Was drawn to this story as I went to FSU and learned a lot about the terrible murders that happened in the Chi Omega house. I found it a bit difficult keeping track of the various storylines, but appreciated the ambitious project the author took on here. Was interesting to have varying perspectives victims from a horrific man.

Bright Young Women is a story we've all heard before, but from a wholly unique viewpoint, that of the victim and not the perpetrator. Knoll makes it pretty clear what she thinks of almost making a celebrity out of killers whilst allowing the victims name to solely be remembered by those who loved them, and she decided it was time to change that narrative. To not only allow the victim to speak, to allow us to know them intimately, but also see how those who survived, those who had to fight tooth and nail, were treated by the police, their friends and family. It's a story that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Beautiful in the bonds that were formed, the people who came together determined that this despicable man would not go unpunished. Heartbreaking in the way they were treated, how hard they had to fight to convict an evil man, simply because they were women in a world that would more readily apologise to a man convicted of murder than to his victims , and also heartbreaking in they way so little about how these women were treated has changed 50 years on.

The story is told from two POV's over multiple different time lines. The main POV we get is Pamela, a survivor from an attack on her sorority house at a Florida University which saw two girls dead and two seriously injured. Pam was the only one to actually see the killers face, and yet one offhand comment is all it takes for the police to focus on someone Pam is sure didn't commit the crime. She is someone who has been taught to be perfect, to not break down, and I think this was something fitting to the time and how women were told that their emotions should be kept to themselves, so at first she can come across as a little cold, a little detached from what has happened. But what she shows externally and how she feels inside are two completely different things. Inside Pam is incensed, distraught and panicked. Incensed at how the police are treating her, unwilling to believe her even thought she was the only eye witness. Distraught because one of the victims was her best friend, and panicked because what was to stop this from happening again.

The other POV we get is Ruth, one of the killers previous victims. Her POV get's added once we learn that the sorority weren't his first victim, the Killer was a wanted man, one who had been allowed to escape prison on two separate occasions. And it's thanks to Tina that we learn all this. Tina may not have her own POV, but she is the glue that holds this story, and all of the victims together. Tina and Ruth were a couple, something that was frowned upon back then, and despite Ruth's mother believing she simply ran way, Tina knows different, and she and Pam quickly join forces trying to get the police to see the connection between the two crimes. Ruth's POV was almost harder to read than Pam's, not only because of the trauma she faced as a child, but because we know her outcome, we know her ending and it was heartbreaking finally seeing her feel happy, finally accepting herself and her love for Tina, to have it all taken away.

Knoll deals with some pretty hard hitting and heavy topics in this book and it really gets pushed at you from the first chapter. We see, not necessarily in graphic detail but enough to get the jist, what happened to Pam's friends in the sorority, specifically Denise who, being Pam's best friend became the focus. But that's not where the trauma and horror's end. Knoll delves into sexual assault, child abuse and rape of a child, and all the while these women stayed quiet because speaking out was not the done thing. What would their families think if this got out, the one's that weren't complicit in the first place that is. There's this underlying theme of silence, and how women were taught that this was their role, but Knoll also shows what can happen when women talk to one another, open up about these things. She shows how powerful women can be when we stick together, fight for each other, and it really was beautiful seeing the relationships forged out of so much tragedy.

I especially loved how Knoll showed grief throughout the story. Not just the different stages, but the various ways people can grieve. It's something Dini and I mentioned early on in our buddy read, how Pamela seemed more worried at how the police might think they were slobs when they came to the house, how she didn't want to impose on anyone when they had nowhere to live, how distanced she seemed telling the families on the phone their daughters wouldn't be coming home. But this, this was one of my favourite parts of the story because for me, there is no correct way to grieve. Everyone does it in their one way, and at their own pace, and Knoll does a brilliant job at highlighting those differences, but also showing how just because someone might be putting on a good front, doesn't mean they're not falling apart inside.

I'm so, unbelievably, angry. I'm writing this review around 50 years after the events took place and yet nothing has changed. In fact, if anything, the rights that women worked so hard to claim are now slowly but surely being stripped from us. It's almost like a lesson reading this, seeing how things once were, begging us to stand up for ourselves, each other, our rights, so that we don't end back there. But even today we see women being blamed for their own deaths because, 'what were they doing out at that time.' 'What did they expect going out dressed like that.' The blame still lies on us, on the victim in so many cases, and this book just really reignited my anger at it all, seeing how in literally half a century so little has changed. It's not an easy book to read in any way. The topics it deals with are heavy, the characters aren't necessarily likable, but it is an important one, and it's a story I'm very glad I read.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The constant switches between past and present helped to keep the suspense going. This does not read like a typical crime novel or thriller, primarily due to the fantastic characterisation of the protagonists.

I really like the premise of this and loved how it changed between the time lines. I have been enjoying legal thrillers recently and this had aspects of that too towards the end of the book.
There were occasions where the book slowed a bit but that soon passed and it kept my interest throughout. You could be forgiven for thinking that was non-fiction and I liked that as it meant the author had written it in such a believable way!

**Thank you so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to allow me to read this book in exchange for an honest review**

In unison we all say "Thank you, Jessica!"

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. Startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, Pamela 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.

We love a murder mystery/thriller based on true events.. Based on the real killings of two sorority member at the hands of Ted Bundy, Knoll weaves the story of Pamela who wakes to find two of her sorority sisters maimed and killed. Although its not marketed as a "based on a true story", Knoll uses the subject to inject authenticity into all her characters so it doesn't feel like your "same old, same old" thriller.

I loved the play on the title of Bundy being called a "bright young man". Knoll continues to inject feminine rage and I am here for it. This book will not leave you unsatisfied but it WILL leave you angry, and personally, if a book leaves you with such a strong emotion, then its deserves a read.

Oh this was a good one. I loved the way the author never named the killer and took so much effort to fully complete the lives of the victims or potential victims.

I loved how the main narrator grew over time. At first her past self almost annoyed me but the reality is we are often results of our eras and had I been a young female college student then my outlook may not have been that different.

I was probably one of the few people who didn't know many details about the real life serial killer that it's based on - true crime is not really my thing and so I found a lot of the information given about various things such as his escapes from custody both interesting and maddening - the cops really didn't make the case for themselves as protecting anyone from perpetrators and not to get too political but I don't think they do this even now - more often than not the police are a danger in and of themselves.

I thought this a powerful and evocative novel and I'm glad it's out in the world. I did find myself less gripped by the second narrator and details but it was important for the structure of the novel and the emotional motivation for characters that we had this element.

My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own and not influenced by having received a free copy.

I was really excited about this one but it was kinda boring. I think since I know a lot about the Ted Bundy cases and trial, it was all very predictable.

A gripping and intense read that offers a fresh take on the true crime genre. The story revolves around two women whose lives are upended by a brutal serial killer, inspired by real-life events. Knoll dives deep into the psyche of her characters, making them feel incredibly real and relatable.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

I actually received this as an arc quite a while ago but life took over and I have only just got around to reading it! (Sorry Netgalley!)

I love true crime and watching and reading about serial killers but I dislike intensely the way they become famous and yet nobody knows the victims names or their stories. The way some serial killers are held up as clever and cunning and charming is truly disgusting when you think about it, but sadly human nature and our thirst for true crime makes this so.

This is why I loved this book so much, this writer wants to shout from the rooftops that this serial killer wasn’t what he was made out to be. He was an average looking loner, of average intelligence that the press and judicial system at the time were somehow captivated by. Though it’s a work of fiction it’s clearly based on Ted Bundy and his crimes (though the author never mentions him by name) and two murders in particular. It’s upsetting and harrowing throughout, but focuses on the women. How brilliant they were, how much promise they had before their lives were so randomly snuffed out. It describes him as he really was and not some idol as some would have us believe.

The story is interesting and kept me wanting more throughout; its multiple timelines and multiple POVs and the characters are well developed. The injustice these women received was phenomenal and heartbreaking and how victims were treated back then is disturbing to say the least!

I highly recommend this book and gave it a solid 4.5 Stars.

I had a really hard time getting into this book, the pace of the book was just too slow for my liking. Adding that to the fact that true crime isn't my favorite genre, and I just could not vibe with this book. It wasn't an objectively bad book, it just was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me an advanced copy

Using the murders of Ted Bundy as the backdrop for the story, Jessica Knoll explores how such events impact on the people around the victims. An original take on a must told story, enjoyable.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll is a story about the murder of women. This probably doesn't sound like something new or exciting but wow does Jessica Knoll know how to tell a story!

In Bright Young Women, Knoll uses the Ted Bundy murders to show the misogyny that women were faced with during this time period and how just for being a woman you were not taken very seriously. She exposes how police attitudes were often tainted by their inability to solve the crime and how historically attitudes to the LGBT+ community were inappropriate.

Jessica Knoll has created an atmosphere whereby you feel the fear of the characters but more than that you feel the injustice that young women were singled out as targets for attacks. That women have always been the target and that even in this modern world that still seems to be the case.

Bright Young Women is a great novel. It has drama, misogyny, justice and so much more. It is definitely worth a read.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll is available now.

For more information regarding Pan Macmillan (@panmacmillan) please visit their Twitter page.

What an unusual read that deserves all the hype! This book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go until those final pages. It felt so real, which I guess it kinda is - being inspired by true events. You will get sucked into a Google rabbit hole whilst reading so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to read. Five stars from me!

This is the first novel I’ve read by the author and the excellent reviews on social media and the stunning cover drew me to it.
Unfortunately I found this a difficult novel to read, not due to the subject matter but the style of the writing and the confusing narrative. It didn’t flow well for me and I found the writing disconnected.
Please do read other reviews as many reviewers have loved this novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I couldn't get into this one, having previously enjoyed Jessica's books, I was disappointed I couldn't keep going. What I did read, was as always, well written and interesting but not enough to leep me reading. More of a reflection on me than the book though

This book is based on the story of the Ted Bundy killings. If you are anything like me you’ll read any serial killer book that you come across, but this was a bit different. It balanced on the fine line between fact and fiction. At the beginning, it focused on the sorority house killings but then took a turn into family relationships and took a more personal direction.

I will warn that there are a lot of dual timelines and jumping between characters, so this is definitely a book you need to dictate some time to, and you can’t be distracted at all or you may lose what happens.

Overall, it was a very gruesome, very graphic fictional retelling, which lured me in from the very first page, and kept me hooked throughout.

✩✩✩✩

There was a real promising start to this, I found it really interesting and even more so when I realised it was loosely based on true events from Ted Bundy’s crimes.
I did find tho that as the book went on I began to lose interest in it, it started to feel more procedural rather than thrilling.

Wow this book was a tough read for numerous reasons, very graphic at times especially the start which kicked off with the grisly and dire situation. The attitudes towards women in the 70's and how it could not be too sexual or easy otherwise other people would judge you. The way some people especially Ruth's mum treated her was appalling even in death. Then to top it all off, this is a fiction story of true life murders of the rather small and dim defendant who we shalt name as it is not worth any of my energy to type about him. Not all the characters in the book are real however I did like how the author interweaved some of the real life victims into this dark and compelling story.

I did end up in a internet rabbit hole looking up what was real and fiction and it made me want to look up the victim's more. To be fair in recent years I have started to not read about the bad people as the media does like to focus on the bomber, murderer instead of the victims so maybe the tide is slowly changing?

Thank you to NetGalley for the book.

Jessica Knoll skillfully confronts the historical underestimation of predatory individuals with her novel "Bright Young Women." Drawing inspiration from the disconcerting praise of Ted Bundy as a "bright young man," Knoll crafts a searing fictional narrative that starkly contrasts the attitudes of that era. The women in this novel—victims, survivors, and justice seekers—are portrayed with a realistic and emotional depth that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's consciousness.

Knoll weaves a compelling story that is not only difficult to put down but also heart-stopping in its intensity. The writing is razor-sharp, cutting through the complexities with an edge of authenticity that demands attention. Even for those unaware of the inspiration behind the narrative, the impact is palpable, making "Bright Young Women" a riveting and thought-provoking read that challenges attitudes and resonates on a profound level.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

it will certainly work for true crime fans but i found the narrative gimmicky and not all that gripping. still it was quite popular among other gr members so i am very much an outlier here.