Play Book Tag discussion

Florida State University sorority president, Pamela Shumacher, is working late one January night when she hears strange noises. She sees a man running out the front door. At first, she assumes it's one of the sorority sister's boyfriends, but soon realizes that she doesn't know who he is. She sees blood on a door and discovers multiple violent crimes, including murder, were committed. Pam is the only eyewitness.

Based on Ted Bundy’s real-life crime spree, Bright Young Women alternates between timelines and perspectives. Pamela’s story is set in Tallahassee in 1978. Alternating with Pamela’s story is that of Ruth Wachowsky, set four years earlier in Washington state. Ruth is divorced, has recently lost her beloved father and is living unhappily with her difficult mother. She meets a dynamic woman named Martina Cannon, who changes her life.

This was a slow burn crime character study, rather than a typical mystery/thriller. One of the most notable things about this story is that, despite the obvious fact that Ted Bundy is the killer, his name is actually never even mentioned. The way the author wrote the novel alters the true-crime perspective by shifting the focus from the assailant to a determined young woman.

The title was a mystery to me until I remembered the judge's closing remarks for Bundy after sentencing him to death. He called him a "bright young man". In reality, Bundy was not. He was just a good scammer. This book is a 2024 Edgar Award nominee for Best Novel.

I really slammed her earlier novel (debut?) Luckiest Girl Alive, but I would read this! I just had some issues with Luckiest Girl Alive that I couldn't get over. Somehow I knew even then I would still like to read this author's work,

Glad you enjoy / recommend this one!