Bright Young Women Audiobook By Jessica Knoll cover art

Bright Young Women

A Novel

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Bright Young Women

By: Jessica Knoll
Narrated by: Sutton Foster, Imani Jade Powers, Corey Brill, Chris Henry Coffey
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.74

Buy for $18.74

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

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 Scary
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Editorial Review

A serial killer retelling defined by smart narrative choices
The true crime boom—which began roughly after Serial released in 2014 and ended with the social and cultural upheavals of 2020—left behind a feeling of collective queasiness about our former fixation. This year, fiction writers are helping us process with novels that interrogate the genre, including Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions for You, Eliza Clark’s Penance (also out this month), and now, this new release from Luckiest Girl Alive author Jessica Knoll. Bright Young Women redefines one of America’s most infamous serial killer stories—trust me, you know which one—with a multi-perspective, multi-timeline narrative that explores the case through its central women, from a sorority president called to lead in the face of tragedy to a fearless victim’s advocate pursuing justice amid incompetence and indifference. This a gripping and provocative novel defined by the myriad smart decisions, from the choice to not name the perpetrator to the full-cast audio performance, that ensure the voices of these bright young women shine through. —Kat J., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Bright Young Women

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,200
  • 4 Stars
    315
  • 3 Stars
    133
  • 2 Stars
    41
  • 1 Stars
    14
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,240
  • 4 Stars
    256
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,120
  • 4 Stars
    292
  • 3 Stars
    115
  • 2 Stars
    44
  • 1 Stars
    22

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Different perspective of a well known story

This book was written in a way that I have not seen before and it was PERFECT. The life and story they give to the victims rather than the perpetrator is a welcomed change of pace. If you love true crime, you will LOVE this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking and amazing

I love how they told this story in the victims point of view! It never mentioned the killer’s name, how appropriate! Honoring the victim’s memory, such a great way to tell this story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Loved at his Book!

I put off listening to the last 15 minutes for three days because I just didn’t want for it to end. Sometimes I think to myself that I’d like to write a novel, but then I read an author whose talent leaves me speechless and I realize that writing a book should be left to the gifted. This is one of those.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Excellent all the way to the end. You will not want to stop listening. Very well written.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dang! Super powerful!

Books rarely gives me nightmares. This book did, literally. Definitely made me more aware of my surroundings!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just, WOW!

What an amazing story of resilient women! I loved every second of this story and the new perspective on the story we have all heard.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it.

I didn’t really know what to expect … it was a super enjoyable crime thriller that was well read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book

This is such an interesting perspective on the current obsession with true crime and those last few chapters really got to me

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Addicting

I found myself going back to listen during any free time. Sad story, but captivating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting

Perfection. One of my top books of 2023. I have told so many people to either read or listen to this incredible, unforgettable book. The narration was the best I’ve heard in a while.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!