I’m not a true crime girly. I had no idea “The Defendant” lived & went to school in the same state that I’ve lived in for my whole life, so I found this book to be very eye-opening. Not only to the facts of the crimes, but also to the misogyny & incompetence of all the men involved! I loved that instead of focusing on the infamous killer, Knoll shifts the narrative to the women affected by his heinous crimes, giving them the voices they were often denied in media coverage. Their strength, courage, & intelligence as they seek justice & closure is inspiring. This novel is both a suspenseful thriller & and a poignant tribute to the resilience of victims, with a feminist undercurrent that highlights how society often fails to protect & honor women.