Bright Young Women cover art

Bright Young Women

A Novel

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Bright Young Women

Written by: Jessica Knoll
Narrated by: Sutton Foster, Imani Jade Powers, Corey Brill, Chris Henry Coffey
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About this listen

Don’t miss this “breakneck thriller” examining “our culture’s obsession with serial killers and true crime” (Harper’s Bazaar) following two women on the pursuit of justice against all odds. “A fascinating look at true crime and tabloid culture that's as thoughtful as it is gripping” (People).

A New York Times Notable Book of 2023
New York Times Editors’ Choice
Instant
New York Times Bestseller
A
Goodreads Choice Award Finalist
Named a Best Book of the Year by
NPR, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Kirkus Reviews, CrimeReads, Booklist, and more!
An Edgar Award Finalist for Best Novel

Masterfully blending elements of psychological suspense and true crime, Jessica Knoll—author of the bestselling novel Luckiest Girl Alive and the writer behind the Netflix adaption starring Mila Kunis—delivers a new and exhilarating thriller in Bright Young Women. The book opens on a Saturday night in 1978, hours before a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house with deadly results. The lives of those who survive, including sorority president and key witness, Pamela Schumacher, are forever changed. Across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced her missing friend was targeted by the man papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer—and that he’s struck again. Determined to find justice, the two join forces as their search for answers leads to a final, shocking confrontation.

Blisteringly paced, Bright Young Women is “Jessica Knoll at her best—an unflinching and evocative novel about the tabloid fascination with evil and the dynamic and brilliant women who have the real stories to tell” (Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me); and “a compelling, almost hypnotic read and I loved it with a passion” (Lisa Jewell, New York Times bestselling author of None of This Is True).

©2023 Jessica Knoll (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio
Crime Thrillers Suspense Thriller Women's Fiction Fiction
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What listeners say about Bright Young Women

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great story!

This story revolves around the chaos left behind by “a defendant” after he kills women at a sorority house one horrible night in 1978. It asks that we consider how serial killers are glorified while their victims suffer not only by the act itself but also by the way society has become drawn to them in media. Because of this, I don’t even want to utter his name out of respect for the lives he irrevocably damaged.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

heartwarming, i think

i thought it was well written, and the performances were superb. i think to bring it up to a 5 star book itself i would have just a little bit... more something. don't know what. suspense? not sure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

A book that so badly needed to be written and should be read by everyone! Wow! Just wow!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sad but interesting

Good story to hear the other side of peoples sadness and what they may feel surrounding such loss. He doesn’t deserve to be mentioned which I agree with. Didn’t think we needed the added male voices/parts towards the end as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely LOVED

I think everyone should read this, it’s so well written and an important perspective that doesn’t get portrayed enough in the media.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Feminist perspective on one of the most famous murder sprees in the '70s.

I really liked a fictional focus on the survivors and victims. It did take me a while to really get in it but I did find it satisfying in the end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Creepily good story

The narrators did a great job of telling this story. Not mentioning his name but only calling him The Defendant. Heartbreaking story but told from a new perspective of the bright young women who were murdered.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good listen

Loved the story, can someone please tell me when the pronunciation of “ed” became “t”? Didn’t turns into dit’nt! Was totally distracted by Pamela’s chapters! Frustrating

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenally moving.

The way the story is structured is perfect. Ruth and Pamela's journeys are harrowing and incredibly moving. Recommend!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely stunning

Fascinating and heartbreaking, this is the kind of serial killer story we have all been waiting for, even if we don’t yet know it.

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