Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll on September 19, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / Crime, Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense, Fiction / Women
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
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Bright Young Women is based off of a real life story of a serial killer who targeted a sorority in Seattle. The story follows two girls who’s lives were impacted by this ordinary man in ways that were unforgettable. The story is told from both perspectives until their stories diverge. This felt like a true crime novel with some sad and gritty details in between.
We first hear about Pamela, a student at Florida State University. She is the president of her sorority and a rule follower. This makes her not very popular with her best friend, Denise, and they drift apart. But they still live in the same house.
Then there is Ruth’s story of her troubled past. I felt sorry for her right away. She lives with her mother after her divorce and her mother isn’t the easiest person to live with. She joins a grief counseling group to cope with the loss of her father, who concealed his own sexuality, causing his daughter all the pain and angst you can imagine. At the group, Ruth meets Tina, a woman who has lost her rich, elderly husband. Tina helps her face her feelings about her father and her own feelings of feeling inadequate.
The story navigates between the contemporary Pamela, who receives a cryptic and possibly perilous letter propelling her to seek justice, and snapshots of Ruth’s life before her vanishing in the 1970s. In an improbable alliance, Pamela, Tina, and the enthusiastic young reporter Carl join forces, embarking on a mission to unveil the truth and ensure that the perpetrator pays for his crimes. The courtroom tension of the late 1970s becomes a captivating backdrop to their quest for justice, with heightened stakes and unforeseen turns holding readers in suspense.
The author delves into themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the unwavering spirit of women striving to overcome societal constraints. Filled with suspense, secrets, and chilling revelations, the pages of the book captivates readers, holding their attention until the final moments. I recommend if you are a fan of Knoll’s previous works.