Darkly Dreaming Dexter
by Jeff Lindsay
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Book Reviews of Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Book Review: Sibling Rivalries
Summary: 4 Stars
THE DEXTER SERIES
"Darkly Dreaming Dexter" is the first in the Dexter series. Dexter is a CSI (specifically, a blood-spatter analyst) for the Miami-Dade police department by day, while his "dark passenger" is a serial killer (but only of serious bad guys) by night. He isn't really schizophrenic since he is perfectly aware of his dark side.
THE PLOT
In "Darkly Dreaming Dexter", Dexter begins with the mutilation murder of Father Donovan, a Priest who has been mutilation murdering small children in his care. Lindsay uses such short action introductions in place of the loathsome "introductory flashback" (or -"ahead") which has become standard in popular fiction. As used by Lindsay, these serve the purpose, but are also an eloquent introduction to Dexter.
The real story begins with the discovery of the bloodless dissected/disarticulated corpse of a prostitute, on a section of SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho) where Dexter's foster sister Debra is working vice, dressed as a prostitute. Debra desperately wants out of the vice squad into the detective department.
As the story develops, similarities between Dexter's methods and the killer's methods become more evident. Moreover, Dexter has "visions" of what the killer is doing, and the killer seems to know what Dexter is doing. Dexter begins to worry that he himself may be the killer, "sleep killing".
THE VERDICT
Dexter is an intriguing character. The plot is well paced, and captivating.
Book Review: What a Twist, the Serial Killer is the Good Guy
Summary: 5 Stars
Dexter is a is a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Dade Police Department, with a knack for profiling killers. He is neat, organized, handsome and witty. His adoptive father Harry (also a Miami cop) died a while ago, however before his passing he recognized that Dexter was different and encouraged him to be neat and tidy with his victims. I say victims because Dexter is a sociopath serial killer who chooses his victims with care, only those who deserve it and there are plenty enough of those, from the nurse tending to a dying Harry, to a molesting priest. Dexter has a certain flair, a certain style to the way he dismembers his victims.
So when a second serial killer makes an appearance in Miami, Dexter is intrigued by the perpetrator's style - so reminiscent of his own. When he arrives home one evening, he senses someone has been there. In the kitchen he finds a Barbie doll's head attached to the refrigerator, and the rest of the doll's body parts in the freezer and Dexter wonders if the killer is trying to tell him something. And he also wonders if maybe he's crazy, if maybe he is the second killer and is killing without knowing it.
Did I forget to mention that Dex is the good guy? I guess I did. He's likable, logical and unforgettable as is this story. I picked up "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" without knowing what I was in for. I'm glad I did. Mr. Lindsay is a major new talent, one I trust will be around for a long, long time. You won't go wrong with this one.
Book Review: Mixed feelings about this book
Summary: 2 Stars
The writing is very good. Jeff Lindsay has an unmatched knack for alliteration and the words seemed to flow with a smoothness unmatched by most author. At times it is almost like reading poetry. But the subject matter is very disturbing. Dexter is described as a serial killer with a conscience because he only kill other serial killers. And in this book he is after a killer who is murdering local prostitutes.
I hate reading about innocent people getting hurt especially women and this book has plenty of it. And the killer leaves the bodies of his victims cut up and posed for Dexter to find which in and of itself is very disturbing. But even worse Dexter begins to view the savage murder displays as some sort of art. And begins to feel a very strong empathy for the killer. It was sickening to hear him describe savage murder scenes as beautiful and right. And the killings were horrible. You meet a few of the victims before they are killed and get to see their terror. And later see their dismembered bodies posed in childish displays for Dex.
Plus the ending was very confusing. I was unsure if Brian got away. Or if Dex had gone completely insane and killed Deb.
I saw the TV show once and liked it so I picked up the book but it was much darker than I expected. This is the sort of book that puts bad thoughts in your head. The only positive I can say about this book is that Jeff Lindsay's writing is superb if very dark.
Book Review: love the show? then you must....
Summary: 4 Stars
read the books:).
As someone who religiously watched the Showtime series and recently found out that it's based on a series of books (and am an avid reader as well) I bought Darkly Dreaming Dexter (the first book) and Dearly Devoted Dexter (the second book) and my husband and I read them back to back. We both loved them.
While there are minor differences between series and books I found the differences well done. Lindsey's writing style is so darkly comedic that you'll find yourself unabashedly laughing at Dexter's brand of fun-murder and mayhem.
The whole premise of Dexter being recognized early on and "mentored" to channel the lust to kill into something good (getting rid of other serial killers) is a fresh and novel approach and works as well in print as on film.
The only thing that kept me from giving a 5 star review was the author's habit of constantly having Dexter repeating that he is without human emotion. I think that time would be better spent by either Having Dexter flashback to memories with Harry, his foster father or more Dexter mayhem:)
If you love the series you should definitely read this novel, if not the others (though I feel this one is better written than the second). If you are new to Dexter the TV show and considering catching Season 2, than pick up the book to know what you are getting into:)
4.5 stars!
Book Review: Good, but could have been better!
Summary: 3 Stars
Now, I might be biased since I got hooked on the show first and then decided to read the book, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I can see why they would want to make a show based on the book, the premise is interesting and new and the story kept my attention, but the whole time I was reading it I was thinking the changes they made for the show was much better. The story is about a blood spatter analyst who is also a serial killer, but follows a code of only killing murderers. He becomes intrigued by a killer who starts leaving wrapped, bloodless body parts, seemingly to get Dexter's attention. As far as the book is concerned it was alright, but definitely didn't leave me wanting to read the rest in the series, but I probably will just to compare them to the show and to see how the series was originally intended. As far as comparing the book with the show, I kept thinking "I wonder if Jeff Lindsay watched the show and was thinking, 'I wish I had thought of that!!' " I think the show is much more creative (having Deb date the Ice Truck Killer!) and the characters were much more likable and relatable, where as in the book I never really connected with any of the characters, especially Dexter. All in all, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book, unless a friend wanted to compare it to the show.