Bright Young Women

Author: Jessica Knoll
Genre: Crime Fiction
384 pages
Publisher: S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books, 2023

Synopsis
An extraordinary novel inspired by the real-life sorority targeted by America’s first celebrity serial killer in his final murderous spree.

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.

Bright Young Women is the story about two women from opposite sides of the country who become sisters in their fervent pursuit of the truth. It proposes a new narrative inspired by evidence that’s been glossed over for decades in favor of more salable headlines—that the so-called brilliant and charismatic serial killer from Seattle was far more average than the countless books, movies, and primetime specials have led us to believe, and that it was the women whose lives he cut short who were the exceptional ones.

My review
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll is a gripping and immersive crime fiction novel that effectively strips away the glamor often associated with one of America’s most notorious serial killers. It also serves as an empowering manifesto, following a courageous, intelligent, and resilient group of women determined to confront their deepest fears and bring the killer to justice. This thrilling story dives into harsh truths, challenging societal norms and highlighting the historical mistreatment of women. It tackles critical issues like slut-shaming, homophobia, and various forms of abuse, igniting meaningful conversations and inspiring readers to take a stand against injustice.

This isn’t a twisty psychological thriller but rather a character-driven story centered on the young women determined to uncover the truth. What I admire most about the book is how Knoll skillfully dismantles the glamorization of one of America’s most infamous serial killers. By relying on facts and historical context, she debunks the myth of the killer as a brilliant, charming figure—a portrayal perpetuated by the media and law enforcement for decades. Instead, she shifts the focus onto the brave, intelligent, and resilient women affected by these horrific crimes, making them the true stars of the story, rather than the mediocre, unremarkable, academically challenged individual behind the killings. While sensationalism may sell, it’s time we stop glorifying murderers and shine the spotlight on the victims, who were beautiful, smart, and deserving of recognition. Understanding the psychology of killers is crucial to preventing future tragedies, but we must do so without glamorizing them.

Bright Young Women is an exceptional work of fiction that completely drew me into its story. It challenges societal norms, tackles significant issues, and took me on a thrilling journey alongside its brave and resilient characters. This must-read novel made me question the status quo, cheer for justice, and celebrate the strength of women who refuse to be silenced. By recounting the events from the perspective of the women whose lives were irrevocably changed, Bright Young Women reclaims a narrative that has long been sensationalized.

My recommendation: read it!