- Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter Series)

Loved it

If you're like me, you probably decided to give this a book a read because you're a fan of the Showtime television series. I'll start my review there ...As some other reviewers have pointed out, this book is both similiar to but quite different than the show. This is not inherently a bad thing. The first half of this book pretty closely follows the show; the method of murder for the "Ice Truck Killer" is the same, all the same supporting characters are there, described, more or less, as they appear in the accompanying TV series, and various scenes are replicated for the series ... but once you reach about the final quarter of the novel, things diverge almost entirely from there to the point that saying anything about it would ruin some of the book's plot.Ignoring the TV series' existence, this book is not too bad. When I started reading, the first-person narration, lack of detail or definitive scene setting, and altogether creepiness of Dexter's personality somewhat threw me, but ultimately, the pervasive use of dark humor, mystery, and subversive nature of Dexter's Dark Passenger drew me in and kept me reading. To that end, the author has a fairly captivating style of narration; it's easy to read, at times somewhat funny, but also occasionally philosophical.However, for me, things somewhat fell apart as the book reached the climax, and were all but ruined by the book's ending ... I won't reveal details here, but the author unfortunately kind of rushes through the ending to the point where it's just ... kind of over. There's an epilogue, but it manages to raise more questions than it answers. I'm aware that there are another 6 books in this series, but this doesn't excuse ANY author from a weak, vague, and somewhat confusing ending.---For those who may be wondering: which is better, the TV series or the book? Again, this is coming from someone who saw the TV show first, read the book second (and this may make my opinion tainted), but I'd have to say the TV show is better. Referencing ONLY the first season of "Dexter" (which is the only one based on the book series, specifically, this one), the show generally does a better job of setting up the nature of the mysterious Ice Truck Killer. There's a dynamic involving the Ice Truck Killer in the book that is an interesting angle for the book to take, but ultimately is less satisfying than the one the TV show uses. Further, the characters, including Dexter, are portrayed and developed a lot better in the show; in the book, only Dexter seems to have any appreciable personality, and that's ironic given he's a sociopath (perhaps that too is a bit of dark humor?). Perhaps it's an inherent problem with a book about a sociopathic killer being writtenin the first person, but everyone around Dexter could be cardboard cut-outs, for as well as their characters are portrayed. Finally, as I mentioned above, the ending to this book is pretty vague and ulimately is not as satisfying as the way "Dexter" wrapped it up.Overall, I would have given this book 3 stars, but the quality of the first half and the enthralling nature of the author's writing, combined with a genuine mystery at it's heart, pushes my rating just over the line to 4 stars. Would I recommend this book? Maybe ... Will I read the rest of the books? I'm just not sure at this point, especially based upon a review I saw for book #3 ...

The media could not be loaded. Love the show so I thought might as well get the books to read aswell. I found the cheaper option of a paperback that was used, so I dont mind the condition of this book much. The front cover was taped because of damage I assume, and only a few pages were bent/damaged. Excited to read.

I really enjoyed this first book of the series. So far, I have gone through half of the book series and this is the best offering in terms of plot and how well it is written. The witty remarks of Dexter in the first-person perspective are fantastic and clever and lighten the mood throughout the duration of the story. I do think the TV show's adaption is superior for a few reasons, and this first book is the only one used by the show. My primary gripe against the book version is the rather spiritual aspect of Dexter's condition and the Dark Passenger as opposed to a purely psychological one. I echoed these thoughts to greater effect in my thoughts of book 3, and they are still mild in the first installment, but I feel it detracts from Dexter's state and lessens the accuracy and reality of what he is. Outside of my personal preferences on this matter, I did not want it to end because I appreciated the plot, writing, pace, and perspective so much. Five stars for a well-developed character and story that inspired an also-great show.

In "Darkly Dream Dexter" author Jeff Lindsay introduces us to the protagonist Dexter Morgan, a police criminologist working in Miami. More specifically, he's a blood splatter analyst who just happens to be revolted by blood because of the mess that it makes. Oh, and he's also a lifetime serial killer who lives by a code that only allows him to target other criminals. Some complex guy, this Dexter Morgan, eh?As the story unfolds, the reader finds that Dexter himself is the main attraction here instead of the sometimes-flimsy storyline. He's no avenging vigilante fueled by outrage for a criminal justice system that too often moves too slowly. Rather, he's relatively blase about what he is - ho hum, this is the hand that I was dealt so I'll just have to go with it. He's completely self-aware that he's not at all like other people, so he cloaks much of his sharp mind behind a well-polished role as the glib and charming yet completely harmless, boring guy next door. This also opens up Dexter's vulnerability with other people - since he doesn't see himself as one, he doesn't have any idea why they act the way that they do. The best he can do is mimic how they act and react to one another; he's long ago given up on understanding the motivations of the normal people who surround him every day. This creates some5b4funny fish-out-of-water passages in Dexter's own head, particularly the up-and-down romance with his girlfriend (whom he keeps around purely as part of the "normal guy" act). His first-person observations on the people around him are smarmy and incisive, a clever ploy by the author to inject content that's somewhere between social commentary and stand-up comedy (an example: "I swear, the way people drive in this town. . . how could they expect me NOT to continue killing them?"). Dexter is definitely darkly funny as he maintains his disguise as an everyday citizen, and his dialogue and commentary is the centerpiece of the book - he's ready-made for a series.The story and the supporting cast are a little disappointing by comparison. Dexter assists his adopted sister (who is also a cop) in the investigation of a series of murders that seem to be mimicking Dexter's own secret methods. He becomes torn between intrigue and terror at the way that this other perpetrator is almost calling out to him with each new crime. Would he rather help his sister solve the case that would make her career or find for himself a kindred spirit who shares a similar "Dark Passenger"? Or is he possibly being set up - lured out of his routine just enough to be framed for all of these copycat crimes? Eventually, the story gives up a little too much too soon and the end becomes equal parts predictable and incredible.5b4Also, the reader will find it difficult to care much about the other characters, especially the erratic sister who clearly is meant to play a big role in Dexter's life. This may have happened because Lindsay purposefully wrote the actions of others through Dexter's interpretations, making them strange and distant. More likely, I think he just had so much fun writing as Dexter that the other characters became necessary afterthoughts.Part Hannibal Lecter part Monk with a silver tongue that Alan Shore would envy, Dexter Morgan makes for some entertaining reading. Hopefully future installments will see him bring his sharp wit to some better plots.