Jeff Lindsay

Dearly Devoted Dexter

In Dearly Devoted Dexter, author Jeff Lindsay continues the darkly captivating story of Dexter Morgan, everyone's favorite serial killer next door. Lindsay delves deeper into the complex psyche of the forensic blood spatter analyst who channels his murderous urges toward eliminating only the "bad guys."

Just as in the first book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, the author crafts a gripping narrative arc, artfully revealing new aspects of the vigilante protagonist's past and personality. Dexter remains a compellingly enigmatic antihero as he struggles between fitting into normal society and satisfying his "Dark Passenger."

While the novel's pacing flags at times in the middle sections, Lindsay rewards the reader's patience with a tense, satisfying payoff in the climactic chapters. The narrative comes full circle to explain more about Dexter's shadowy foster father who trained him to be a meticulous killer.

Overall, Lindsay avoids the pitfall of many sequels by deepening both the central character and the overarching mythos. The author leaves plenty of narrative space to expand Dexter's world in future installments. While not quite reaching the savage wit and insightful commentary on human nature as its predecessor, Dearly Devoted Dexter nonetheless offers a deliciously sinister reading experience for Dexter devotees.

Liana

In Dearly Devoted Dexter, author Jeff Lindsay continues the darkly captivating story of Dexter Morgan, everyone's favorite serial killer next door. Lindsay delves deeper into the complex psyche of the forensic blood spatter analyst who channels his murderous urges toward eliminating only the "bad guys."

Just as in the first book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, the author crafts a gripping narrative arc, artfully revealing new aspects of the vigilante protagonist's past and personality. Dexter remains a compellingly enigmatic antihero as he struggles between fitting into normal society and satisfying his "Dark Passenger."

While the novel's pacing flags at times in the middle sections, Lindsay rewards the reader's patience with a tense, satisfying payoff in the climactic chapters. The narrative comes full circle to explain more about Dexter's shadowy foster father who trained him to be a meticulous killer.

Overall, Lindsay avoids the pitfall of many sequels by deepening both the central character and the overarching mythos. The author leaves plenty of narrative space to expand Dexter's world in future installments. While not quite reaching the savage wit and insightful commentary on human nature as its predecessor, Dearly Devoted Dexter nonetheless offers a deliciously sinister reading experience for Dexter devotees.

M. Marques

So wunderbar geschrieben, muss immer wieder kichern🥰

Leon

Briar's Reviews

Jeff Lindsay has an incredible series that has me hooked! I can't wait to pick up the next novel.

Dexter yet again is at his tricks, except this time he has to be the real hero. The change in plot was fantastic, focusing more on Dexter being a "good guy" than a "good bad guy". 

If anything, I felt this book was a little to long. It seemed like it could have ended a few chapters earlier, but it was still fantastic! I want the next book immediately!

Five out of five stars!

Jeffry P. Lindsay

Dexter Morgan, a secret assassin working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, finds his efforts to seek domestic tranquility undermined by a psychopath terrorizing the city.

A Novel

Colleen

3 Stars

*This review contains minor spoilers.*

The Dexter series are good in between reads. They are entertaining, short, and not as gory as one would expect from a serial killer. (There is still enough carnage that will disturb some people though.) They are great books for when I want to mix things up a bit. 

That being said, Dearly Devoted Dexter was not as exciting as Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Some of the novelty of the serial killer who works for the police and only kills bad guys element wore off. But mostly it was because the "polite wolf in sheep's clothing" spends a little too much time as a well-behaved sheep in this book, so the story lost most of its edge. Like many sequels, Dearly Devoted Dexter tussled with the effort of trying to live up to the first book while setting up for subsequent books. It certainly was not bad, but neither was it a page turner. There was a lot going on in this book, but at the same time, it did not feel like there was much meat to this story. 

The writing was still a little gimmicky with its the almost cartoonish characters, implausible plot, and excessive alliteration, but most of it was admittedly fun. Dexter's sardonic commentary and awkward situations due to his lack of social comprehension were still entertaining. Dearly Devoted Dexter also introduced some new threads that will be interesting to explore in the next books. While this series is not heavy hitting, they are great books for mixing things up, and I will definitely continue on with the series.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

Life’s tough for Dexter Morgan. It’s not easy being the world’s only serial killer with a conscience, especially when you work for the Miami police. To avoid suspicion, Dexter’s had to slip deep into his disguise: spending time with his girlfriend and her kids, slowly becoming the world’s first serial killing couch potato. Then a particularly nasty psychopath starts cutting a trail through Miami — a killer whose twisted techniques leave even Dexter speechless. When his sister Deborah, a tough-as-nails cop, is drawn into the case, it becomes clear that Dexter will have to do come out of hiding and hunt the monster down. Unless, of course, the killer finds him first. . . This edition includes an excerpt from Jeff Lindsay's Dexter's Final Cut.

Gillian Rose

I like that they're quick reads and kind of fun. But there was something very different from the show in this book and I'm kind of impressed they pulled that thread. Next book should be interesting.