Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Published in 2004
What they say:
From Barnes and Noble
Synopsis
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.“It’s been years since there’s been a thriller as original as this one by Lindsay, who takes a tired subgenre—the serial-killer novel—and makes it as fresh as dawn.
Lindsay’s premise alone is worthy: narrator Dexter Morgan, a blood-spatter specialist for the Miami cops, is also a serial killer . . . What makes this novel zing is the narration—humorous, self-deprecating, smart and sometimes lyrical, it’s a macabre fun ride . . . A gripping, deliciously offbeat novel that announces the arrival of a notable new talent.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“After finishing this novel, readers will have only one thing to say: Wow! Dexter, a likable fellow on the surface, firmly in touch with his own inhumanity, is one of the genre’s most original, compelling characters to appear in years. He makes a fascinating narrator, appealing, articulate, and ghoulish all at the same time. Long after readers finish this gripping novel, they will still be thinking (or dreaming) about Dexter.”—Booklist (starred review)
What I say: Dexter is a mass of contradictions. Even though he's a serial killer, you have a hard time hating him. He should be a monster, someone easy to loath but as I read the book, I oftentimes found myself rooting for him.
I suppose you would have to have a dark mind to be able to write a likeable serial killer. I've never seen Lindsay give an interview so I don't know. To top it off, Lindsay's characters are funny. It's just another contradiction of the story being able to find humor in the midst of blood.
Something else I find odd about Dexter is that the Showtime series is just as good as the books. If you've never seen it, watch it. If you've never read the books, hit your library. Both are worth your time.
I have enjoyed the series so far--at least what I've read of it. I haven't read the most recent one yet. One thing I noticed about Lindsay is that just when I start too feel a little too comfortable with Dexter, Dexter does something that reminds me just who and what he is. It's a reality check of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen the first episode of Dexter--and it was a shoddy copy at that. Someday I may be able to get my hands of the DVD set to see the entire first season for myself.
dexter the tv show is one of my absolute favorites. the first book of the series is on my christmas wish list. i'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it. if i don't get it as a gift, i will certainly be buying myself a copy!
ReplyDeleteLF~~I'm anxiously awaiting the second book. I have 6 books ahead of it waiting to TBR sitting here next to me. As for the series, maybe it's easier for me to like because I had watched the first 4 or 5 episodes before reading the book. It's not very often that I say that I like a movie, or in this case a tv series, as well as the book,but I LOVE Dexter on Showtime.
ReplyDeleteJacki~~I hope you get the book for Christmas. It was a fun read. Not very Christmas-y though, lol.