“They will call you hysterical no matter how much dignity you have. So you might as well do whatever the hell you want.”

‘Bright Young Women’ tells the story of the infamous Ted Bundy murders, deemed a “bright young man” by the judge on his case, refocusing the story from his victims perspective- as should be the case. The main issue I had with this book is it felt wrong for this to be fiction, considering so many of the details much up so closely to the real events- mainly the names of the women are changed and details of their lives and conversations are imagined. All this book did was frustrate me, I found myself spending a lot of time googling wanting to know the real story. My time would have been better spent picking up a true crime novel.

The story focuses on two fictional character POV’s; Pamela - the president of the sorority where ‘The Defendant’ rapes and kills two of the sorority sisters after escaping prison. Her journey starts from the attack, through to her standing trial against him in court. I enjoyed her arc the most and her journey of empowerment. The second POV tells the story of Ruth - who was the weakest of the two voices, in my opinion - a victim of the Lake Sammamish Park abductions. I struggled to be interested in her story arc, and her difficulties with her family relationships and budding romance with Tina (who is in both POV's, adding to my confusion). Unfortunately, I only became interested in her story when she eventually encounters ‘The Defendant’. To be honest, I really struggled to tell the two POV’s apart in places, the characters were written without much depth to them. Historically, I have struggled with multiple POV’s, and that was very much the case with this book. The change in POV kept pulling me out of the story and I had to really concentrate to understand what was happening- it really ruined the flow of the story for me.

This book has an interesting premise, but unfortunately executed poorly. I enjoyed elements of the story, but I’d be quicker to recommend picking up a true crime novel if you’re specifically interested in this case. It's a shame really - as i do think this story places the spotlight in the right place - with the 'Bright Young Women' and not on 'The Defendant'. I applaud Jessica Knoll for that. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy- my first!

Bright Young Women takes one of the most infamous cases in history and completely reframes it in this poignant, devastating and raw reexamination of the treatment of the women in the case.

I absolutely adored how Knoll ensured to never use the name of the defendant within the pages of the book. It reversed the power dynamics associated with the case, where the ‘superstar’ name has been allowed to entirely remove the humanity of the victims. They have been relegated, forgotten and often cast into oblivion in favour of the flashy story of the misunderstood murderer. It is a move deeply entrenched in prejudice, misogyny, racism and homophobia. This book excavates those factors and digs into them deeply, exposing the horrific reality of which victims are ‘worthy’ of justice. Knoll has crafted a book that is devastating in so many ways, but also carries within it a core of hope and strength.

This is embodied in our protagonists: Pamela, Ruth and Tina. All have their lives deeply affected by the actions of a monstrous man, but they are not solely defined by these moments. They are fierce, intelligent and deeply loving people that deserve to be remembered for everything else they achieve & their moments of love, light and laughter. Knoll works hard to present them as three-dimensional characters whose voices leap off the page and straight into your hearts. Though you know one of their fates from the start, it does not stop you from falling deeply in love with them. They are all so authentic and brilliant, with a lot of consideration into their personal, platonic and romantic relationships. Knoll clearly demonstrates how they are the centre of their own web, with a community of people around them who love them.

Bright Young Women hits back hard at the decades of repression and silencing of the victims of one of the most infamous serial killers. They have always been the footnotes of his story - until now.

DNF at 41%

I was looking forward to this as this was a blend of fiction and true crime. But I expected this to be "based" on the crimes that Ted Bunny committed. Not the same exact ones that included the names of the victims. That didn't sit well with me.

Another issue is the pacing. What started off with a bang went out with a fizzle soon after and now we're reading about the details of the people in the lives of the victims. This just isn't for me. But you can feel differently especially if it's been a while since you read about Bundy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the e-copy.

5 stars. Devoured this book. As soon as I started reading I recognised certain aspects before realising this is based on the some of Ted Bundy's crimes.

The book begins by us meeting Pamela. An intruder breaks into her dorm house killing her best friend Denise, another girl Robbie and injuring two other girls. Tina then appears who shows her a photo of the intruder when no one else seems to believe it could be anyone else other than Roger - Denise's ex.

Will anyone believe her and that this is linked to another disappearance of a girl before from out of state? Between Pamela, Tina and Carl a journalist they travel to other Columbia and Seattle to try and piece everything together.

I really enjoyed the writing style and characters were very believable.

I will be recommending to others and keeping my eye out for other books from this author.

I was very looking forward to this one however I struggled with this book and unfortunately DNF at 40%. I was very excited to start this one after being accepted for the request and I found the blurb to be very interesting however the twisted timelines and dual POV was very hard to follow. None of the characters drew me in and I wanted to like this one so bad after finding it its based on Ted Bundy but this felt like a miss for me.

I've been a fan of Knoll's writing since her debut but Bright Young Women exceeded every possible expectation. I adored this book from start to finish for its nuanced look at our obsession with true crime to the more obvious exploration of violence against women. 10 stars from me.

Earlier this year, I read and loved Rebecca Makkai's I Have Some Questions For You, which riffs on the true-crime genre by following a woman who is re-investigating the murder of her prep school roommate, believing that the man who was convicted of the crime was not the true culprit. If you, too, liked that one, I have good news (not questions) for you, as Jessica Knoll's Bright Young Women is even better. This novel starts with a fictionalised retelling of the murders Ted Bundy committed at a sorority house at Florida State University in 1978, from the point of view of Pamela, the sorority president. These opening chapters are intensely gripping but left me feeling quite uncomfortable: is it really OK to use such a horrific real-life event in a novel, copying even the most specific details of Bundy's attacks? I would still be interested to know if Knoll had any contact with the surviving sorority members before embarking on this story, but the rest of the book somewhat allayed my fears. Knoll plays down the Bundy connection by referring to him as 'The Defendant' throughout, and her clear intention is to puncture our fascination with serial-killer myths: she emphasises that Bundy was not especially smart, charismatic or good-looking, despite press coverage at the time, and suggests that one reason he got away with what he did was that he was able to hide among the many 'ordinary' men who rape, injure or murder women.

Knoll writes a gripping thriller, but Bright Young Women stood out from the crowd for me in two further ways. First, Knoll is simply a very good writer. I was especially impressed by how she explores the workings of memory and the mind; in several pivotal scenes, she expertly interweaves our characters' inner worlds with the outer world, which means it takes a little longer to figure out what's going on, but is worth it because of the way it allows us to access the emotional experience of our narrators. This starts with the crucial opening scene when Pamela witnesses Bundy fleeing the sorority house, when her shock leads her to misinterpret or play down the things she sees. 'When she still refused to respond, I rolled her onto her back, and that's when I saw the small bloodstain on the pillow. Nosebleed. I patted her on the shoulder assuredly, telling her I used to get them when I was upset too.' But Knoll employs this tactic in increasingly sophisticated ways throughout the novel, culminating in a heartbreaking scene where we simultaneously relive the final moments of one of Bundy's victims at the same time as we witness other characters learning about it.

Second, I've rarely read feminist historical fiction that so accurately nails the experience of being a white, middle-class, well-educated woman in the 1970s. I think sometimes it's difficult for us to really appreciate how radical second-wave feminism was at the time, because it so fundamentally reshaped our way of thinking about the world that we can't now get outside it. But these characters don't have the tools we take for granted, and Knoll really lets us see that, even though they are relatively privileged women, they are still enmeshed in internalised and externalised misogyny. Again, this starts when Pamela discovers what's happened at her sorority house: the local sheriff, wanting to avoid 'hysterics', tells her that all the injured girls are fine, news that she faithfully passes onto their parents before learning two of them are dead. She remembers asking 'for Sheriff Cruso in a twee little voice, as nonthreatening as I could be... It was his job to know these things first, and yet I had found out that two of the girls hadn't made it before he did... That's how concerned I was with Sheriff Cruso's feelings, with the feelings of everyone else around me. I was thinking, I'll pull him aside. I'll tell him in private that Robbie and Denise were dead. I didn't want to embarrass him in front of his subordinates. This was how my brain was wired back then.' Again, Knoll continues to build this picture throughout the novel, using the telling detail, the snigger or the politely patronising smile, to let us really feel how difficult it was for our protagonists to get outside this thought-world, the forced conformity of The Truman Show or The Stepford Wives. A superb, riveting, moving book; one of the best of its kind I've ever read. 4.5 stars.

Bright Young Women is based on the story of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most intriguing serial killers.

Largely based on his murders at a Florida sorority house, I was expecting so much more from this. It started off well. Fast paced beginning, I was a drawn in immediately. I was intrigued where the story would take me. However, it slowed to almost a snails pace and I found it hard to stay engaged. It finally picked up again in the final 25% of the book which I flew through. I’m glad I stuck with it but the middle felt painful.

Although this was “based” on Ted Bundy, it felt like a retelling of some of his most infamous crimes with some of the victims names remaining the same. It lacked creativity for me as I’ve heard the Ted Bundy stories many times before as I’m sure many others have also.

Based on the description and reviews, I thought I'd love this, but ended up just liking it. I found certain storylines (the investigation at the sorority, in particular) way more captivating than others, which made the jumping around of the structure a little bit frustrating.

It's back and forth in time with dual POV and is extremely satisfying in how it all unfolds. Something I really admire is that this is NOT a story glamorizing the killer--in fact-- the killer is often referred to only as the defendant and at every opportunity his 'reputation' as handsome, intelligent, charming-- is debunked as is the media partly responsible for his glamorization. There is a lot going on here. It's dark. Theres trauma and grief and complicated family dynamics and three-dimensional sorority women. This book really worked for me. I might pick it for book club in the future because there are so many things that would be better discussed as a group. Begging you friends--- read this one!! I have a feeling it will be a breakout hit this fall.

A wonderful thriller with a compelling lead and great writing!! Knoll is a very skilled writer and the way she explores the plot and creates this sense of suspense was just amazing. Bright Young Woman definitely ticked all my boxes!

This is the first novel I read by Jessica Knoll, and I went into it without any previous knowledge about the story and inspiration behind it, apart from the summary at the back. I realised early on which serial killer the author was referencing to by the crimes described and their persona, but throughout the book, the killer isn’t named and is referred to only as The Defendant. By stripping them of their identity, the reader goes in without preconceived notions fed to us by the media in the past. Instead, we are presented with a more truthful perspective, one that debunks the myth of a so-called criminal mastermind and exposes this false narrative as the result of sensationalised reporting and corrupt investigating.

The story focuses on bright young women whose lives were either taken or affected by the aftermath of heinous events. Although this is a fictional account inspired by true events, it gives a voice to the women, the way it should have been all those years ago. The story also weaves in the backstory of the women’s lives and highlights a variety of social issues that women were confronted with during that era, and in many ways still face today.

There was a seamless mix of fact and fiction in this story and at many times, I found myself curious and stunned and more than unsettled. Knoll does such a brilliant job weaving together actual details of the crimes and investigation with the character stories that I found myself wondering where does reality begin to blur.
We are confronted with the main incident pretty early on, but the author introduces the characters with enough character details and engagement prior that made me bond with the women right away. As such, the events which unfolds was hard to bear and put me right there with them. From then on, we journey with these women as they face ordeals in their personal lives and their hunt for justice told through three timelines. The pace changes between Pamela’s and Ruth’s stories, and at times I felt there was maybe too much backstory when it came to Ruth, but I think that was because I was desperate to return to Pamela and the investigation that was unfolding. When it came to certain issues and criminal details including violent acts, these were handled with care and sensitivity. However, the book isn’t without horrifying aspects and some unsettling scenes.

After I finished this book, I was left wondering so many things about the victims and the investigation of the true crimes that took place, and I think this is exactly how we should all feel. Everyone, especially true crime enthusiasts, should definitely read this!

Samantha L.

Bright young women is an excellently written book, and the female characters were an absolute treasure to read about. Through Pamella and Ruth two different women facing different issues the book dives into misogyny and the way it presents itself into society. From shaming women for being sexual to homophobia along with various forms of abuse that take place in so many women's lives daily, this book is a masterpiece that should absolutely be in everyone's 2023 reading list.

A fantastic well written story set in the 1970s, with different POVs, told about how a serial killer had an impact of women lives. All with bright futures, who were strong and fierce.

Pamela who is president of her sorority sisters, she sees a man from a distance leaving their house late night, thinking it was her friend, Denise's boyfriend but quickly realised it wasn't, it was someone else!

Horror kicks in when she realises her sisters have been brutally hurt, who later do not make it which makes this a serial murder. I felt sorry for Jessica having to be the strong person responsible for her friends, and being the one to break it to their parents, whilst she has a difficult relationship with her own.

We follow Ruth's POV through the book to who's character develops into her own and she is an peculiar person but then realises sue must leave her awkward family and move in with Tina.

Tina her friend and lover, who goes missing and later believes what happened to Pamela's friends is the same person who hurt Ruth. Tina and Pamela then go on and seek answers.

This is a dark story, with twists and detailed events that are horrific. To read the aftermath of the victims and families who have suffered makes it a hard read. Nonetheless its a must to pick this up, which is due out in September.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read this arc. Release date is in September- pre order this now.

Bright Young Women is a gripping story of a series of murders in the 1970’s. The story brings together two women who fight to bring justice to the victims of Ted Bundy, who is known in Bright Young Women as “The Defendant”.

“You'd have made a good lawyer. I'd have loved to have you practice in front of me. But you went another way, partner.”

Which I think perfectly sums up the attitudes towards women during the 1970’s. Bundy was referred to as a “bright young man,” after his sentencing, Jessica Knoll has taken the facts from the case and reframed the narrative; putting the women in the centre of the story, captivating the readers through emotional dual perspectives and timelines.

Bright Young Women was nail-biter to say the least. As someone who loves all things true crime, I really enjoyed the perspectives of the women affected by the events in this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

This novel is simply superb.

When Ted Bundy was referred to as a "Bright young man" by the judge it perfectly summed up the attitudes of that time.

Jessica Knoll has taken that and created "Bright Young Women" a searing fictional narrative that exists in a very different and far more realistic viewpoint. The women you meet in this novel, victims, Survivors, justice seeking forces of nature, will sink into your subconscious memory, the reading of it is emotional and attitude defying.

The story is hugely compelling, difficult to put down and heart stopping, the writing is razor sharp, a knifes edge of authenticity focusing the read. Even if you were unaware going in of the inspiration for it you won't be long in the dark.

Very different in many ways from this authors previous reads, this one I think is definitive of where her writing superpower lies.

I won't say anymore about it other than I highly recommend it. Will no doubt be one of my books of the year.

Bright Young Women is the compelling story of a horrific sorority house murder in 1970s Florida. Two women join forces to make sure the victims of a serial killer finally get the justice they deserve.

Based on the crimes and trial of Ted Bundy (known here only as 'The Defendant'), Knoll reframes the narrative to put the women at the centre of her story. In the vein of Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark, it's a relentless exposé of the sexism at the heart of these crimes and their aftermath. While it is a little heavy-handed at times, the interlocking perspectives and timeframes mean there are several mysteries unfurlling at the same time, keeping the adrenaline high even though you know the final resolution.

Smart and emotive, Bright Young Women is a gripping novel reframing the familiar story of a true crime.

"It was indigestible, all the methods humans had devised to inflict more suffering. "

"Bright Young Women" is a beautifully written book about one of the most well-known and brutal serial killers and his victims. I enjoyed the factual parts of this book, but I was not a huge fan of the fiction. Coming onto the end of the book I got a little frustrated with the constant flash backs when I really wanted to focus on the trial and what was going on in the courtroom. I felt as a reader I was robbed a little in that regard. Nonetheless it was still a solid read, and the author did do a good job keeping the reader invested in this story that we heard and read about so many times before.
You can really tell that time, research and effort was put into this book and I really appreciate that especially for the victims and their memory.
I recommend this one to those of you who are like me and really enjoy a good true crime read and if you like a little fiction mixed it then this is really the book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for my Advanced eReaders Copy of this book I'm exchange for my honest review.

A very long and very meandering story.

I was so excited to start Jessica Knoll’s latest novel that I couldn’t press ‘request’ fast enough! Only once I had it in my grasp it just didn’t feel like the type of book I had hoped for or in any way as good as her last.

This book is massive!! And the story is feels like an entire lifetime with no certain direction or sense of pace. The beginning is probably the most exciting part and yet Knoll disguises and refrains from allowing the reader the first person experience. The handling of the situation is done so sensitively that as a reader you question if this is actually what’s happening or if we are to believe Pamela’s lag in addressing what she is witnessing.

After the main event the story breaks in to two parts following the timeline of Pamela and Ruth. Both undeniably bright and both living in a time where women are still very much oppressed and are on the cusp of breaking free.

I didn’t dislike the book but I didn’t necessarily love it or enjoy it to the point that I couldn’t put it down. It was a mission to complete it and there was an awful lot of beautiful yet pointless narrative and insights. Sadly because they were so intertwined with the main narrative it was hard to decipher what needed remembering and what could be enjoyed and passed on.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled with this book unfortunately. The description sounded really interesting and the book cover is very eye-catching but I found it quite confusing to follow. The characters did not draw me in and I found there was a lot of jumping around with plot and characters. Perhaps I read it at the wrong time and may indeed try again. I hadn’t realised before reading that it was based on Ted Bundy and it all makes more sense now.