The Murder Of Bindy Mackenzie (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Through her diary, memos, letters, e-mails, etc., readers get to know this humorously unlikable, holier-than-thou perfectionist. The twist is that Bindy is being slowly murdered! It's easy to miss that detail, though, as the story focuses on her growth away from over-judging others, specifically her seven fellow Year 11 students in her "Friendship and Development" course at their Australian private school. Forgetting the murder thing-which Moriarty mostly does for 450 pages of this tome-this is an enjoyable, well-paced read with an emotional delicacy weaving through the light humor of Bindy's egocentricity. After Bindy's growth, however, the author postpones the denouement to tie the remaining loose threads up in an action-packed murder-mystery ending, utterly changing the book's tone. Moriarty's fans will miss the fully fleshed-out supporting characters of her earlier novels, but Bindy is a perversely engaging protagonist.—Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library
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From Booklist

Moriarty follows The Year of Secret Assignments (2004) with another uproarious novel written entirely in diary entries, school assignments, transcripts, and other inventive formats. Once again the setting is Ashbury High, in Sydney, Australia, and Bindy Mackenzie, who had a pivotal cameo in Assignments, returns as the central character. Brilliant, precocious Bindy (who wrote in her diary at age 10, "I've been struggling a bit with Ulysses by James Joyce") is frustrated when her gestures of kindness toward fellow students go unappreciated. Her aggressive resistance to a new required course, Friendship and Development, sharply alienates a group of her fellow classmates, whom she nicknames the Venomous Six. But as she gradually gains self-awareness, it's these students, along with a dreamy transfer student, Finnegan, who embrace, support, and even save her. An additional crime plot is absurdly, gleefully flimsy and preposterous. It's the wild balancing act of shifting formats; the truths about family, school, and social pressures; and Bindy's unforgettable, earnest, hilariously high-strung voice that will capture and hold eager readers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439740517
• ISBN-13: 978-0439740517
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #447,741 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost stopped reading, but I'm glad I didn't, March 5, 2007

By	Audrey - See all my reviews

Jaclyn Moriarty's last book I read, The Year of Secret Assignments, was great, so when I heard she had a new book out, I really wanted to read it.

The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie was not quite what I expected. It follows the ramblings of perfectionist, Bindy Mackenzie, which I found to be very tiring in the beginning. She was a very difficult character to relate to. I've always thought I was strange, but she brought strangeness to a whole new level. From her constant obsessions about school work and doing everything absolutely perfectly to her rising sadness and anger over her classmates mistreatment and disregard of her, Bindy eventually reaches her breaking point and fights back.

About one hundred pages into the book I was already bored and began seriously wondering what the point of the story was. But, take it from me, waiting for the story to pick up is well worth it. So, don't give up just yet; give the story time, and pay careful attention.

A new class is started at Bindy's school, and Bindy is forced to communicate and even bond with those people she had never believed she would find anything in common with. What follows is Bindy's discovery of herself and who she truly is. Anyone who has ever felt lonely or as if they didn't belong will identify with Bindy in some way. And I think that's pretty much all I want to say right now.

What I hate most about reading the back covers of books to find out what they're about is that they sometimes tell what happens in the story more than halfway through the book, as is the case with this one. But when the plot finally picked up (I think the turning point came after Bindy receives a special assignment from Try)I was hardly expecting what came next.

I don't want to say what exactly the story is about, or what the big twist was; I hate doing that. But if you liked any of Jaclyn Moriarty's other books, this one is also very good. Wait for the story to pick up if you're bored, don't skip parts or open to the end, because you'll just spoil all the twists and turns for yourself.

If you like this you should also try The Year of Secret Assignments, also by Jaclyn Moriarty or Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman. Both are great books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, a good read, January 4, 2007

By	Colette Palkovic (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

The Crime- The Falling apart {both mentally and physically} , mental unstableness, halluciations, and severe poisonings of 11th grader

Victim- The notorious Bindy Mackenzie, known for her extensive vocabulary, abnormal hairstyle, and advanced perspective on academics.

Suspects- Airheaded Emily Thompson, absentminded Elizabeth Clarry, mouthy Toby Mazzerati, malicious Astrid Bexonville, silent Briony Atkins, narcissistic Segio Saba, handsome, enigmatic Finnegan Blonde. Also known as the classmates in the Friends and Developement (FAD) class.

Truth- This book was laced with vivid and colorful dialogue, and a satisfyingly unpredictable ending. I myself loved the book and I hold to it a high recomendation, but yet, there are a few irritating flaws.
This book, which starts off very well, but doesnt state the major plot untill it is 3/4ths through the book. This isnt such a bad thing, but after the "murder" is actually acknowledged (which is towards the end) the rest of the story goes by pretty quickly. Otherwise, i greatly enjoyed this book and hope you do so too. =]

5.0 out of 5 stars Bindy sure is.... Different., August 22, 2009

By	Joy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Of Bindy Mackenzie (Mass Market Paperback)

I have never read a teen novel with SUCH great characterization! I'm used to blah characters that somehow get into serious situations, like in a Sarah Dessen book. (Which I enjoy, but it gets boring.)
I can't exactly relate to Bindy, but it's always interesting to get into the head of an outcast.
Bindy is at the top of her class, as urged by her father, and is working herself to death(!), just trying to stay on top.
But because of her academic excellence and 'better-than-thou' persona, people don't understand her in the least... She's just so strange!
Her actions are ridiculous sometimes, but you can't help, well, not wanting her dead!
This book is so much different from anything out there, I definitely recommend it!