Inspired by Ted Bundy and his victims, Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll is a book you will want to read. Clear your schedule and set aside about five hours for this novel which is dark and gritty and compelling. Some parts gave me chills, the whole thing was captivating.

It takes talent to recreate the horror and fear that settled across the country during the 1970s, the height of serial killers.

January 1978. A serial killer has terrorized women across the Pacific Northwest, but his existence couldn’t be further from the minds of the vibrant young women at the top sorority on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee. Tonight is a night of promise, excitement, and desire, but Pamela Schumacher, president of the sorority, makes the unpopular decision to stay home—a decision that unwittingly saves her life. Startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, she makes the fateful decision to investigate. What she finds behind the door is a scene of implausible violence—two of her sisters dead; two others, maimed. Over the next few days, Pamela is thrust into a terrifying mystery inspired by the crime that’s captivated public interest for more than four decades.

On the other side of the country, Tina Cannon has found peace in Seattle after years of hardship. A chance encounter brings twenty-five-year-old Ruth Wachowsky into her life, a young woman with painful secrets of her own, and the two form an instant connection. When Ruth goes missing from Lake Sammamish State Park in broad daylight, surrounded by thousands of beachgoers on a beautiful summer day, Tina devotes herself to finding out what happened to her. When she hears about the tragedy in Tallahassee, she knows it’s the man the papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer. Determined to make him answer for what he did to Ruth, she travels to Florida on a collision course with Pamela—and one last impending tragedy.

Out in September

"Bright Young Women" is a captivating and empowering manifesto that unites a group of brave, intelligent, and resilient women on a mission to confront their biggest fears and bring a serial killer to justice. This thrilling novel delves deep into the truth, challenging societal norms, and shedding light on the mistreatment of women throughout history. It addresses issues such as slut-shaming, homophobia, and various forms of abuse, sparking important conversations and empowering readers to stand up against injustice.

The story primarily follows two compelling narratives. The first centers around Pamela, a driven and ambitious student at Florida State University. As the hardworking president of her sorority, Pamela finds herself gradually growing apart from her best friend Denise, who encourages her to break free from her studious routine and embrace the joys of life. Their contrasting perspectives add depth and complexity to the story, highlighting the struggle between personal ambitions and the desire for a carefree existence.

The second narrative revolves around Ruth Wachowsky, a resilient 25-year-old woman who returns to live with her strict mother after a difficult divorce. Ruth carries the weight of a troubled past, having been forced out of school due to her queer identity. She joins a grief counseling group to cope with the sudden loss of her father, who concealed his own sexuality and passed on a legacy of pain and denial to his daughter. It is within this group that Ruth encounters Tina Cannon, a woman who has recently lost her elderly and affluent husband. Through their deepening connection, Ruth begins to confront her suppressed feelings, gradually breaking free from the chains of societal expectations.

The paths of these two resilient women intersect when they come face-to-face with a serial killer dubbed "The Defendant," who bears an eerie resemblance to the infamous Ted Bundy. The Defendant's interview records, victim age range, and attempts to escape from prison mirror Bundy's own actions, adding an element of chilling familiarity to the story. As Pamela unwittingly becomes the only eyewitness to a horrific crime committed by the Defendant, she is thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Meanwhile, Ruth's disappearance and the similarities between the Defendant's victims raise questions about her fate, adding another layer of suspense and mystery to the plot.

The narrative masterfully weaves between present-day Pamela, who receives a mysterious and potentially life-threatening letter that compels her to seek justice, and glimpses of Ruth's life prior to her disappearance in the 1970s. Pamela, Tina, and a young and eager reporter named Carl form an unlikely alliance, embarking on a quest to uncover the truth and ensure the Defendant faces the consequences of his heinous crimes. The courtroom drama that unfolds during the late 1970s serves as a riveting backdrop to their pursuit of justice, with high stakes and unexpected twists keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Throughout the novel, the author skillfully explores themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the unyielding spirit of women determined to rise above societal constraints. The book's pages are filled with suspense, dark secrets, and spine-tingling revelations that will keep readers hooked until the very end. It is a testament to the author's talent for crafting gripping mysteries and thought-provoking narratives.

In conclusion, "Bright Young Women" is an extraordinary work of fiction that challenges societal norms, addresses important issues, and offers a thrilling journey through the lives of its courageous and resilient characters. This must-read novel will leave you questioning the status quo, rooting for justice, and applauding the power of women who refuse to be silenced.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Simon Element/S&S/Marysue Rucci Books for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this enthralling and thought-provoking thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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In a word: wow!! “Bright Young Women” did not disappoint. There was such a wide range of emotions throughout the narrative(s) & I ended it wishing that there was more to read.

The synopsis is pretty straightforward—following Ted Bundy’s attack at a Florida State sorority house (based on the real event), Pamela—one of the sisters—sets out to try and find justice for the girls who died that night. Her narration is interspersed by that of Ruth, a woman who previously disappeared at Lake Sammamish (also based on the real event). Linking their stories together is Tina, a mysterious figure who becomes committed to catching Bundy.

While he is never named during the events of the book—“The Defendant” is used instead—Bundy’s presence casts a dark shadow across all who are affected by his crimes. However, the focus of the book is centered around the women and their choices rather than simply his. And their relationships with one another serve as another narrative thread in the book, whether romantic or platonic.

There’s a big TW for violence against women, even though most of that violence takes place off-screen. I think this might have actually been a five star book for me had the only chapter to actually depict Bundy’s crimes had been cut; with more left to the imagination, “Bright Young Women” would have moved closer to its goal of moving the story’s agency from him to the women.

If you are interested in books based on true crimes, I’d definitely recommend this upcoming novel! And, as someone who also went to FSU and lived in Tallahassee, it was strangely comforting to revisit familiar places like the Westcott Building and West Jefferson Street, even under such dark circumstances. It’s a small detail to highlight, but it helped ground me through some of the darker (and more difficult to read) chapters.

Thanks to @netgalley and @_simonelement for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review of “Bright Young Women”—look for it when it’s out on 10/3/23!

Holy.

I cannot even fathom beginning to write a review for this amazing novel. Jessica Knoll is an icon and I am a fierce follower and supporter of her. The way she told the stories of the victims in this novel--the way she never mentioned HIS name. The way we all knew who it was. She didn't shy away from that. She never gave HIM the light. It was only for Denise, Ruth, Robbie, and the countless other victims. It was for them--to share their story, their tragic end. It was not to glorify a has-been failure of a human who was not that attractive and had no intelligence. It was to highlight the lives of the BRILLIANT women.

My favorite part of the whole book:

"None of them were lost or struggling or unhappy, all the things that predators usually seek out in their victims because it makes them vulnerable, and vulnerable people are easier to subdue. I've thought about this for so long, tried to make sense of how someone who didn't stalk his victims in advance ended up going after the best and the brightest. And I think that's it, the thing they all had in common--a light that outshone his. And he couldn't stand it."

I didn't know what to expect when going into this. I didn't realize how dark, disturbing and just downright heartbreaking it was going to be. This is a fictionalized story based on real life crimes brutal enough to keep you up at night. I am usually not one that enjoys when a serial killer is sensationalized and this author made sure not to do that. She made sure to keep the victims the bigger part of the story. She takes you into the past and shows you what it was like as a woman in that time period and let me tell you, it is infuriating. I commend this author for her talented writing style as well as her sensitivity to the people affected by such depravity. This was a horrific yet beautiful book that will stay with me for a long, long time. Five Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon Element for this amazing ARC.

In January 1978, the world’s first “celebrity” serial killer terrorized the bright young women at one of the top Florida State University sororities. Pamela Schumacher, the sorority’s president, made the unpopular decision to stay home on a night when her sorority sisters wanted to let their hair down and party. When Pamela is woken by a strange noise in the middle of the night, she decides to go downstairs to investigate. Through a series of what seem like miracles, she is left unharmed despite catching a glimpse of the killer while two of her sisters were murdered and two others were severely injured. In the aftermath as those around her try to move on from these tragic events, Pamela begins to investigate the mystery of the man who committed these horrible crimes to her closest friends.

The events that took place at Florida State University lead Pamela to meet Tina Cannon who is searching for answers of her own. Tina has devoted herself to finding out what happened to someone very close to her, Ruth Wachowsky. Ruth went missing on a sunny day at Lake Sammamish and no one has seen or heard from her since. When Tina hears about the devastation that happened to the sorority members at Florida State, she knows there must be a connection between those events and what happened to Ruth. Together, Tina and Pamela begin to unravel the mysteries of the man responsible for changing the trajectory of both of their lives.

The story is told in alternate perspectives and timelines that allow you to get to know each character. I found all of their stories very compelling, and I couldn’t put this book down! While this isn’t a fast-paced thriller like Luckiest Girl Alive, I still found it to be full of tension and suspense. This was a very compelling read and, in my opinion, a very important story and perspective. Anyone who enjoys true crime is aware of the serial killer that this book is referring to and is hopefully cognizant that the way he was portrayed by the media at the time and still to this day was an entirely inaccurate version of a man who was sensationalized for heinous crimes. The special treatment that he received while in custody and while on trial was blatantly disrespectful to his victims and those who were lucky enough to survive him. I think the author handled a sensitive topic with compassion and grace directed at the true victims. I really enjoy Jessica Knoll’s writing style and I will continue to be a lifelong reader :)

Thank you to Simon Element, S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Simon Element for sending me an arc in exchange for review!


this book actually hurt me. although it is a slow burn and did take me a bit to get into, the ending definitely makes up for it. i went into this pretty blindly but if you have knowledge about certain serial killers, you'd know which killer this book is about and i wish the author would've just said his name instead of "The Defendant" until one chapter in the book where she uses his actual name. i understand wanting to protect the families but a lot of the subject matter in this was pretty spot on.

Ohhh this was so good. So, so, so good. Just a few chapters in, I knew I was hooked enough to cancel my plans for the rest of the day. When I finished a few utterly immersed hours later, I set it aside, mind churning - then woke up at 6am the next day, picked it up, and reread it from start to finish!

I was completely absorbed by Pamela, a college senior and by-the-book sorority president whose sense of safety and control is shattered when two of her sisters are murdered and two others mutilated in a brutal, seventeen-minute attack in January 1978; one of the victims, Denise, was her best friend. I felt Pamela's devastation so clearly, even when she herself hadn't acknowledged it yet. (Similarly, I was infuriated by her treatment by the police and the press before she let herself be angry.) My heart broke for her at the strangest moments - like when she finds herself alternating between picturing her murdered best friend's body, and thinking that she must let the hosts for that evening's party know that they'll be down a dish, since Denise had been asked to bring a dip. Knoll does an incredible job at articulating the disbelief of grief.

There's so much more to this book - we quickly meet Tina, a woman on a mission to catch the killer she (correctly) believes is responsible for what's happened, and hear from Ruth, one of his earlier victims and the love of Tina's life. There's a LOT going on, but Knoll deftly weaves it together. I particularly loved seeing Pamela and Ruth - in their own distinct but equally powerful ways - start to question and reject the forces around them trying to keep them submissive and small. Make no mistake, this is a book about female rage - as it absolutely should be. And the focus is on the women, not the serial killer (the never-named Ted Bundy) - again, as it absolutely should be.

My one complaint is that the story was occasionally more difficult to follow than it needed to be. For example, the opening scene is clearly intended to raise questions - who exactly is it that the narrator's never forgotten? why? - but because there were *so* many unknowns throughout this story, I don't think that particular loose end was necessary. By the time I finally learned who'd written the letter and why, I'd lost track of that plot line entirely, so it didn't have much of an effect! Similarly, Pamela referring to the man who's threatening her in the present day only as an ominously unspecified "he" and "him" initially fooled me, as I think was intended, into assuming we were talking about the killer; I don't think the eventual "wow!" of the reveal made up for the ongoing "huh?" of the ambiguity. (Sorry for being vague here; I don't want to spoil!) To sum, I think this story came by more than enough suspense naturally - it didn't have to be created and heightened even further.

That said, this book is still an obvious five stars for me. The story is propulsive, thought-provoking, and utterly immersive, and I can't wait to discuss with friends when it comes out this fall. Thanks to S&S and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

(PS: While I didn't love the adaptation of Luckiest Girl Alive - I think it would have been a much better series than movie - I have high hopes for an adaptation of Bright Young Women!)

“bright young women” follows the story of pamela, a sorority president who lost four of her sisters to a senseless killing. as she tries to find out the truth, to seal away the killer, we find out about the other victims and their loved ones. it’s fast paced, twisty, and keeps you on your toes.

and it’s about ted bundy’s victims. it took me far too long to figure out that the serial killer was ted bundy; it should have been obvious from the start. i felt a bit disappointed at the end when i realized that this wasn’t knoll’s original story. however, it somewhat is her own original story. she brings a voice to the women who were forgotten about, cast aside, ignored, and killed. by not saying his name, she removes his stardom and legacy. this is a novel about the resilience of women. it’s a great read, as well as a feminist retelling of one of america’s most prolific serial killers that is respectful to the victims.

Jessica Knoll does it again! This take on the Bundy killings from the perspective of the women left behind is both thrilling and thoughtful Will definitely be a conversation starter.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ACRC of Bright Young Women.

I didn't read the author's first book, which I know was a runaway hit, so I had high expectations when I read the premise. I became more excited when my request was approved.

First, the writing is great, and it's clear the author did her research, but what's with the long paragraphs?

Paragraph breaks is everyone's friend!

Second, silly me, I was so eager to get into the story that it took me a few extra pages than it should have before I realized it was about Ted Bundy.

Which made me think, like some reviewers have, why not write an original story with fresh characters and your personal take on a sorority serial killer?

Then, as I was reading, I began to understand why the author chose to 'rewrite' the story from the female perspective.

Our society is obsessed with serial killers and true crime, and turned them into celebrities out of these reprehensible psychopaths.

Pamela, Trina, and Ruth are Bright Young Women and the author has chosen to spotlight their characters, bringing to life real people who are confused, scared, angry, resolute, looking for hope, justice, and resolution.

They are three very different women with complex personalities, which the author crafted well, but they share common traits we all identify with; fear, determination, and strength.

I did find the shifting timelines confusing and I had to remind myself what decade Ruth and Trina was in and what year Pamela was in.

There's a lot of description, exposition, and characters, and it's an absorbing read, though not for the faint of heart.

It's not graphic or violent but those triggers are off stage, especially during Pamela's testimony and her appropriate angry response when her character and those of her sorority sisters are questioned.

I doubt any reader will be surprised by how little respect women were treated back in the 70s; things are better, but considering our political and social climate, it feels more "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Bright Young Women is a fictionalized account of the most famous true crime story of our nation told through the eyes of the women who lived it, endured it, and will never forget.

This book parallels events that happened in real life, sorority massacres, and it does reel you in at the beginning but it did not keep me engaged.
   The main two characters are a prior victim and an eyewitness. There is a continuous time travel between the two incidents and the constant change in scenes did not keep my interest.
   It's content was certainly of the true crime stories genre: how they unfold and are solved would be loved by that type of reader.

Powerful and so engaging. The characters were complex and the story was dark and almost painfully real. Fans of this author won't be disappointed.

I was really looking forward to reading this book as the author's last book, Luckiest Girl Alive, enthralled me. I was a little disappointed when I found out this book was based on Ted Bundy, as I was looking forward to another original piece of work, but Knoll found a way to make this story her own. The story follows three young woman who find themselves connected and affected by the infamous serial killer. There is resolve in the end, and I am one who appreciates ending a story with resolve, not left guessing.

I thought this was a classic Jessica Knoll novel. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, the female characters are complex and well-developed, and the writing is sharp and witty. Something about the setting (a sorority house run by an aspiring lawyer) reminded me of Legally Blonde—in the best way! The novel is both funny and suspenseful, and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it to fans of Knoll's previous work, as well as anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

The way I could not put this down! The characters, the twists, the storyline are all 10/10 but it's the lyrical writing that really makes this one sing. I cannot wait to continue to recommend this one to everyone I know. A must-read this Fall.

I wanted to like this book but it was too hard to keep track of all the time shifts and character perspectives. I kept re reading sections trying to figure out which timeline I was in.

I loved it. I loved almost every character and I was rooting for everyone. This is my favorite of hers yet.

his thriller tackles so many intense topics over a handful of decades and it is done so well. You really get to to know Pam, Tina, and Ruth. The horror of how their stories connect reads like a news story because it is, it is our reality and that is scary as hell.

Bright Young Women is the story of two women from opposite sides of the country who become sisters in their tireless pursuit of the truth of what happened to close friends. It’s a new twist on the same old retelling of the facts of the serial killer who shocked the nation—inspired by evidence that’s been silenced for decades in favor of sexier headlines—that the “charming, genius” serial killer from Seattle was actually only evil and average, and that it was the women whose lives he cut short who were the exceptional ones. The spin on this old narrative is so refreshing and valuable, we need to move toward centering the lives that were cut tragically short and preventing average dudes with God complexes from senselessly performing these acts.