For a book with a boring, uninspired title, The Associate is a very fun, quick, and suspenseful read! It’s the 2nd book in the Amanda Jaffe series by Phillip Margolin.
Daniel Ames is a prominent hard-working lawyer. He decides to take on a large case involving a pharmaceutical company and a drug that causes severe birth defects in babies.
As Daniel digs deeper into the case, he uncovers some sinister stuff going on and before you know it, he’s being accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Now, Daniel must convince his colleagues and law enforcement that he’s innocent. At the same time, he’s being forced to risk his life, solve the case, and clear his name.
I picked up this book because I loved Sleeping Beauty by Margolin, which is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. The Associate is lacking in substance and detail compared with Sleeping Beauty, but it’s still good, and very suspenseful. It’ll definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
My main gripe with The Associate is a pretty big one—I don’t like Daniel’s character. The book describes Daniel having a rough upbringing and tough-guy personality with a military background to boot. But all throughout this book, Daniel snivels, grovels, and freaks out like a little girl to the point it’s rather comical. If you think I’m being heartless, I’m not. You’d have to read the book to truly understand.
I’ve also reviewed these Phillip Margolin books for this website:
Phillip Margolin has also written these titles:
- Woman with a Gun (2014)
- An Insignificant Case (2024)
- False Witness (2025)
What did you think about The Associate? Is the rest of the Amanda Jaffe series worth reading?
Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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