‘Bright Young Women’ by Jessica Knoll
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.”
Jessica Knoll is an author to watch
Jessica wrote the screenplay to take her debut Luckiest Girl Alive from book to film. As soon as it was released, it was #1 on Netflix around the globe.
Bright Young Women is Jessica’s third novel where she takes her craft to a whole new level covering the crimes of Ted Bundy from the perspective of his female victims. This was an ambitious novel that she pulled off perfectly. The book rotates in perspectives from Pamela to Ruth in a way that leaves you on the edge of your seat wanting the next chapter and then the next.
Knoll's writing delves deep into the intricacies of the characters' lives, exploring their dreams, aspirations, and struggles. With her sharp and insightful prose, she sheds light on the pressures and expectations that society places on women and the choices they must make to carve out their own paths.
Once There Were Wolves is a book that seamlessly combines beautiful prose, an awe-inspiring setting, and a captivating storyline. McConaghy's ability to explore the complexities of human nature and our relationship with the natural world makes this novel a truly unforgettable read. So, grab a copy, cozy up, and prepare to be transported to the enchanting world of Scottish wilderness, where wolves roam and mysteries abound.
