A review by booklvrkat
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

“In seventeen months, I would relish repeating this description for a courtroom. I’d had about enough of hearing how handsome he was, and no man likes to be called small.” 
 
Mini blurb:  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. 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. 
 
This is one of those times I wish I had read the blurb. I’ve seen this book everywhere, and I was hoodwinked in. There are so many triggers & cautions before you begin reading I implore you to read those first. I was pulled into the story due to the fantastic writing style and wish I had stopped after the first chapter. The tale doesn’t get better as Pamela continues to try and solve the hideous crime against her sisters & sorority. As the story unfolds we learn more about the sorority sisters and their families. DAYS after finishing this story, and it’s as fresh in my mind as what I had for breakfast today. 
 
TW/CW: Murder, Rape, Sexual Assault, Disfigurement, Homophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexism, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Gun Violence 
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