happiness, tears, and wonder.

[Courtney Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Johnson has lived the apparently perfect life. A brilliant student who has studied medicine at the best universities and is successfully completing her internship at a run down at the heel hospital in the poor part of New York city before presumptively swanning off to a bigger, better hospital to specialise in radiology and follow into the business of orthopaedics, just as her doctor father had planned for her since she was three years old. But this area of medicine does not set Maggie's heart aflutter. She is drawn to a different stream, that her father deems to be insignificant and not worthy of her time. Maggie works in the charity hospital Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy, otherwise known as Our Lady of the Golden Arches after McDonald's had built a restaurant next to it in 1974. In it there is one patient in particular who has captured Maggie’s heart - Bobby, who is twelve years of age, has been unsuccessfully battling cancer since he was seven and is a ward of the Office of the State Guardian, who is too busy to make the application to the courts to change his position to one of Do Not Resuscitate because she is too busy to fill in the paperwork, and has no one in his life who really gives a damn about him. He and Maggie have built a close relationship in the time she has been his doctor. But Bobby is a financial drain on the hospital, and the CEO of the hospital, Rachel Oberhausen is gunning to change his status and leave Bobby to die. The main storyline looks at the manner in which Maggie and Bobby manoeuvre to try and battle for his right to live.

Labelled as women’s fiction or new adult, is an ultimately uplifting medical story of one doctor truly making a difference in the life of one patient and of the difference of caring makes in the life of the doctor involved. It looks at the stresses a student doctor is placed under. It has a couple of romantic storylines and one of infidelity, and there is a story of domestic abuse and the responsibilities placed on society to protect those that can’t protect themselves. It also presents a sobering look at the pressure of todays society as to the presentation of what success ultimately looks like. It is written in an open manner that flows quickly, never overwhelms the reader with too much medical terminology, but also grants the reader a closer look into the world of medicine. This story is engaging and it is easy to understand why Maggie has made the decisions she has to this point of her life and are pleased to see her start making decisions for her life rather than her father railroading her into the life he deems correct. It is a journey of only a few weeks in her life, but they are tumultuous, powerful and painful weeks that will leave the reader touched to the voyage she makes.

Interestingly, there is a huge mistake on the front cover of this book, in which Bobby is very clearly depicted as an African-American boy, wherein the actual book he is described as a white male, suggesting that the artist didn’t even read a few chapters into the novel before rending the artwork for the book, which is very poor form for both the artist and the editors involved and makes a mockery of the writers' intentions and hard work in creating this moving story.

[Jim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy variety and surprise when I read, so no spoilers here, not even to explain the basic plot or characters. I’ll just say it’s engaging… I found myself caught up in it from the first page to the last. The characters are well drawn, complex and often just plain funny. The writing is lucid and at times poetic. It illuminates some of the trials and conflicts in the healthcare system. The plot is incredible, in the sense that it’s hard to believe that so much could happen to Maggie—I mean the numerous storylines and subplots, moral dilemmas and social injustices—in a short period of time. Yet it’s all tied together in a package that moves along like a thriller. I could hardly put it down.

I’ve read very little that bears comparison on its own. I can say that if I hadn’t read Samuel Shem’s The House of God I might have thought it unbelievable that an intern could face so much in such a short period of time. As with that book, I learned a lot here. Unlike that novel—which I think of as sort of a Catch-22 for the medical profession—this book offers hope through moral character.

[Randal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medical fiction is not a genre I'm familiar with (one book in so far), but I really enjoyed this. Peter Hogenkamp has created a well-rounded character in Maggie Johnson, and come up with a memorable supporting cast. Kudos for having a good enough ear to put several different voices into play, without resorting to parody. The dialogue works.

Because I'm a know-nothing when it becomes to medicine, I let the clinical details sort of flow past. I assume they're accurate, and there are a lot of them. They certainly lend verisimilitude to the story. And as for the story ... it's good. The author is a good storyteller. There's pace to the plot, moments of tension, pathos, and then humor. Nicely done.

One nitpick ... it needs an editor. There's a lot of little typos that occasionally pulled me out of the story (confusion over waive / wave, for instance, and some Random Capitalization). But overall, just an easy read. Pleasantly surprised. 4.5 stars.

PS I got an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Maura Gagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well told story of life as a medical intern. The author is able to paint the picture so well that I could almost smell that distinct hospital smell, and hear the city traffic outside an NYC hospital. The characters are people who you come to know and love and root for. Some of them - you may not want to root for them -but we have all probably known similar characters in our lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape and lose yourself for a few hours to wonderful story telling.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read just about anything and like to finish a book and think WOW! That was incredible. The Intern was MORE than incredible. It was real. It was raw. It was an amazing read. As I became each character in the book, I could relate to who they were because of what was happening to them. I’d like to believe we all have a bit of Maggie and Bobby in us. Read this book... you’ll cherish the victories and although at times feel defeated, you will realize it’s up to us to celebrate each day and do what you love. It’s what defines us as humans. I can’t wait for Peters next book!

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Peter HogenKamp, Touchpoint Press, Xpresso Book Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I could bring you this review.

Immediately, I was drawn to The Intern by Peter HoganKamp’s book by the incredible graphics on the cover on the book. It captured the book perfectly and tugged on my heartstrings as well. If you know me you know that I am a sucker for a good medical fiction book. It is one of the genres that I crave to read. This definitely satisfied my craving.

Being a former Medical Assistant/Office Assistant I was incredibly impressed with all the medical diagnosis, testing, result, and readings he put into this book. I also appreciated the medical education he gave to his readers on many levels.

I absolutely loved learning about all the different patients Maggie the intern had on a daily basis. Each were unique, had their own back story, and wow did some of them pull hard on your heartstrings big time!! Being the compassionate person that I am I wanted to reach into the book and give some of them each a hug.

My favorite patient had to be Bobby. He and Maggie had a special and unique bond. Both grew as stronger individuals being in eachother’s lives. However, he was one that had my emotions all over the place more than any of the other patients. I needed my tissues when it came to him.

Just by the writing style you could tell the writer was passionate about his characters, the storyline, and has a medical background (or did his research as it was incredibly detailed). It made it all the more fascinating for someone like me who loves the medical industry and the great customer service many get in health care to read.

There were a few surprises in the book I didn’t see coming and was a little shocked by.

Unfortunately, the author had some typing errors in the NetGalley copy I received. Words were not spaced out apart many times and all jumbled together. Many times it was difficult to read the sentence. This was not in the whole book just on a few pages.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a review of this book and got it for my library. Following the main character, Maggie Johnson, the intern of the title, I got a good idea of what it is like to be an intern, especially an intern in a hospital which serves poor people. She makes a friendship with 12 year-old Bobby whose life has been nothing but hardship. Her relationship with her father, also a physician, but a man who is arrogant and demanding, is fraught. In the book she finally learns to follow her own heart and not feel the need to keep pleasing others, especially her father. Really good read!

[Beth Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in right from the start. Maggie is a struggling intern, trying to get through her residency at a NYC hospital. As she moves through her days she interacts with many people, interns, her father, who is a big shot orthopedic surgeon, her teachers & her patients. One of her patients is Bobby, a 13 year old with terminal cancer. Diagnosed at age 7, he is a ward of the state with no one to love him except Maggie. During the coarse of the book, Maggie makes decisions based on her instincts that get her into hot water with her superiors. But isn't a doctor's job to treat people? Shouldn't she try to help the people she treats? Sometimes it seems that the more established doctors seem to think more of their career than of their patients. Is that the kind of doctor Maggie wants to be? Maggie learns many lessons during the book, and although some of them are painful, they definitely make her a better doctor. The characters in this book are so vivid that the entire book comes alive for you as you read it. I highly recommend it.

[Sharon Gallager · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick read. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the glimpse given into the life of The Intern, Maggie, toiling away in an inner-city hospital of New York. While the outcome was predictable, that did not lessen the anticipation or satisfaction of the resolution to the story. Recommended.

[Douglas P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad when it ended. Peter Hogenkamp clearly knows how to develop interesting characters, write excellent dialogue and tell a compelling story. Let’s hope he can find time soon to write another Maggie Johnson novel. I’m sure she’ll face many challenges in her still budding career.

[Beverly Fedolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read!

I got this book out of curiosity. I know the author. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried, I was happy, I was sad. It is a must read for anyone. I had no idea what people go through or feel as they work towards becoming doctors.

[Melissa Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Local author!
Loved it!!

[Shivani · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

E-Arc provided by Netgalley for my honest opinion.

As I read this book, I began to appreciate it more over time. The first half to me personally was a little slow. I felt like the time it took to describe the hospitals, how rotations worked, and the overall monotony of being an intern could have been shortened. I came in with the perception that I would enjoy those parts because I want to become a physician, and I realize that is the reality of what residency and internship looks like, but I really didn’t enjoy reading about it. I did appreciate that after the halfway point, things really picked up. When the topic of do not resuscitate and moral topics were brought up, I found that to be much more interesting. Maggie as a character is someone I would strive to be like. It’s easy to feel like many of the other residents felt, overworked, tired, not earning enough money, and just trying to get through residency so they can become hot shot doctors in specialized fields like radiology and surgery. However, the problem in that is, sometimes they forget to care about their patients and see them as more than just numbers and diagnoses on a chart. I loved Bobby as a character, he was probably my favorite. He was spunky, but scared as any of us are of dying, no matter what we say otherwise. I think this book talked about a lot of important issues in the health care community and hospitals, especially the heartbreaking situations you have to live with as a doctor. Seeing someone dye before your eyes is never taken lightly. Overall, I did like and appreciate this book. I probably wouldn’t recommend it to someone not interested in medicine because the medical jargon is pretty heavy.
Writing: 6/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Ending: 7/10
Originality: 8/10
Overall: 35/50
Cover: 5/10

[Kareena | kareenbeanreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a captivating and heartbreaking novel following Maggie, a medical intern, through her pediatric rotation. She befriends a terminally ill child, Bobby; this novel follows their friendship, the ways they learn and grow from each other, and makes a commentary on medical ethics.

I personally have never been through medical school or been an intern or resident at a hospital, but I did work for 2+ years in the emergency department of a children’s hospital and this novel took me back to my time working in the ED.

While this novel did give me a bit of a Grey’s Anatomy [or insert any of the plethora of medical TV dramas out there] vibe, I found this story to have much more substance by adding commentary on ethics and bureaucracy within healthcare. The fact that the author of this novel is a MD helped make this novel much more realistic; I found the depictions of hospitals and cases to be very interesting and much more accurate than those I have read in the past. Throughout the novel, you get to see many other cases and patients that Maggie worked with, which I enjoyed being able to following along with.

I haven’t seen many reviews of buzz about this book, and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy to read medical fiction and/or enjoy Grey’s Anatomy or other TV medical dramas!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and TouchPoint Press for the gifted e-book.

[ines M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an avid reader of medical novels. And this one is one of the best I've ever read. The main characters are very well developed, and the pace of the book is good. There's a lot of medical terminology and the procedure's descriptions are accurate and easy to imagine.
Maggie is an intern at a hospital near El Barrio, one of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in New York. Her father is a well known professional and wants her following his steps.
Bobby is a very sick boy who is spending his life at Maggie's hospital. They forge a very intense friendship, and at some point it will affect both of their existences.
The tough thing about medical novels is to give the same intensity to the medical part as to the plot and to the characters inner thoughts. In this case, the author arrived to a nice balance between both subjects.
I really liked this book and I hope to read more from this author.