Bright Young Women
A Novel
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4.3 • 873 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Don’t miss this “breakneck thriller” that examines “our culture’s obsession with serial killers and true crime” (Harper’s Bazaar) as it follows two women on the pursuit of justice against all odds. “A fascinating look at true crime and tabloid culture that’s as thoughtful as it is gripping” (People).
A New York Times Notable Book of 2023
New York Times Editors’ Choice
Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist
Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Kirkus Reviews, CrimeReads, Booklist, and more!
An Edgar Award Finalist for Best Novel
Masterfully blending elements of psychological suspense and true crime, Jessica Knoll—bestselling author of Luckiest Girl Alive and the writer behind the Netflix adaptation starring Mila Kunis—delivers an “unflinching and evocative” (Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author) thriller in Bright Young Women.
The book opens on a Saturday night in 1978, hours before a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house with deadly results. The lives of those who survive, including a sorority president and key witness, Pamela Schumacher, are forever changed. Across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced her missing friend was targeted by the man the papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer—and that he’s struck again. Determined to find justice, the two join forces as their search for answers leads to a final, shocking confrontation.
With award-winning storytelling, “Bright Young Women doesn’t put its focus on the murderer. It’s more interested in his victims—and the survivors who are on a mission to catch him before he kills again” (Time). Blisteringly paced, it is a “compelling, almost hypnotic read and I loved it with a passion” (Lisa Jewell, New York Times bestselling author).
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Inspired by a true story, this emotional thriller examines how women are always expected to be perfect, even in the wake of a horrific tragedy. At Florida State University in 1978, sorority president Pamela Schumacher is wracked with survivor’s guilt after an intruder forces his way into the Omega Chi sorority house and brutally attacks several of her closest friends, killing two of them. Soon afterward, Pamela meets Tina, a Seattle woman who’s searching for answers following the disappearance of her partner Ruth four years before. Author Jessica Knoll, whose first book, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a huge bestseller, drew inspiration from infamous serial killer Ted Bundy’s cross-country rampage in the 1970s—but she places her focus entirely on the friends and loved ones of his victims, imagining their struggles to rebuild their lives in the wake of unimaginable trauma and misogynistic ideas. Bright Young Women is a gripping read and an exceptional story about women’s friendships, strength, and fury.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this stunning serial killer thriller, bestseller Knoll (Luckiest Girl Alive) uses echoes of Ted Bundy's real-life crimes to underline potent themes of misogyny and survivor's guilt. In January 1978, Florida State University student Pamela Schumacher becomes the sole witness when a killer invades her sorority house, murdering two of her friends and disfiguring two others. The killings bring Pamela into contact with Tina Cannon, who's convinced the same man murdered her friend Ruth Wachowsky four years earlier in Seattle. Together, Pamela and Tina spend decades digging up evidence that might link the crimes and find justice for their slain friends. Knoll seamlessly moves from the night of the murders and their immediate aftermath to 2021, when the man eventually dubbed the All-American Sex Killer faces his final trial. Without delving into prurient clichés, she excavates the emotional toll the murders take on Pamela and Tina, credibly tracing the ways such traumas can shape entire lives. By focusing on the women affected by her Ted Bundy stand-in instead of the nuances of his criminal psychology, Knoll movingly reframes an American obsession without stripping it of its intrigue. The results are masterful.
Customer Reviews
Amazing book
I stepped away from most true crime years ago due to the sensationalism inherent in the genre. This is obviously a work of fiction but it beautifully captures the societal dynamics that allowed a very unremarkable man to get away with so much evil for so long. The fictional victims and survivors highlighted some of the true challenges that the real impressive young women involved overcame with little to no support.
Unexpected
I have watched documentaries about The Defendant yet reading the other side, even though it’s fiction, was by far more interesting. Fantastic portrayal, written with just enough description to the murders as not to go overboard. The viewpoint about how women were treated (aren’t we always ‘hysterical’) to our inherent nature to always help even when our instincts are warning us not to. We worry so much about how we are perceived in the eyes of men, so as not to seem like a crazy person (their opinion), that we may not speak up for ourselves or others. Enjoyed reading this book.
Absolutely fantastic
One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I was engrossed from start to finish. Can’t recommend enough. Excellent writing, fabulous characters. A must read.