Book: Dexter in the Dark

Author: Jeff Lindsay

Genre: Thriller/Serial Killer

Julia Rating: 10 (for humor)

Comments: Obviously I’m on a roll with the Dexter stories. Jeff Lindsay has a pattern – much like a serial killer does – of formatting his books. In the beginning, there is some commenting on Dexter or his dark passenger, next comes a killing, then on to the story. A compelling, interesting and predictable beginning. Predictable only if you have read the previous Dexter books, of course.

I am in a bit of a quandary about how to rate this book.  It was much funnier than the previous books – filled with dark humor – however it is also kind of fantastic – which bothered me a bit.  I was actually tempted to put “Fantasy” as a genre for this book.  Here’s the deal, Dexter has a “dark passenger” riding along in the back seat of his mind all the time.  This passenger is what tells him to kill. One day, his passenger gets scared and disappears.  Dexter has to find out why and how… finally asking himself “What is my dark passenger – where did he come from?”  The answer to these questions is located in the realm of fantasy.

Adding to Dexter’s disquiet – he is getting married and becoming a stepfather and mentor to his fiancee’s two children – one of whom carries a dark secret of his own.  To boot, he’s starting to dream and sleepwalk – both firsts for Dexter.

Dexter’s sister, Deborah, is less involved in this one – though she appears once in a while just to shake things up – and there are two surprise appearances of Sergeant Dokes, but as the old characters are featured less, Dexter’s new stepchildren are featured more.

Author: Jeff Lindsay

Genre: Thriller/Serial Killer

Julia Rating: 10

Comments:
As you may be able to tell, I am a Dexter fan.  I’ve started to read the series in spite of the fact that I am not usually a series reader. 

 In Dearly Devoted Dexter, Dexter has a problem.  His arch nemesis, Sergeant Dokes, is cramping Dexter’s style by following him constantly.  This stops our favorite serial killer from doing what he does best… finding that special someone to play with on a bright, moonlit night.  The situation is intolerable, unbearable even, and like all things in this universe, it must come to an end. 

Along comes a serial… dismemberer, who leaves his victims very much alive after doing some terrible things to them.  Dexter is disapproving, but intrigued.  What would drive a person to do such a thing?  And, how is this going to get Sergeant Dokes off his back so he can have some real fun?

Dearly Devoted Dexter is another masterpiece by Jeff Lindsay.  I can see why it got turned into a TV Series - Jeff Lindsay is brilliant at creating Dexter, our favorite “inhuman monster” as he liked to call himself.  Yet, Dexter is not a monster.  He turns out to be very human, and very helpful to his poor dear sister, Deborah. 

I recommend this book to anyone who likes murder mystery, the TV show and anyone who enjoys a good read, but isn’t extremely squeamish (the book is about dismemberment after all).

Author: Jeff Lindsay

Genre: Thriller/Serial Killer

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a fantastic book about your friendly, neighborhood serial killer, Dexter Morgan. Dexter is no ordinary serial killer. Instead of being a frightening ghoul who haunts and ultimately kills innocent victims, he will only “play” with other serial killers. In this way, he is really doing the Miami police department a favor.

A blood spatter analyst in the Miami police department, he is uniquely positioned to meet new friends to “play” with, and has even helped the detectives of the police department catch some killers. So, when a unique serial killer with a style reminiscent of Dexter’s (but to Dexter’s mind, more artistic) comes along and Dexter’s foster sister (Deborah) asks him to help her solve the case, Dexter is torn. Should he help his little sister make detective, or should he find this other serial killer and play with him on his own terms?

One of the great things about this book is that the main character is a “bad guy” and yet, you like him anyway. Also, Jeff Lindsay has a great sense of humor and fun – using a lot of word play in his book. I think anyone who reads this book will enjoy it… unless they get queasy easily… then you shouldn’t be reading books about serial killers, period.

As an aside, the TV show based on this book – called Dexter, is fantastic. Dexter is played by Michael C. Hall, who I am a huge fan of. Mr. Hall’s acting is brilliant in everything I’ve seen him in, and in Dexter he is dead on (pun intended). He reminds me of Wednesday’s (of the Addam’s Family) deadpan description of a homicidal maniac (“They look just like everyone else”).