Brian Plunkett reviewed Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Bright Young Women - 4 Stars
4 stars
(Read in 2023) A gripping and incisive thriller that keeps getting better as it proceeds. Enraging but empowering. In some ways, it's definitely a tough read because of the subject matter (serial killer targeting young women), but on the other hand its real focus is on celebrating the women - and recognizing their potential. In the process, it also impressively dismantles both true crime fascination in general and the hype about one defendant in particular. There are plenty of almost cartoonish portrayals of men being sexist idiots/assholes (boyfriends, law enforcement, etc.), and yet ... those depictions ring true.