Member Reviews
I was really looking forward to this, and thought the concept was interesting. Sadly I didn’t gel with it and just couldn’t get along with the present day Pamela. Maybe I’ll try again, but for now it’s sadly a DNF
A phenomenal thriller that ticked all the boxes. A compelling, heartstopping story that is made even more compelling by the fact that elements of the story are factual. Highly recommended!
FROM THE COVER📖
January 1978. Tallahassee. When sorority president Pamela Schumacher is startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, she’s shocked to encounter a scene of implausible violence—two of her friends dead and two others, maimed. Thrust into a terrifying mystery, Pamela becomes entangled in a crime that captivates 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. When Ruth, her best friend, 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 Tina hears about the tragedy in Tallahassee, she suspects the same man the papers refer to is responsible. 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.
REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First up THIS BOOK IS OUTSTANDING!!!!
Inspired by the real-life sorority targeted by America's first celebrity serial killer in his final murderous spree.
We are told the story of Pamela in the third person POV over dudes timelines the 1970’s and the present day and from Ruth in the first person POV in the 1970’s. Pamela is a witness to the killing of her friends and Ruth is a victim. Both characters are written with care and both are engaging. The both develop and change as the novel goes on, bringing a sense of in-depth examination of the impact of a killer's actions on the lives of his victims, the survivors, and their loved ones. The portrayal of both characters left me feeling with an overwhelming sense of the lost potential in these bright young women I feel Jessica Knoll, really gives voice to these forgotten victims, highlighting their unrealised potential ,the tragedy of their lives cut short and the last impacting they had on the world. I felt a real connection and sense of solidarity with the women in the book. I loved the side character of Tina that connects both Pamela and Ruth, she was beautifully flawed, strong, smart and a ahead of her time, her quick smart observations and actions elevated her for a mere side character, I would have in fact liked to have heard from POV in the first person.
This is a very, very well researched story, which is heavy on the procedural content, which I love p, but also on the human faces behind such monstrous events . It is not so much a "serial killer story", which of there is too much voice given with all the proliferation of documentaries, movies, and books dedicated to these infamous figures, but the story of the all too forgotten victims , the victims—predominantly women—are cast aside and forgotten by history. It is as if these women, who suffered brutal rape and mutilation, were destined to become mere collateral damage in the immortalisation of their killers. This book sheds light on the disparity between how society remembers and sometimes even idolises serial killers, while the existence of their victims—bright young women with futures ahead of them—remains unacknowledged and unspoken. I appreciated the focus on the victims and the fact that the killer’s name was literally mentioned ONCE. I won’t mention his name her but it is easy to work out who it is based on from the start. What the book delivers is a slowly-unfolding narrative that leaves you shaken by the depth of a misogyny that not only leads to such sickening violence against female victims, but also does enormous damage through the disrespect and complacency that such attitudes legitimise. I found the way the real life case was handled that is mirrored in the novel truly sickening, from the police officers to the highest of judges it was like boys club that allowed their fellow “boys” to be excused because surely these women deserved it on some level, Knoll captures this perfectly.
The plot based on real life events is intertwined to deliver a personal story of hope, love and friendship. There is even a slight mystery element to the novel. I found the book flowed really well and the writing was observant, absorbing and if am honest at times a little disturbing. The ending was perfect not something I often say.
This book is the only real life serial killer book anyone should be reading, it is time to move the narrative away from these monsters and move to the bright young women wiped out by mere mediocre men, this book highlights that beyond the “good looks” and so called “smart cunning fox” the media portray this “defendant” was just stupid mixed up evil callous man who really does not deserve the media attention he still today receives. Knoll is this first of my knowledge to write books like this I really hope she won’t be the last.
While this book is very different from the “Luckiest Girl Alive” there the same sorts of themes presented in a different way, this darker and deeper for me this made it all the better but be warned there is a lot upsetting parts that may cause distress.
This is utterly compelling marvel of a book. I urge you to read it.
I’ve been waiting for this book for so long and wasn’t disappointed at all. A serial killer? A sorority dorm? This book us based on some fact so it’s hard to feel too upbeat about the subject. However, it is a fabulously written story and focuses on the women who are far stronger and determined than the murderer.
An amazing, inspiring novel about the resilience and strength of women in the face of trauma and adversity. Told from 2 different perspectives, Pamela Schumacher who is president of her sorority and a hard working legal student who is the eye witness in a case where 2 of her sorority sisters and housemates are murdered in their beds and 2 are grievously harmed. Telling the story of her in the current day and then going back and forth to 1978 when the crime happened. The second POV is Ruth, one of the killers victims from a few years earlier, who is 25 years old, divorced, living with her unloving mother and is quite lost. She then meets Tina and her life is transformed. Tina is the continuous thread running through the book as she also becomes part of Pamela's story as well. It was so well written and full of twists and turns!
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC! I had read one other title by this author (Luckiest Girl Alive) and while that was exciting and enjoyable, Bright Young Women was an intense nail biter even though the true crime aspect was familiar. I also appreciated the focus on the victims and the fact that the killer’s name was literally mentioned ONCE. I definitely recommend this!
Thank you Netgalley for sharing the arc of this book. Needless to say, I loved it.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll delves into the chilling tale of young women targeted by a serial killer. Through the perspectives of two women, the novel exposes the pervasive sexism embedded in society. Many of us find ourselves captivated by the enigma of serial killers, whether it be their psychopathic minds, their distinctive methods of murder, or even their outward appearance. Standing as outsiders, we are driven to dissect these killers' unconventional personas, longing to understand their inner workings.
Yet, amidst the proliferation of documentaries, movies, and books dedicated to these infamous figures, the victims—predominantly women—are cast aside and forgotten by history. It is as if these women, who suffered brutal rape and mutilation, were destined to become mere collateral damage in the immortalisation of their killers. This book sheds light on the disparity between how society remembers and sometimes even idolises serial killers, while the existence of their victims—bright young women with futures ahead of them—remains unacknowledged and unspoken.
The author, Jessica Knoll, gives voice to these forgotten victims, highlighting their unrealised potential and the tragedy of their lives cut short.
The after effects of a serial killer, told by the people who were hurt the most.
I loved this book for many reasons, the plot and the characters are an obvious one but the narration by women was truly beautiful. So many books are narrated by the violent perpetrator and this was moving in its choice.
I urge everyone to read it. Especially if you normally read fiction told by the perpetrator as that can feel celebratory at times.
Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters were so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read an arc of this book.
I was intrigued by the synopsis for this book, and liked the concept of a thriller book about a serial killer being told from the perspective of the victims and witness as opposed to the killer. It’s not something I’ve seen done before in a book, and I like that it takes away power from the killer, and that he was rarely named within the book.
I found that it started off really strong, it gave you a good sense of who Pamela was, how she thought and behaved, and I thought I would see a lot more character development, but unfortunately she pretty much stayed the same throughout and I found her POV annoying to follow at times.
Ruth’s POV was more interesting, and was the only character that evolved in the book as she became more self aware and set boundaries.
Tina was another interesting character, I liked her attitude towards life and how she doesn’t follow social norms just to placate people like Pam does.
I found the book to be very slow going past the 40% mark as it became more procedural, and by 80% I just wanted it to be over. I knew going into the book that it was based on Ted Bundy, so the ending wasn’t exactly a surprise, and because of how slow paced it was I lost all interest.
It touched on a few interesting plot threads, especially between Pam and her Mother, but they didn’t really go anywhere or do anything to serve the overall plot of the book. It just felt a little disjointed at times.
Overall, I think it had lots of potential it just fell a bit flat for me.
I’d been checking for ages when Jessica Knoll’s next book would be out and got very excited when I saw this available on Netgalley. But. I did not gel with it in the least, and I’m really sad that this was the case. It’s not a totally original story from Knoll (based on Ted Bundy), which is something I didn’t properly click until I’d finished and read other reviews. Maybe I’ll give it another shot some day, but for now… naahhhh.
I was totally unable to put this book down. I think it raises some important questions about true crime coverage and consumption and handles it it in a sensitive way - it is gripping because of the women it centers, not the crimes themselves. The relationship between Pamela and Tina was particularly moving.
I love The Luckiest Girl Alice, consider it one of my favourite books ever and so I jumped at the chance to get an Arc of this from Netgalley!
This story follows multiple characters in multiple timelines, which can be a bit confusing, but all with one thing tying them together: The Defendant.
I enjoyed this book a lot, not a few favourite but an amazing cover that would be stunning on my shelves!
This was a good read, Having been q fan of 'luckiest girl alive' this felt very different to me.
Told from two different perspectives, over a span of 10 decades, the story follows the aftermath of serial killer attacks. One from the nest friend of a victim, the main protagonist in the story, and the other, a victim herself.
A story of hope, love, friendship and self acceptance, that also touches on the ways in which women are undermined and attacked I'm various ways.
Will make too think.
I absolutely LOVED this book. What a joy to discover an author I hadn't read before. The story follows the harrowing fallout on the lives of two people whose loved ones have been killed by a serial killer. As well as being a rip-roaring cry for women, this book is a sensitive and intelligent portrayal of the way women are treated by society and the easy acceptance of day to day sexism in all its forms.
Throughout the novel, the serial killer is only ever referred to as 'The Defendent' so when he's finally named it was - for me - a shock moment (although I suspect this won't be the case for many readers who are better versed in true crime than I am).
I devoured this book over two hot summer afternoons and will be recommending it to everyone when it's out in September. Thank you to the publisher and Jessica Knoll for the opportunity to read and review this marvellous novel.
An interesting take, loosely based on Ted Bundy, or rather his victims, and those around them.
It does a good job of showing how badly women were treated in the past, and how duty of care was not a thing.
Also, it showed the strength of the women.
A good weaving together of three timelines, and a great central character in Pamela.
This book takes the well-known case of a notorious serial killer, and turns the commonly held perspective of him upside down. That is, perhaps, one of the greatest strengths of Bright Young Women.
Pamela is the president of a sorority at Florida State University, and a bright young woman who takes her responsibilities seriously. It is that which leads her to turn down an opportunity to go partying with her sorority sisters one night - a decision that most likely saves her life.
She becomes the sole witness to the identity of a man who goes on a killing spree that night, murdering 2 of Pamela's sisters in the sorority house - including her best friend, Denise - and maiming two others. But in the most unlikely coincidence, it is Pamela who spots him leaving the house, and realises that this the attacker is unknown to most of the victims.
Unfortunately, the massacre takes place in 1978, when neither the police nor the general public are given to taking women very seriously- especially not younger women. So Pamela's insistence that the killer is not, as she momentarily thought, Denise's ex-boyfriend, is not initially given much weight by the police, who find him a more likely suspect.
As a result, considerable time is wasted on taking the investigation in the wrong direction, and the ineptitude of the authorities is evident not only in the police failure to follow up obvious leads, but also in the subsequent portrayal in the media and popular culture that lionises this particular serial killer as some kind of irresistibly charming, brilliant psychopath.
As Pamela gradually and painfully shifts from her learned view of the powers that be as competent and caring, the reader empathises with her growing anger and disappointment, even as it sinks in just how paternalistic and misogynistic an era the seventies actually was.
Meanwhile, there is a parallel story underway here about Tina and her lost friend, Ruth, whom Tina is convinced has been killed by the same man who attacked the sorority house. Ruth's disappearance takes place against the backdrop of a serial killer who has been targeting women across the
Pacific Northwest. So, determined to win justice for Ruth, Tina approaches Pamela to try and establish the accuracy of her hunch that it is the same man who's involved in both instances, since Pamela is the only person who actually saw the attacker's face.
This is a very, very well researched story, which is heavy on the procedural content. It is not so much a "serial killer story", as it is an in-depth examination of the impact of a killer's actions on the lives of his victims, the survivors, and their loved ones.
What the book delivers is a slowly-unfolding narrative that leaves you shaken by the depth of a misogyny that not only leads to such sickening violence against female victims, but also does enormous damage through the disrespect and complacency that such attitudes legitimise. A thought-provoking and disturbing read, but a worthwhile one.
I did not realise this was based off of Ted Bundy’s crimes until two thirds the way through reading this book. Once I found that out it was much easier to follow the story and the different timelines.