"Jessica Knoll's 'Bright Young Women': A Haunting Tribute to Ted Bundy's Victims"
In her novel "Bright Young Women," Jessica Knoll shifts the focus from a notorious serial killer to the women who died by his hand. The story follows Pamela, the only survivor who still carries the trauma of the attack, and her quest for justice alongside Tina, a widow seeking justice for another victim. Knoll skillfully alternates between their perspectives, highlighting the distinct and memorable characters. The novel explores societal horrors, simmering rage, and the struggle for women's voices to be heard. Knoll's storytelling ends with a cathartic scream, challenging the myth of the "murderer/genius" one cut at a time.