Jeffry P. Lindsay

a novel

Darkly dreaming Dexter

Jeff Lindsay

Introducing Dexter Morgan, a serial killer to fall in love with... 'A macabre tour-de-force' NEW YORK TIMES Dexter Morgan isn't exactly the kind of man you'd bring home to your mum. At heart, he's the perfect gentleman: he has a shy girlfriend, and seems to lead a quiet, normal life bordering on the mundane. Despite the fact that he can't stand the sight of blood, he works as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police. But Dexter also has a secret hobby: he is an accomplished serial killer. So far, he's killed 36 people and has never been caught because he knows exactly how to hide the evidence. And while that may lead some people to assume he's not such a nice guy, he tempers his insatiable hunger for brutality by only killing the bad guys. However, Dexter's well-organised life is suddenly disrupted when a second, much more visible serial killer appears in Miami. Intrigued that the other killer favours a style similar to his own, Dexter soon realises that the mysterious new arrival is not simply invading his turf but offering him a direct invitation to 'come out and play'...

Book One

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Jeff Lindsay delves deep into the twisted yet captivating psyche of Dexter Morgan in Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Dexter's macabre narrative voice lends pitch-black humor to his recollections of past kills and the development of his "dark passenger" - the murderous instinct he keeps carefully compartmentalized. We gain insight into his early years under the wing of his adopted father, Harry, who recognized Dexter's sociopathic tendencies and codified the vigilante moral code that Dexter lives by: only kill those who deserve it. 

Dexter relives his first timid killings, then describes his growing confidence and the sharpening of his lethal skills over time. The result is a swift, engaging character study that manages to humanize a ruthless serial killer. Lindsay's prose brims with dexterous wit and wry observations as we experience firsthand Dexter's complex justifications, fond memories, and penchant for vengeance against those who prey on the innocent. A razor-sharp, blood-spattered read that pioneers the "serial killer with a conscience" genre.

Liana

Jeff Lindsay delves deep into the twisted yet captivating psyche of Dexter Morgan in Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Dexter's macabre narrative voice lends pitch-black humor to his recollections of past kills and the development of his "dark passenger" - the murderous instinct he keeps carefully compartmentalized. We gain insight into his early years under the wing of his adopted father, Harry, who recognized Dexter's sociopathic tendencies and codified the vigilante moral code that Dexter lives by: only kill those who deserve it. 

Dexter relives his first timid killings, then describes his growing confidence and the sharpening of his lethal skills over time. The result is a swift, engaging character study that manages to humanize a ruthless serial killer. Lindsay's prose brims with dexterous wit and wry observations as we experience firsthand Dexter's complex justifications, fond memories, and penchant for vengeance against those who prey on the innocent. A razor-sharp, blood-spattered read that pioneers the "serial killer with a conscience" genre.

Sehr packender Schreibstil, ein ganz wilder Charakter und ein interessantes Ende. Hat mir wirklich Spaß gemacht zu lesen🧚‍♀️ 

Leon

Briar's Reviews

Anyone who was a fan of the Dexter series, Bones, CSI or NCIS should pick up this novel!

Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a fun, sarcastic crime novel. Instead of following a detective, this novel follows a serial killer, who is trying to catch another serial killer!

I decided to read this book after I watched some of the Dexter television series. Anyone who has watched the series, should know the first book is the first season of the show. The two are almost identical, minus a few changes to make the television show more showbiz worthy. 

Dexter Morgan is a serial killer who is out of touch with people. He is awkward, very smart and is a bit naive with women. He has killed over dozens of people, and somebody seems to know he was doing it. This person leaves clues for him all over the city in his deaths, that Dexter has to investigate since he works for the Miami Police as a forensic officer. Dexter has never been caught, yet he seems to be getting a bit sloppy once he knows somebody has their eyes on him...

Chaos ensues when Dexter's mysterious background is figured out. Dexter can barely remember his own pats, but when he finds out the result is shocking!

I loved this novel. The entire book is filled with alliterations and lots of sarcasm. On top of the typical murder story, seeing the book in the eyes of a serial killer gives it a bit of charm!

Five out of five stars!

Colleen

I first starting watching the Dexter tv series on the recommendation of a friend. A few episodes in, I noticed that it was based on a book and decided to check it out. 

Darkly Dreaming Dexter was an entertaining, quick, easy read. The main character, Dexter is a "polite wolf in sheep's clothing." The contrast of a serial killer who only kills bad guys and works for the police department was unique. It was refreshing to read something different when so many contemporary novels are repetitive and feature the same type of characters going through the same type of plots. Many novels about serial killers focus so much on the morbid and psychotic, but despite featuring lots of chopped up bodies, this book really was not that gory. Dexter's mordant wit and sardonic social commentary were amusing throughout the book. All of this was set to the background of Miami flair. My only complaint is that the last chapter felt a little rushed.

I really wish I had read the book before watching the tv series though, because I already knew what the big twist was.

The Basis for a New Showtime® Original Series Starring Michael C. Hall Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened–of himself or some other fiend. This edition includes an excerpt from Jeff Lindsay's Dexter's Final Cut.

Gillian Rose

3.5 stars

I've watched the first two seasons of the show and it is very similar. I found it to be a quick read and will read the rest. He's an interesting character.

Nichole Bogard

I absolutely love the tv show Dexter. So, when I found out there was book series the book nerd in me screamed gleefully. I am a true crime/serial killer junkie, and this book was a magical dream. Reading book from the mind of serial killer was a refreshing take on the story.

Dexter is truly darkly and dreaming. Although you know you shouldn't love him because let's face it, he is a serial killer, your brain rationalizes that fact that he uses his darkest fantasy to rid the world of the scum of the earth. We all love a good villain and in a lot of ways that is exactly what he is.

Sian Wadey

I had watched the Dexter TV series before I read any of the books, so I went in with a preconceived notion of the characters, and I already knew the ending. It didn't stop me from enjoying Jeff Lindsay's writing. 
For those unfamiliar, Dexter Dreaming Darkly follows the murderous blood splatter analyst as he dishes out his own punishment to those that have slipped through the cracks. Seeing the world through Dexter's eyes is brilliant. If Dexter was a real person he would certainly have some kind of psychological or behavioural condition but thankfully the author doesn't play on this, he is just Dexter and everything he does seems unfathomably reasonable. 
All of the characters were interesting and unique. I particularly liked his foul-mouthed sister Deb. I also think it should be mentioned that the people who cast the TV show did a great job, especially with Dexter's colleague Vince and his boss LaGuerta. 
I also liked the way Lindsay described Miami, almost like it was a character. He brought the city alive in full vivid technicolour!
Overall a brilliant twist on the murder mystery that zipped along nicely. I can't wait to read the next one!

I liked the book. It had some good twists and turns that were unexpected. Well written and I loved the story line.

Greg Higgins

Sunyi Dean

I read this in about three hours (what can I say, I'm fast and already know the plot, having seen the show.)

It certainly fascinating and enjoyable, and the dialogue fantastic, but I'm spoiled a bit from the show, which I think had tighter plotting and a better arc. 

Yes, I'm going to commit that cardinal sin--and admit I preferred the show to the original novel. Hang me for my crimes!

I just want to start off by saying that I haven't seen the show. I tried watching it, actually, and something about Dexter gives me too much of the creeps. So this isn't tainted by "the show did xyz."

Is it a bad book? No, it actually has some laughter moments from dark humor that just found hard to contain. The problem is that the novelty is short lived, and kind of weird in the middle. Dexter doesn't feel human, yet he looks human. He's been given a shot at doing "good" from his horrible impulses by being taught how to murder people effectively and without a trace, making a point to kill the bad guys.

What I liked at first was his brutally honest and sarcastic inner voice. He isn't someone trying to be a sociopath; he's a full on psycho. I didn't like how he's characterized with emotions and relationships. You're telling me that 1. He's never had sexual urges and 2. He's never had relationships or interest from other women, even though describing him as being openly flirty and handsome. I don't buy it. I think a pivotal plot point is based on these assumptions and it's paper thin. His monologue gets a little tiring after a while. We get it, you're different and you don't want to be a human.

The plot moved pretty slow for a 250 some page book. It was first fast, then standstill for the majority, and ended fast. I can see why this lended itself so well to a show, as the monologues probably fit right in with showing us action, which the book fails to do several times. I didn't realize he and his "girlfriend" slept together without a lot of brainwork. It also didn't fit what Rita was characterized as, which was disappointing. 

Overall, not a bad book. I have more in the series that I want to read. I just wish Lindsay had put a bit more emphasis on showing me what happened instead of telling me.

Darkly dreaming Dexter a novel

Reviews