Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge

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Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 696 ratings · 53 reviews

Bobby Kent was a bullya steroid-pumped 20-year-old who dominated his peers in their comfortable, middle-class Ft. Lauderdale beach community through psychological, physical and sexual abuse. But on a summer night in 1993, Bobby was lured to the edge of the Florida everglades with a promise of sex and drugs. . .and was never seen alive again. The tormentor had become the v

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Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages

Published February 1st 1998 by Avon (first published 1997)

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Jan 14, 2013 Kara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013

I found this a fast and engaging read, even though it is about a vicious murder. I can't feel entirely sympathetic with the victim, nor his murderers. He seems to have been a sociopath and the rest were not of a sound and reasonable mind. It's obvious from every move they made that they were not responsible adults, instead their parents just let them do whatever they wanted and paid their bills. I am disgusted with the parents a lot more than the actual 'kids' involved in the murder. They should...more I found this a fast and engaging read, even though it is about a vicious murder. I can't feel entirely sympathetic with the victim, nor his murderers. He seems to have been a sociopath and the rest were not of a sound and reasonable mind. It's obvious from every move they made that they were not responsible adults, instead their parents just let them do whatever they wanted and paid their bills. I am disgusted with the parents a lot more than the actual 'kids' involved in the murder. They should've put their foot down at some point, much earlier than this sad story begins.

*SPOILERS*

I do feel bad, to a certain extent, for what they went through before Bobby's murder. But they could've gone to the police and asked for help. The one girl was raped, but with her past it may have been hard to convince anyone that it was a rape. But then, she could've at least stayed away from him. I think the other girl should've just left Marty and Bobby, and never went back. Marty could've done any number of things - gone back to school somewhere else, joined the army - but he didn't even look into it. Murder should've been the last thing on their minds. Especially with the way they went about it. They told nearly everyone they met on the street that they had killed somebody and that's like the first thing you shouldn't be doing.

I had a bit of a problem concerning the way the author wrote this book. I'm more of a factual person, I read a lot of biographies, histories, and the like. Sometimes I watch true crime shows and that's where my interest in the book stemmed from. In the beginning, there was a pointless part about a teenage prostitution ring, but you didn't really need to know any of the people involved. It would've been easier to mention that the girl was a part of one at one time and leave it at that. Also, the author acted as if he had been a fly on the wall during the discussions the murderers had before the murder. It was a novelistic speculation of what had happened, which, while good and exciting reading, was a bit irksome to me, because it was speculation and not entirely truthful. Also, I didn't like how the relationship between Marty and Bobby was represented in the beginning. That whole gay-but-not-gay thing that they supposedly did. I'm not sure if it should be in the book or not.

The perspective I wanted to see the most was from Bobby Kent's parents and family. And that was sorely lacking. It was their son who had been murdered and their lives had been changed forever. I also wanted to see how his relationship with his family was and that was barely in there. Those other families, who can't see what idiots they raised, can still see their dumb kids. Most of them are already out on parole.

The ending was rather depressing. These people and their families will seemingly never understand what they did. And after reading a recent interview with one of the murderers, I think I'm right. (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Woman-Co... - the video doesn't work.)

Otherwise, I found it a fascinating and well written read, barely a grammatical or editorial error. The movie is on my to-watch list, although I have doubts that they could make an interesting dialogue between these people, with their "likes" and their "cools" being so much a part of their conversation.(less)

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Jun 06, 2011 Emmy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Despite the strong drug and alcohol use, I loved the book.

Bobby Kent is a 20 year old, steroid using college student who is physically, emotionally, and sexually abusive to his friends, especially to his best friend since 3rd grade, Marty Puccio. Marty came home almost every night limping with cuts and bruises all over his body at the hands of Bobby. It caused his parents great worry over his relationship with Bobby, and no matter how many times Marty begged his parents to move, nothing was done...more Despite the strong drug and alcohol use, I loved the book.

Bobby Kent is a 20 year old, steroid using college student who is physically, emotionally, and sexually abusive to his friends, especially to his best friend since 3rd grade, Marty Puccio. Marty came home almost every night limping with cuts and bruises all over his body at the hands of Bobby. It caused his parents great worry over his relationship with Bobby, and no matter how many times Marty begged his parents to move, nothing was done about the constant physical and mental abusive Marty suffered from Bobby.

Marty becomes the boyfriend of Lisa Connelly, a lonely, sad, overweight girl who becomes obsessed with Marty and having to be with him almost every second of the day. When Lisa sees the abuse Marty goes through by his "best friend", she convinces Marty that they need to kill him.

Lisa gathers a couple of her friends, Ali, Ali's friend Heather and boyfriend Donny, and Lisa's cousin Derek. Teaming up with Marty and a hired mafia hitman, Derek K., the seven kids lure Bobby into a swamp and beat him and stab him to death.

Three things I had a problem with were; 1). The title. "Bully" would've been just fine. "Bully: The True High School of Revenge" is wrong. Seeing as the seven main characters aged from 17-20 and were all high school drop-outs except Bobby, "Bully" would've been a more better title.

2). The parts about the trial (from the lawyers' perspective) at the end and about 17 pages into the book about a couple guys who girls turned tricks for (can't remember who they were). Those parts were so freaking boring for me. The part about the guys who girls turned tricks for I skipped at first, then went back because I didn't want to miss anything or be confused incase it was important information (in which, I found it not to be). But it was torturous for me to read. Not because of the writing style. Just from the information itself. I like to get straight to the point of the book and in the perspective of the teens who I am more closer to in age. I HATE having to read in the perspective of adults. Period.

3). The way they handled the abuse and bullying of Bobby. Bobby had raped Ali and Lisa. Instead of taking a more easier route to be rid of him by pressing charges and testifying against him for sexual assault, they created a whole new set of problems for themselves and they were the ones who ended up in jail. That really pissed me off. Three are serving life sentences, and the rest are already released.

But of course, from being high all the time, I can see why they didn't think more thoroughly. But also, I can see another reason why they would just murder him, even though it is never a smart idea to do so.

I was bullied my 8th grade year by a senior and a couple of his friends. I, of course, want to put him through the pain he put me through. I won't bother confronting him (physically) ever.

I, in my opinion, think they murdered him for two reasons (from the top of my head): 1). They wanted revenge. 2). They weren't thinking too clearly.

Seeing as I've had a long, exhausting day and its almost 1 in the morning here, my review may be a little foggy, and possibly stupid. But I loved this book and the movie. The writing detail was perfect. The entire story itself was gripping and I couldn't tear my eyes away. And of course, I couldn't stop looking at the pictures before the murder scene.

I would recommend this book. I finished it within a couple days of renting it, and that rarely ever happens because I'm always too lazy to read a lot. This book is the best book in my opinion.(less)

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Aug 11, 2009 David rated it 1 of 5 stars

From time to time I enjoy a true crime story and I have to admit I read this one rather quickly..

Bully is the story of Buddy and Marty. The two are best friends, but Buddy dominates Marty fiercely. He hits him, teases him, and tortures him. That is, until Marty meets and starts dating Lisa. Lisa, fed up with her man being the target of Buddy's temper and wild mood swings, instigates an evil plot to murder Buddy. Before it is over she enlists seven teens (most of who do not even know Buddy) to p...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Liz Dalton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: guilty-pleasures, 2012-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 27, 2012 Leslie Kent rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-so-far, true-crime

Actual rating 2.5 stars but am rounding down as my opinion was at the lower end of the spectrum. I watched this movie when it first came out and was disturbed enough but not in a true crime phase at the time, so left it alone. It was on tv recently and, as much as the first time, gave me chills. This time it sparked an interest in checking out the book. I am not giving this book a 2.5 based on the crime. This was a sickening event, primarily because of the lack of remorse by all primary and remo...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book isn't your typical inside-out in depth account of a true crime. It's written more like a novel which kept the pace rolling real quick for me. The conspirators and victims, man what can I even say about them? Their almost constantly drug fueled decision making skills were making me face-palm up until the incredibly brutal murder. To me, the title seems a bit misleading, "a tale of high school revenge" when most of the attackers didn't even finish high school. Also the author REALLY must...more

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Jun 24, 2009 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. seriously one of the more disturbing true crime tales i have ever read (and this coming from the girl who reads about the likes of the manson family, elizabeth bathory and h.h. holmes, among others). somehow, this one single murder (and of a guy who arguably kind of had it coming) seems so much more brutal and cold.

i suspect, however, that it wasn't the murder itself that made me shudder and my skin crawl. i think it was the murderers/co-conspirators themselves. they just... didn't get it. they

...more seriously one of the more disturbing true crime tales i have ever read (and this coming from the girl who reads about the likes of the manson family, elizabeth bathory and h.h. holmes, among others). somehow, this one single murder (and of a guy who arguably kind of had it coming) seems so much more brutal and cold.

i suspect, however, that it wasn't the murder itself that made me shudder and my skin crawl. i think it was the murderers/co-conspirators themselves. they just... didn't get it. they didn't seem to grasp what they had done or what it meant, not in their own lives or to society as a whole. their parents didn't seem to grasp it either. it sounded like all those stories you hear about girls who get date raped, and all anyone seems to care about is that the poor dude doesn't get his life ruined over "something so small." it's just so... sick.

although, admittedly, strangely fascinating. i couldn't put this book down. every single time there was a decision to be made, everyone involved seem to pick exactly the opposite of sanity. sure, bobby was an abusive asshole. while he thought he was breaking poor marty down into a maleable little slave, he was actually chipping off the humanity until he was left with a monster even worse than he was. but lisa... i just don't understand her. i can't even glimpse where she was coming from. i mean, i get the alienation she felt. i get the insecurity of being seemingly the only girl in town not getting her slut on. i've been there, i know what that feels like. but then she finds marty, and it's like it just breaks her brain. she becomes this exotic creature i've never even heard of, who thinks that her abusive ass of a boyfriend is the center of the universe; more important than ANYTHING ever. and that he can be fixed by something as simple as killing his "best" friend.

even more apalling, she tells freaking EVERYONE she knows about her plan. most of them decide to join in. only one guy in the whole bunch even expresses reservations with the "plan," and even those are half-hearted at best. i just... there aren't even words.

and the single most insane thing about this whole sordid ordeal: they totally had even odds at getting away with the whole damn thing if everybody had just not been stupid. and even after they were caught and HAD CONFESSED the whole thing, still they (and their families!?) were shocked (shocked!) that they might actually have to take the rap for MURDERING someone. the insanity just piles up. it's insane to want to kill your boyfriend's best friend. it's insane to tell other people you want to. it's insane that they would agree that that is, of course, the best possible course of action. it's insane that they all actually did it. it's insane they all went around telling everyone around them all about it. it's insane that they didn't expect to get caught. it's insane that they were all surprised when they were found guilty.

so, now i'm renting the movie. because my mind is still just... blown. i mean.... wow.

(less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013, true-crime

I had issues with this author. The first is he spends too much time writing about incidents that have no direct bearing to the story nor do they even serve the purpose of character background. I would read through pages of stories that were neither here nor there and and the end scratch my head thinking what the hell did that have to do with anything? The other issue, and this is a big one, he writes dialogue as if verbatim. Which unless he was there recording every last word each person said is...more

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Feb 10, 2008 Susan Kelley rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: true crime fanatics

Recommended to Susan by: Yahoo ReadNSwap Group

This is a book about disturbed people - deeply disturbed. The worst part is that this book is a true-crime book. These people really exist, adme they really did the horrible things that the author describes. Seven kids ranging in age from 15-20 brutally murdered a friend of theirs because he was a bully. He was no ordinary bully - he was sick. He forced people to do sexual things, he beats and ridicules people.

Even worse than the amoral behavior of these kids is the way the parents reacted. All...more

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Aug 13, 2007 Mark R. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fast-paced and very detailed, "Bully" is quite an impressive book, a nonfiction novel about some kids between the ages of seventeen and nineteen who decide to kill one of their friends, a nasty son of a bitch named Bobby Kent.

Bobby's been humiliating, beating, and otherwise terrorizing his best friend, Marty Puccio, since they were little kids, and when he starts getting on the wrong side of Marty's girlfriend and some of her friends, the kids decide to kill him.

Naturally, Schutze had to theoriz...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Tenderfoot rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: true-crime, total-bullshit

Garbage! This should be listed under "fiction" because that is exactly what most of the book is. Sure Bobby Kent was murdered by the kids he bullied and they were caught and are now serving time. However, I doubt very much that that this tragic story went down the way the author described. Don't waist your time. Believe it or not, the movie was way better and I can't stand pederast filmmaker Larry Clark either but it was.

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Mar 14, 2013 Aaron Powell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: serial-killer-true-crime

This story can serve as a kind of warning to society about what can occur when our youth are ignored and allowed to run free. I personally found the movie to be much better (and that is rare for me), and I highly recommend that in conjunction with this book. But while this book isn't so great in my opinion, it does fill in some gaps that the movie simply doesn't address.

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Sep 04, 2011 Kevin L. rated it 3 of 5 stars

During the initial pages of reading this book, I had determined that I was going to through it out after finishing. It is a disturbing read of a true life disturbing group of young people who had no regard for life, themselves or others. The book did become easier to ingest, but it was truly sad to see in writing what humans are capable of.

P.S. I will be forwarding the book to my sister and then throwing it in the trash. (per her request)

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Aug 04, 2011 Alex rated it 2 of 5 stars

It was a true story about a group of kids who murdered one of their 'friends' and left him to die before being caught the very next day. It was disturbing to say the least, but it was the kind of book I couldn't put down because, even though it was slow at times, I knew it would heat up. By nature, the story is gripping. The writing wasn't fantastic, though.

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Mar 15, 2013 Ann237 rated it 3 of 5 stars

I usually find the book more enjoyable than the movie, I cannot say that in this case. But I also hate giving low ratings that has to do with someone's life experiences.
And if not for any other reason if one cannot see the movie than the book needs to be read because of the way society is today it is a situation that's sadly all to real today.

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Aug 16, 2011 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars

As my first true crime book, I think I made a pretty awesome choice. I read this book in less than 24 hours. I could not put it down. I've read it about 8 times and I've had 3 or 4 copies of it. It's written really well and easy to follow. Anyone who has interest in true crime should definitely pick this up.

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Jul 29, 2009 Tracy Snyder rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a great, well-written book about a tragic true story. What a DUMB bunch of kids these happened to be. The whole entire fiasco was like a comedy of errors, which makes it even more unfortunate that someoen lost his life in the process, though the guy was truly a jack-ass.

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Apr 09, 2011 Corey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: true-crime

When this book was written this wasn't as a big deal as it is today... But having known the brother of a kid that whacked his bully, this book hit home... A must read for parents of a child bullying or being bullied. It will help with the tell-tale signs of what may come...

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Jun 28, 2012 Faith Mccready rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not too impressed with this book at all. It's written almost like a fiction, its not like any other true crime book I've ever read and I'm not sure if thats a good thing or bad thing. I guess I'm glad I read it but I wouldnt be upset to never read it again.

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Jan 16, 2012 Georgeann rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this book years ago and still get the chills thinking about it. It's hard to put down and the true crime story it covers is very disturbing. I wouldn't re-read it in a thousand years, but it definitely made an impact on me.

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Jan 01, 2012 Dewayne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Read this book after seeing the movie several years ago. The true story told in the book/movie was unbelievably tragic, but this book was not an interesting read. The writing was awkward, lacking a flow, leaving me frustrated.

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Nov 23, 2009 Nicole Dellomo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely love this book & the movie. The book is exactly like the movie. The only difference is there's a little more detail in the book, which is expected, but the movie was great & followed the book perfectly.

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Dec 26, 2011 Robf rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

great book extremely to the point and grafic seen the movie. they bring a tear to my eye everytime. I know them all personally and 1 of them for a very long time. I wish this never happened...

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Nov 29, 2010 Joanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Incredibly well written and thoroughly detailed. I could not put this book down. It is one of the most heinous crimes I've read about, and was chillingly cold and calculating. Higly recommended.

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Apr 14, 2008 R to the -izzo rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this one after I saw the independent movie. Basically it is a true story about kids at a high school that end up beating their friend/bully to death and then leaving him on a Florida beach for crabs to devour. Great flick and great book. I gotta say that you could probably watch the independent and get the majority of the story. The only thing you would miss is the back story for each person (who was on the honor roll and who was on probation) as well as what happens when they finally get...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Amanda.w rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really couldn't put the book down. it was very well written. I'm not sure how I feel about the tragic event that happened to Bobby. It breaks my heart, regardless.

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Feb 06, 2010 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, it also was made into a movie. It really is scary how young kids can do such terrible things. The victim can often be the culprit. This book will have you thinking long after it's over.

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Jun 24, 2012 Stephanie Whittaker rated it 4 of 5 stars

scariest thing about this book is the kids thought nothing about what they did...just another night out.

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Aug 17, 2010 Shanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

This book was such an easy read. The fact that it happened and is just so absurd what these kids do make it simple to breeze through. The author's way of describing what goes on and what they may have said fits completely. Way better than the movie. The pictures inside the book also show the damage to the one that was murdered and descriptions. It also includes the mug shots of all the kids involved. Although at the end when it says what they ended up being charged with was inaccurate. The one k...more

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May 31, 2011 Kendal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a good book but knowing it was written based on true events is disconcerting.

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