Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

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.

Published by Simon & Schuster
on September 19, 2023

Review:

If you were alive in the 1970s or 80s, you’re probably very familiar with the name Ted Bundy – one of America’s most infamous serial killers. Within the last few years, Netflix did a documentary on him as well as a movie starring Zac Effron. The problem is – as is the case with most serial killer coverage – when you hear their names, you immediately think of the crimes they committed, but we know little to nothing about their victims. What I loved about this book is that it takes a fresh and subjective approach to Bundy’s reign of terror. Rather than focusing on the murderer himself (he doesn’t even get a name in this book), the author tells a version of the story from the perspectives of two young women whose lives were deeply affected by Bundy’s heinous crimes.

The story kicks off in 1978, a time when a serial killer has been terrorizing women in the Pacific Northwest, far away from Florida State University. But when Pamela Schumacher, the president of a sorority at Florida State awakens to a strange sound at 3 a.m., she stumbles upon a horrific scene that will change her life forever.

In 1974, Tina Cannon meets Ruth Wachowsky, a young woman with family struggles and a dark secret. The two form an instant connection and develop a beautiful relationship, but tragedy strikes when Ruth goes missing in broad daylight at Lake Sammamish State Park. Determined to uncover the truth behind Ruth’s disappearance, Tina makes her way across the country, where she meets Pamela, and the two women work together to make sure the murderer is not only captured but also convicted of his crimes.

What sets Bright Young Women apart from other books and documentaries focusing on this man is the author’s ability to present a fresh narrative by focusing not on the murderer but rather on two women whose lives are radically impacted by his heinous actions. By placing the focus on the women affected by Bundy, the novel highlights their strength, resilience, and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity and less on how “brilliant” and “charismatic” he was. Knoll challenges this perception (which was constantly presented in any press he received) and indicates that maybe he wasn’t exactly brilliant or charismatic, but rather, he was just a slimy braggart who had way too much self-confidence, and people mistook that as charisma and intelligence.

The book is immersive and engaging and unfolds through alternating perspectives, allowing the reader to see things from both Pamela’s and Ruth’s perspectives. The author’s attention to detail and meticulous research add an element of authenticity to the story, making it all the more chilling and compelling. It was interesting to read the story through these two very different lenses. Both women are victims but in different ways. Pamela wasn’t attacked but did see the attacker leave the sorority house; two of her friends ended up dead, and two others were gravely injured. On the other hand, Ruth did end up being murdered by him, but before this happens, we really get to know who Ruth is before she was murdered, which we never get when we hear about serial killers.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the character development. Pamela and Ruth are both relatable. Knoll skillfully captures their struggles, fears, and desires, making them strong female characters and individuals with whom readers can empathize. It is worth noting that the names in the book aren’t the names of the actual victims, and while their stories are very similar to what actually happened, this is a work of fiction. That said, the author does a great job of sticking to the facts while also making the characters her own.

In my opinion, this is a must-read for fans of true crime and psychological thrillers. Jessica Knoll has masterfully taken a well-known story and transformed it into a riveting tale that challenges our preconceptions and celebrates the resilience of the women who refused to be defined by tragedy. This book is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to shed light on forgotten narratives. It will leave readers both heartbroken and inspired. It challenges us to look past the monsters who commit these awful crimes and reminds us that the victims are more than just a name.