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Dexter #3
Dexter in the Dark
In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds...particulary because, on occasion, he rather enjoys committing them himself. Guided by his dark Passenger - the voice inside him that helps stalk his prey - he lives his outwardly normal life adhering to one simple rule: he only kills very bad people.
Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancee raise her two adorable (if somewhat...unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But everthing changes when Dexter is called to a gruesome double homicide. Dex realizes he's dealing with someone a whole lot more sinister than he is and it sends the Dark Passenger into hiding. And when something scares your friendly neighborhood serial killer, you know it's serious...
More used to inspiring fear then experiencing it, Dex must investigate, while simultaneously coping with his demanding family. If he's to save himself, and those around him, Dexter must pose questions he's never dared ask - where does evil come from, and does it hide inside everyone...?
Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancee raise her two adorable (if somewhat...unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But everthing changes when Dexter is called to a gruesome double homicide. Dex realizes he's dealing with someone a whole lot more sinister than he is and it sends the Dark Passenger into hiding. And when something scares your friendly neighborhood serial killer, you know it's serious...
More used to inspiring fear then experiencing it, Dex must investigate, while simultaneously coping with his demanding family. If he's to save himself, and those around him, Dexter must pose questions he's never dared ask - where does evil come from, and does it hide inside everyone...?
307 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Jeff Lindsay
70 books3,964 followersJeff Lindsay lives in Florida with his wife, author Hilary Hemingway, daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,222 reviews
July 13, 2021
(B) 73% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: Its reliably fun comic relief has nothing to play against, as the book's supernatural turn negates the series' gritty feel.
Notes: Its reliably fun comic relief has nothing to play against, as the book's supernatural turn negates the series' gritty feel.
October 1, 2007
Disappointingly mystical. In attempting to "explain" Dexter, Lindsay has robbed him of much of his appeal. Anne Rice tried this in Queen of the Damned, to much the same effect: Dexter's unique talents, like Lestat's, were better left a mystery.
January 16, 2019
Far above the aimless scurrying of the city IT watched, and IT waited. There was plenty to see, as always, and IT was in no hurry. IT had done this many time before, and would do so again, endlessly and forever. That was what IT was for. Right now there were so many different choices to consider, and no reason to do anything but consider them until the right one was clear. And then IT would start again, gather the faithful, give them their bright miracle, and IT would feel once more the wonder and joy and swelling rightness of their pain.
All that would come again. It was just a matter of waiting for the right moment.
And IT had all the time in the world.
Michael C. Hall plays Dexter
Jeff Lindsay really put a lot of noses out of joint with this one. He has fans of the show and fans of the previous two books to please and this one just hit a jarring note with a lot of people.
It is similar to being strapped to a board with duct tape and you open your eyes to find there is a menacing serial killer standing over you with a bloody scalpel. You make the connection that it is your blood on that scalpel.
You pass out.
You come back to consciousness when he starts slicing and dicing...oh so lovingly...your inner thigh.
You scream.
You negotiate.
He laughs, soaking up your terror like an extra large roll of Downy paper towels, and then before he really starts going to work on removing some appendages or organs he just lets you go. You feel relief as you stumble down the middle of a four lane road in Miami dripping blood hoping someone will stop before you become a hood ornament on a Kenworth supercab. Then you get mad thinking isn’t my body good enough for even a damn serial killer. What the f**k is wrong with me? Didn’t I scream loud enough? Didn’t my blood spurt as well as the next guy?
You feel oddly let down.
The interesting aspect of Dexter Morgan’s character is that he is a regular run of the mill serial killer with a code of ethics that was instilled in him by his cop stepfather Harry. Now those codes that have been instilled in young Dexter are also the same codes that keep average people like me or you from being strapped to a board feeling Dexter joyfully dismembering the fine temple we’ve spent so much time sculpting. In this third installment Lindsay chose to instill a supernatural element to the life and times of Dexter Morgan. Readers were upset, with feelings ranging from betrayal to outrage. They don’t want to believe that something netherworld evil might be controlling Dexter. They want to believe that Dexter is just well Dexter, a really nasty serial killer that has a code that allows us all to feel reassured that he is only killing really bad people, so it isn’t sick and disgusting that we are rooting for him.
I was fortunate enough to have Jeff Lindsay sign my run of Dexter books.
Well Dexter has a shadow that he calls the DARK PASSENGER. For the first time in his life this constant companion, this trusted advisor, disappears leaving him feeling empty like a body without a soul. He is having disturbing dreams for the first time in his life.
”No, this was my subconscious. If it was crying out in pain at the threat of abandonment, I knew exactly what it feared losing: the Dark Passenger. My bosom buddy, my constant companion on my journey through life’s sorrows and sharp pleasures. That was the fear behind the dream: losing the thing that had been so very much a part of me, and actually defined me, for my whole life.”
In the midst of a new case with bodies burned and their heads lopped off and replaced with ceramic bull heads Dexter encounters something dark and dangerous, something so creepy that the Dark Passenger scurries away leaving Dexter feeling exposed and weak and very human.
”Dashing Dexter does not know the meaning of fear. That would have to mean that the roaring thump of my heart, the parching of my mouth, and the sweat pouring out of my hands was no more than massive uneasiness.
I did not enjoy the feeling. I was no longer the Knight of the Knife. My blade and my armor were in some subbasement of the castle, and I was on the field of battle without them, a suddenly soft and tasty victim, and for no reason I could name I was sure that something had my scent in its ravening nostrils.”
King Solomon killed his brother because he had something DARK inside him.
Dexter is also in the middle of wedding plans, all part of his overall scheme to appear normal. The children of his bride, Cody and Astor are far from normal kids. In fact they too have shadows that drive them to want to inflict pain. He feels pressured to teach them the code of Harry, but like all kids they are impatient to skip the work and get to the fun. Dexter, without the reassuring presence of his Dark Passenger feels his life unraveling. He becomes the main focus of something known as IT, something that was around in the days of Solomon, something so powerful so fear inspiring that Dexter finds himself being controlled and helpless to escape.
Hopefully in the fourth Dexter Morgan book Lindsay will choose to get back to the regular “mortal” adventures of our favorite serial killer. I was not as bothered by the supernatural elements as much as other readers were because I feel that any perception made by a human being can seem supernatural. The whole idea of Voodoo is that it only works if people believe that it can. I think the same idea can be applied to the cult of Moloch that wrecks so much havoc on poor Dexter in this novel.
The Cult of Moloch or MLK.
I’ll end this review with a bit of Florida environmental commentary that Lindsay slips into the novel.
”The island we headed for was one of the smaller ones. Half of a forty-foot sports fisherman lay on the beach at a crazy angle, and the pine trees inland of the beach were hung with chunks of Styrofoam, tattered cloth, and wispy shreds of plastic sheeting and garbage bags. Other than that, it was just the way the Native Americans had left it, a peaceful little chunk of land covered with Australian pines, condoms, and beer cans.”
All that would come again. It was just a matter of waiting for the right moment.
And IT had all the time in the world.
Michael C. Hall plays Dexter
Jeff Lindsay really put a lot of noses out of joint with this one. He has fans of the show and fans of the previous two books to please and this one just hit a jarring note with a lot of people.
It is similar to being strapped to a board with duct tape and you open your eyes to find there is a menacing serial killer standing over you with a bloody scalpel. You make the connection that it is your blood on that scalpel.
You pass out.
You come back to consciousness when he starts slicing and dicing...oh so lovingly...your inner thigh.
You scream.
You negotiate.
He laughs, soaking up your terror like an extra large roll of Downy paper towels, and then before he really starts going to work on removing some appendages or organs he just lets you go. You feel relief as you stumble down the middle of a four lane road in Miami dripping blood hoping someone will stop before you become a hood ornament on a Kenworth supercab. Then you get mad thinking isn’t my body good enough for even a damn serial killer. What the f**k is wrong with me? Didn’t I scream loud enough? Didn’t my blood spurt as well as the next guy?
You feel oddly let down.
The interesting aspect of Dexter Morgan’s character is that he is a regular run of the mill serial killer with a code of ethics that was instilled in him by his cop stepfather Harry. Now those codes that have been instilled in young Dexter are also the same codes that keep average people like me or you from being strapped to a board feeling Dexter joyfully dismembering the fine temple we’ve spent so much time sculpting. In this third installment Lindsay chose to instill a supernatural element to the life and times of Dexter Morgan. Readers were upset, with feelings ranging from betrayal to outrage. They don’t want to believe that something netherworld evil might be controlling Dexter. They want to believe that Dexter is just well Dexter, a really nasty serial killer that has a code that allows us all to feel reassured that he is only killing really bad people, so it isn’t sick and disgusting that we are rooting for him.
I was fortunate enough to have Jeff Lindsay sign my run of Dexter books.
Well Dexter has a shadow that he calls the DARK PASSENGER. For the first time in his life this constant companion, this trusted advisor, disappears leaving him feeling empty like a body without a soul. He is having disturbing dreams for the first time in his life.
”No, this was my subconscious. If it was crying out in pain at the threat of abandonment, I knew exactly what it feared losing: the Dark Passenger. My bosom buddy, my constant companion on my journey through life’s sorrows and sharp pleasures. That was the fear behind the dream: losing the thing that had been so very much a part of me, and actually defined me, for my whole life.”
In the midst of a new case with bodies burned and their heads lopped off and replaced with ceramic bull heads Dexter encounters something dark and dangerous, something so creepy that the Dark Passenger scurries away leaving Dexter feeling exposed and weak and very human.
”Dashing Dexter does not know the meaning of fear. That would have to mean that the roaring thump of my heart, the parching of my mouth, and the sweat pouring out of my hands was no more than massive uneasiness.
I did not enjoy the feeling. I was no longer the Knight of the Knife. My blade and my armor were in some subbasement of the castle, and I was on the field of battle without them, a suddenly soft and tasty victim, and for no reason I could name I was sure that something had my scent in its ravening nostrils.”
King Solomon killed his brother because he had something DARK inside him.
Dexter is also in the middle of wedding plans, all part of his overall scheme to appear normal. The children of his bride, Cody and Astor are far from normal kids. In fact they too have shadows that drive them to want to inflict pain. He feels pressured to teach them the code of Harry, but like all kids they are impatient to skip the work and get to the fun. Dexter, without the reassuring presence of his Dark Passenger feels his life unraveling. He becomes the main focus of something known as IT, something that was around in the days of Solomon, something so powerful so fear inspiring that Dexter finds himself being controlled and helpless to escape.
Hopefully in the fourth Dexter Morgan book Lindsay will choose to get back to the regular “mortal” adventures of our favorite serial killer. I was not as bothered by the supernatural elements as much as other readers were because I feel that any perception made by a human being can seem supernatural. The whole idea of Voodoo is that it only works if people believe that it can. I think the same idea can be applied to the cult of Moloch that wrecks so much havoc on poor Dexter in this novel.
The Cult of Moloch or MLK.
I’ll end this review with a bit of Florida environmental commentary that Lindsay slips into the novel.
”The island we headed for was one of the smaller ones. Half of a forty-foot sports fisherman lay on the beach at a crazy angle, and the pine trees inland of the beach were hung with chunks of Styrofoam, tattered cloth, and wispy shreds of plastic sheeting and garbage bags. Other than that, it was just the way the Native Americans had left it, a peaceful little chunk of land covered with Australian pines, condoms, and beer cans.”
May 13, 2021
Dexter in the Dark (Dexter, #3), Jeff Lindsay
This is the third book in the Dexter series, Dexter Morgan investigates a double homicide at the University of Miami campus, where two female students have been found burned and beheaded.
Their heads are replaced by the ceramic heads of bulls. Something about this uncharacteristically frightens Dexter's "Dark Passenger" into silence, leaving him to solve the crime on his own.
As a series of similar murders take place, members of a mysterious cult begin stalking Dexter, believing his Dark Passenger to be a threat to them. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز دوازدهم ماخ می سال 2016میلادی
عنوان: تاریک رویاهای دکستر؛ کتاب سوم از سری دکستر؛ نویسنده جف لیندزی؛ مترجمان رضا جهانآبادی، رضا محمدیان؛ تهران: منتشران اندیشه، 1393؛ در 285ص؛ شابک 9786009430697؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده 21م
کتاب «تاریک رؤیاهای دکستر» اثر «جف لیندزی» با برگردان آقایان «رضا جهانآبادی» و «رضا محمدیان» است؛ این کتاب سومین جلد از سری «دکستر» با دیدگاهی انتقادی نسبت به بشر است، بیآنکه هیچ مرز و محدوده ای بر جوامع قائل باشد، معصومیت از دسترفته ی انسانها در تمام جوامع، بیشک یکی از دغدغه های نویسندگان است
یکی از دغدغه های «جف لیندزی»، معصومیت از دست رفته انسانها در همگی جوامع است؛ این رمان ایشان روایتی از زندگی «دکستر مورگان» است؛ قاتلی زنجیره ای، که در دایره ی جنایی پلیس «میامی»، با عنوان «کارشناس تحلیل آثار خون» کار میکند؛ «هری مورگان»، پلیس پیشین دایره ی جنایی شهر «میامی»، و پدرخوانده وی، با شناختی که از دوران نوجوانی «دکستر» به دست میآورد، نیاز او به کشتن را مهار ناشدنی مییابد، و با آموزش به او، و جهت دادن به قتلهایش، کوشش میکند «دکستر» را به قاتل قاتلان و متجاوزان، بدل کند؛ اما ماجرا زمانی پیچیده میشود که پلیس «میامی»، در پی قاتلی سریالی است، که قتلهایش شباهتهای عجیبی با قتلهای «دکستر» دارد؛ کتاب در بیست و هشت فصل تنظیم شده و در پایان فصلها که در صفحه 278، به پایان میرسند، «تحلیل روانشناختی دکستر» نگاشته شده است؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 22/02/1400هجری خورشیدی، ا. شربیانی
This is the third book in the Dexter series, Dexter Morgan investigates a double homicide at the University of Miami campus, where two female students have been found burned and beheaded.
Their heads are replaced by the ceramic heads of bulls. Something about this uncharacteristically frightens Dexter's "Dark Passenger" into silence, leaving him to solve the crime on his own.
As a series of similar murders take place, members of a mysterious cult begin stalking Dexter, believing his Dark Passenger to be a threat to them. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز دوازدهم ماخ می سال 2016میلادی
عنوان: تاریک رویاهای دکستر؛ کتاب سوم از سری دکستر؛ نویسنده جف لیندزی؛ مترجمان رضا جهانآبادی، رضا محمدیان؛ تهران: منتشران اندیشه، 1393؛ در 285ص؛ شابک 9786009430697؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده 21م
کتاب «تاریک رؤیاهای دکستر» اثر «جف لیندزی» با برگردان آقایان «رضا جهانآبادی» و «رضا محمدیان» است؛ این کتاب سومین جلد از سری «دکستر» با دیدگاهی انتقادی نسبت به بشر است، بیآنکه هیچ مرز و محدوده ای بر جوامع قائل باشد، معصومیت از دسترفته ی انسانها در تمام جوامع، بیشک یکی از دغدغه های نویسندگان است
یکی از دغدغه های «جف لیندزی»، معصومیت از دست رفته انسانها در همگی جوامع است؛ این رمان ایشان روایتی از زندگی «دکستر مورگان» است؛ قاتلی زنجیره ای، که در دایره ی جنایی پلیس «میامی»، با عنوان «کارشناس تحلیل آثار خون» کار میکند؛ «هری مورگان»، پلیس پیشین دایره ی جنایی شهر «میامی»، و پدرخوانده وی، با شناختی که از دوران نوجوانی «دکستر» به دست میآورد، نیاز او به کشتن را مهار ناشدنی مییابد، و با آموزش به او، و جهت دادن به قتلهایش، کوشش میکند «دکستر» را به قاتل قاتلان و متجاوزان، بدل کند؛ اما ماجرا زمانی پیچیده میشود که پلیس «میامی»، در پی قاتلی سریالی است، که قتلهایش شباهتهای عجیبی با قتلهای «دکستر» دارد؛ کتاب در بیست و هشت فصل تنظیم شده و در پایان فصلها که در صفحه 278، به پایان میرسند، «تحلیل روانشناختی دکستر» نگاشته شده است؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 22/02/1400هجری خورشیدی، ا. شربیانی
August 8, 2013
It's sad to see such a good series descend to this level. This book was a real disappointment. It's hard to know where to start but the overall premise of the book, that Dexter's "Dark Passenger" is actually a supernatural possession by some kind of child of Moloch an eternal something-or-other, lacks so much believability that it ruins the entire series. What made the first two books so good was that Dexter was the sociopath trying to live in the real world. His "Dark Passenger" was simply a different part of Dexter's personality. The success of the books was that we rooted for Dexter and his "Dark Passenger" in spite of him being a sociopath. But how can we root for some horrible monster that possesses Dexter and forces him to kill?
But Lindsay goes too far even with his idea of how someone becomes a sociopath. Every child, at least according to Lindsay, who is abused as a child, grows up to be a serial killer. Rita's two kids both become sociopaths because they were abused by their father. But that isn't how it happens in the real world. Not all serial killers were abused and not everyone who is abused becomes a serial killer. We can root for Dexter when he is unique and only killing other serial killers, but how can we root for him to create more serial killers? Dexter should be sending the children for intense psychotherapy, not lessons in how to kill.
And worst of all, the book is simply boring. Nothing much happens. There are murders but it is impossible to keep straight who is killing who and the murders (and murderers) are almost irrelevant. We hear more about donuts and wedding caterers than we do about anything else. And there really is no mystery in the story. We find out in the first pages of the book who did it although I kept hoping that the book wasn't really going to be this stupid and that Lindsay would give us some other surprise solution. I am fairly confident that this is the last Dexter book I will be reading.
But Lindsay goes too far even with his idea of how someone becomes a sociopath. Every child, at least according to Lindsay, who is abused as a child, grows up to be a serial killer. Rita's two kids both become sociopaths because they were abused by their father. But that isn't how it happens in the real world. Not all serial killers were abused and not everyone who is abused becomes a serial killer. We can root for Dexter when he is unique and only killing other serial killers, but how can we root for him to create more serial killers? Dexter should be sending the children for intense psychotherapy, not lessons in how to kill.
And worst of all, the book is simply boring. Nothing much happens. There are murders but it is impossible to keep straight who is killing who and the murders (and murderers) are almost irrelevant. We hear more about donuts and wedding caterers than we do about anything else. And there really is no mystery in the story. We find out in the first pages of the book who did it although I kept hoping that the book wasn't really going to be this stupid and that Lindsay would give us some other surprise solution. I am fairly confident that this is the last Dexter book I will be reading.
July 12, 2009
Adventures of a sociopathic serial killer who generally only cuts up people who hurt children.
Okay, awesome. Lindsay has clearly done his research – the way Dexter completely fails to get sex, his inflated perceptions of his own intelligence, his completely oblivious sexism, his utter lack of the empathic reflex, it's all perfect. People who know me were shocked I hadn't read these books before. Mostly it was that I knew what they were about, and I thought it would be stupid because I didn't believe a sociopath with that kind of organized offender behavior would ever follow a set of rules on who he could and couldn't kill. But actually that's part of Dexter's fetish – the stalking, the perfect planning, being neat and clean and sure. And who knew these books would be so flipping funny?
Unfortunately, the third book wanders straight off into lala land. I mean, seriously, the hell was that? Lindsay pretty much ruined all the interesting work he'd done on the damage and disfunctions that lead to sociopathy by going for . . . what, demons? It would have been fine as a slide into psychopathic delusion, or even as Dexter's personal metaphor to explain what he is and why. But no. Demons! *helpless hand gestures*
Okay, awesome. Lindsay has clearly done his research – the way Dexter completely fails to get sex, his inflated perceptions of his own intelligence, his completely oblivious sexism, his utter lack of the empathic reflex, it's all perfect. People who know me were shocked I hadn't read these books before. Mostly it was that I knew what they were about, and I thought it would be stupid because I didn't believe a sociopath with that kind of organized offender behavior would ever follow a set of rules on who he could and couldn't kill. But actually that's part of Dexter's fetish – the stalking, the perfect planning, being neat and clean and sure. And who knew these books would be so flipping funny?
Unfortunately, the third book wanders straight off into lala land. I mean, seriously, the hell was that? Lindsay pretty much ruined all the interesting work he'd done on the damage and disfunctions that lead to sociopathy by going for . . . what, demons? It would have been fine as a slide into psychopathic delusion, or even as Dexter's personal metaphor to explain what he is and why. But no. Demons! *helpless hand gestures*
June 2, 2022
3 Stars for Dexter in the Dark: Dexter Series, Book 3 (audiobook) by Jeff Lindsay read by the author.
I was a fan of the TV show and I liked the first two books. I find it interesting to see what the inspiration was for TV and movies that I’ve enjoyed. But I think this book went off the rails. I don’t like the way that Dexter is working with the kids. I like the TV Dexter better. But the TV show got too dark for me too.
I was a fan of the TV show and I liked the first two books. I find it interesting to see what the inspiration was for TV and movies that I’ve enjoyed. But I think this book went off the rails. I don’t like the way that Dexter is working with the kids. I like the TV Dexter better. But the TV show got too dark for me too.
June 1, 2009
If book-Dexter was running along a slightly different track than TV-Dexter before this, Dexter in the Dark takes as far away as it can possibly get.
TV-Dexter is grounded squarely in reality. A very bloody reality, but reality nonetheless. The first two books in the series hinted a bit at a supernatural element; the first book's dreams, for example, and they way our beloved serial killer referred to his dark side as a separate persona who resided in him. I always figured this was metaphorical, but book 3 makes it clear that this is quite literal. Dexter's Dark Passenger leaves him after being scared off by a darker force that is killing people in Miami. Dexter is left without his murderous intuition, without his bloodthirst, and without his emotionless demeanor.
Now, I've seen a lot of reviews that simply hated this. I was prepared to hate it. I didn't though, for a few reasons. For one, it goes a long way in explaining the dreams from book 1, something I never really bought. If Dexter has this supernatural force living in him, then I can reasonably believe that he'd be receptive to dreams about things that he couldn't know. Secondly, I'm sort of glad to have two very distinct Dexter universes to enjoy. If the show and the books mirrored each other too much, it would start to get boring. Third, it was a serial killer "creation story" that I haven't really encountered before. I'm not jumping up and down over it, but I'm willing to give this idea a try.
Other than the plot, I once again enjoyed the dark humor and Dexter's internal voice. I really wish we'd get more scenes between Dexter and Deborah; since book-Deborah knows about her brother's dark side, it just seems like it's a situation ripe for mining (I just reread my review of the last book, and I see I had used the word 'ripe' then, too. Clearly I A) feel very strongly about this, and B) need a larger vocabulary). I want to see more conversations and interaction between them regarding Dexter's hobby. I feel like Jeff Lindsay has missed an opportunity twice now to really deliver on this. Otherwise, Dexter's getting 4 stars from me.
TV-Dexter is grounded squarely in reality. A very bloody reality, but reality nonetheless. The first two books in the series hinted a bit at a supernatural element; the first book's dreams, for example, and they way our beloved serial killer referred to his dark side as a separate persona who resided in him. I always figured this was metaphorical, but book 3 makes it clear that this is quite literal. Dexter's Dark Passenger leaves him after being scared off by a darker force that is killing people in Miami. Dexter is left without his murderous intuition, without his bloodthirst, and without his emotionless demeanor.
Now, I've seen a lot of reviews that simply hated this. I was prepared to hate it. I didn't though, for a few reasons. For one, it goes a long way in explaining the dreams from book 1, something I never really bought. If Dexter has this supernatural force living in him, then I can reasonably believe that he'd be receptive to dreams about things that he couldn't know. Secondly, I'm sort of glad to have two very distinct Dexter universes to enjoy. If the show and the books mirrored each other too much, it would start to get boring. Third, it was a serial killer "creation story" that I haven't really encountered before. I'm not jumping up and down over it, but I'm willing to give this idea a try.
Other than the plot, I once again enjoyed the dark humor and Dexter's internal voice. I really wish we'd get more scenes between Dexter and Deborah; since book-Deborah knows about her brother's dark side, it just seems like it's a situation ripe for mining (I just reread my review of the last book, and I see I had used the word 'ripe' then, too. Clearly I A) feel very strongly about this, and B) need a larger vocabulary). I want to see more conversations and interaction between them regarding Dexter's hobby. I feel like Jeff Lindsay has missed an opportunity twice now to really deliver on this. Otherwise, Dexter's getting 4 stars from me.
July 24, 2019
IT was alone IT wanted ITIT ITITITT TITTTIITITIIIT, MORE of IT
Sooooooo I started this series in 2013…. Yeahhhh… I don’t know why in 2019 I’m still in book 3. I would like to mention that this is a series I adore which makes the fact that I haven’t already finish it even weirder.
‘’I DON’T DREAM. I MEAN, I’M SURE THAT AT SOME point during normal sleep, there must be images and fragments of nonsense parading through my subconscious. After all, they tell me that happens with everyone. But I never seem to remember dreams if I do have them, which they tell me happens to nobody at all. So I assume that I do not dream.’’
Bruh same. It’s so weird. People are constantly like ‘what do u mean you don’t dream?’. Bitch I don’t remember shit.
ughhh Ritaaaa, what a naive queen.
Let’s talk about this shit for a sec. okay so I knew that people kinda dislike it/hate it and when I started it I couldn’t really figure out why but ohhh boiii now I know. The Dark Passenger, Moloch….your girl knooowsss. MMMHMHMMMMMM…..it’s so hard for me not to give this 3stars. FUCK. Dexter is such a whinny lil bitch.
Sooooooo I started this series in 2013…. Yeahhhh… I don’t know why in 2019 I’m still in book 3. I would like to mention that this is a series I adore which makes the fact that I haven’t already finish it even weirder.
‘’I DON’T DREAM. I MEAN, I’M SURE THAT AT SOME point during normal sleep, there must be images and fragments of nonsense parading through my subconscious. After all, they tell me that happens with everyone. But I never seem to remember dreams if I do have them, which they tell me happens to nobody at all. So I assume that I do not dream.’’
Bruh same. It’s so weird. People are constantly like ‘what do u mean you don’t dream?’. Bitch I don’t remember shit.
ughhh Ritaaaa, what a naive queen.
Let’s talk about this shit for a sec. okay so I knew that people kinda dislike it/hate it and when I started it I couldn’t really figure out why but ohhh boiii now I know. The Dark Passenger, Moloch….your girl knooowsss. MMMHMHMMMMMM…..it’s so hard for me not to give this 3stars. FUCK. Dexter is such a whinny lil bitch.
August 5, 2021
This one was bizarre. Weird supernatural angles aside, it was absolutely hilarious. Despite the fact, those aspects were never explored again in the subsequent novels that Followed It. And you know how it is, It Follows. It Does. I still want. You. Funniest one in the series, I'd say. And I do say it. Funny old life and blue-eyed wightbears notwithstanding. It's funny though, I came across this book in a Sunday market, while I was just randomly browsing for old books, and this was my first ever Dexter book, or rather the first Dexter novel I came across, after searching for these for a while. Good times. Good find. Great friends. You know you do, coming upon this book by pure chance when I was actually looking for it, was like me falling in love with all the things that were not there at all.
January 19, 2022
Where did that paranormal stuff come from??? 😠
July 21, 2008
Ugh. What happened to this series? I don't think I've ever read a series that was rooted in reality introduce a supernatural turn in a later book. And I hope I never read another.
May 10, 2017
I very much enjoyed part three in the Dexter series. Compared to the preceding book, this was a lot heavier on the humor and in the case of Dexter I really think this is to prefer. In part two, Dearly Devoted Dexter, Lindsay tried his damnedest to shock and gross us out - and he was quite successful. I liked that one fine as well, but the parts that I wish I could have unread dragged it down a bit. This time around, I thought it was the (non-)physical manifestation of "the Dark Passenger" (as one of Molok's minions) that brought the build down a notch. Being a long-time horror fan, I have no problems at all with the concept, but I still have to agree with that it is a strange feeling revelation to come in book 3. I already had troubles with the 'all that are exposed to severe violent trauma at a certain age grow up to be sociopathic sadist killers' that are implied in both books and TV series, the 'possession' part adds a layer that's too much. And that's the reason for the missing star. Still, a really good read.
November 24, 2017
I really should have liked this more.
Dexter's growth during this book is good, a solid advancement of his character rather than just rinse and repeat that afflicts so many series. The majority of it is driven by external forces, Dexter's interaction with other characters, but in this episode the Dark Passenger takes center stage.
Dexter's relationship with Rita is advancing rapidly and her children, Astor and Cody are looking forward to their new father.
The thing that did not work for me was the heavy-handed omniscient viewpoint. I found it too fantastical and a clumsy attempt at explaining the Dark Passenger and the story would have been fine without it. It was dissatisfying.
Words to live by:
I stood up. It was all too much. I could not even meet my own expectations, and to be asked to deal with all theirs was too suffocating.
Dexter's growth during this book is good, a solid advancement of his character rather than just rinse and repeat that afflicts so many series. The majority of it is driven by external forces, Dexter's interaction with other characters, but in this episode the Dark Passenger takes center stage.
I closed my eyes and listened to the novel emotions gurgling through me. Feeling--what authentic human fun. Next, I could join a bowling league.
Dexter's relationship with Rita is advancing rapidly and her children, Astor and Cody are looking forward to their new father.
And even worse, I could tell that somehow it had become my problem; the children expected me to bail them out, and Rita was clearly prepared to lock and load and open fire on me.
The thing that did not work for me was the heavy-handed omniscient viewpoint. I found it too fantastical and a clumsy attempt at explaining the Dark Passenger and the story would have been fine without it. It was dissatisfying.
Words to live by:
"No, it's not fair," I said. "Nothing in life is fair. Fair is a dirty word and I'll thank you not to use that language around me."
January 25, 2023
Almost a decade ago, I started the Dexter television series and the book series at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed both of them as they are honestly both fantastic in their own mediums. Michael C. Hall was (and still is) the perfect Dexter in my mind, and it gave a nice face to the character I was following in the books.
As things go, book 3 was impossible to find. At the time I was getting to reading it, it was sold out online and I could not find it anywhere. Since I am who I am, I was not interested in bootlegging it and decided it was now a chase (one of my first "chases" to be honest). I waited years and looked everywhere, deciding I wanted to find it at a local book store and not a chain book store, but it never happened (and honestly, sometimes I Just forgot about it - life gets busy). Then this wonderful Christmas, a family member of mine bought the book! It was magical, and I jumped on it not long after I got it. And now book four is close by and I'm itching to read it...
Another round of Dexter Morgan is featured in this book. There's eerie murders going on where people are getting beheaded. It seems like a ritual, but no one wants to believe Dexter. And to top it off? His Dark Passenger is MIA! That makes things so much more difficult, and there's a hint of someone following Dexter.... But he's enjoying his family life, so this isn't the best time for a stalker, just saying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really like Jeff Lindsay's writing and I'm just curious how the book series is going to go. It's a little odd with the supernatural aspect to it (it feels out of place), but it doesn't bother me. I'm just going to keep moving through this series and enjoying the fast paced ride it is. It's just a book that vibes well with me (go figure it's a book about murderering people... probably not in my best interests to admit how glued I was to this book... but it's only fiction!.... I mean, Dexter did inspire a killer....Nope. I'm just gonna stop there. Well written book. Yup).
Four out of five stars.
As things go, book 3 was impossible to find. At the time I was getting to reading it, it was sold out online and I could not find it anywhere. Since I am who I am, I was not interested in bootlegging it and decided it was now a chase (one of my first "chases" to be honest). I waited years and looked everywhere, deciding I wanted to find it at a local book store and not a chain book store, but it never happened (and honestly, sometimes I Just forgot about it - life gets busy). Then this wonderful Christmas, a family member of mine bought the book! It was magical, and I jumped on it not long after I got it. And now book four is close by and I'm itching to read it...
Another round of Dexter Morgan is featured in this book. There's eerie murders going on where people are getting beheaded. It seems like a ritual, but no one wants to believe Dexter. And to top it off? His Dark Passenger is MIA! That makes things so much more difficult, and there's a hint of someone following Dexter.... But he's enjoying his family life, so this isn't the best time for a stalker, just saying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really like Jeff Lindsay's writing and I'm just curious how the book series is going to go. It's a little odd with the supernatural aspect to it (it feels out of place), but it doesn't bother me. I'm just going to keep moving through this series and enjoying the fast paced ride it is. It's just a book that vibes well with me (go figure it's a book about murderering people... probably not in my best interests to admit how glued I was to this book... but it's only fiction!.... I mean, Dexter did inspire a killer....Nope. I'm just gonna stop there. Well written book. Yup).
Four out of five stars.
January 20, 2011
There's a lot of dislike for this book going on in these reviews. It's totally unjustified.
First, this may come as news to some people, but Dexter the show is not Dexter the [Author: Jeff Lindsay] series. The books are darker (if you're a fan of the show, 1. Yes, it's possible, and 2. Don't pick up the series here; start with Darkly Dreaming Dexter). And yes, there's a supernatural element to this book. The thing is, it's not new. I would argue that the supernatural element is present even in the show, if dialed down, but the books certainly have never left ambiguity concerning the shadows and Dexter's Passenger. When Dexter speaks about his Passenger, he's not waxing philosophical or speaking metaphorically. If you read books 1 and 2 and are still willing to gripe about the supernatural in this book, there's no talking to you.
This, to me, is the best of the series so far (I have yet to read 4 and 5); there was very little of the novel during which I didn't have a sense of dread, and it was with great pains that I made myself stop 70-odd pages from the end (Nook version) on day one so that I could go to sleep. If you've enjoyed the books so far, take a chance on this one, too. I suspect most readers giving it a fair shake won't be disappointed. Even Lindsay's slammed-into-a-brick-wall-abrupt endings are losing their grating quality for me.
*****SPOILERS BELOW*****
First, this may come as news to some people, but Dexter the show is not Dexter the [Author: Jeff Lindsay] series. The books are darker (if you're a fan of the show, 1. Yes, it's possible, and 2. Don't pick up the series here; start with Darkly Dreaming Dexter). And yes, there's a supernatural element to this book. The thing is, it's not new. I would argue that the supernatural element is present even in the show, if dialed down, but the books certainly have never left ambiguity concerning the shadows and Dexter's Passenger. When Dexter speaks about his Passenger, he's not waxing philosophical or speaking metaphorically. If you read books 1 and 2 and are still willing to gripe about the supernatural in this book, there's no talking to you.
This, to me, is the best of the series so far (I have yet to read 4 and 5); there was very little of the novel during which I didn't have a sense of dread, and it was with great pains that I made myself stop 70-odd pages from the end (Nook version) on day one so that I could go to sleep. If you've enjoyed the books so far, take a chance on this one, too. I suspect most readers giving it a fair shake won't be disappointed. Even Lindsay's slammed-into-a-brick-wall-abrupt endings are losing their grating quality for me.
*****SPOILERS BELOW*****
June 20, 2022
Dexter mixes with the supernatural here in a completely unnecessary attempt to explain the dark passenger inside him. This conflicts quite hard with the realism of the rest of the series in my opinion.
October 28, 2010
Dexter in the Dark review
By: Richard Lu
If you’ve ever seen Dexter on T.V then you’ll probably know that the plot of the show is about a man with dark desires who wishes to kill people. Instead of using these desires to kill innocent people, Dexter only bears his fangs on other predators that have escaped the judgement of the courts. The plot is absolutely gorgeous and it keeps viewers coming back week after week. Thankfully the book version of Dexter has follows the same format, Dexter expresses his dark passenger by killing other criminals, just like in the show. If that’s the case than the book “Dexter in the Dark” must be as much of a masterpiece as its television counterpart right? Well no, not really.
Dexter in the Dark is about Dexter losing the voice of the Dark Passenger that drives him to become the murderer that he is. Without it Dexter feels naked and vulnerable to other predators. Dexter then begins his search on why his inner voice left him. While I’ll gladly admit that the first half of the novel was written well enough to keep my interest high, it doesn’t go anywhere but downhill from there.
The second half of Dexter in the Dark is an absolute train wreck, detouring dimensions far away from reality. Apparently the book Dexter’s Dark Passenger is caused by an ancient god named Moloch whom has the ability to multiply itself within the minds of many. These possessed people will then crave blood and become predators. Furthermore, people possessed by Moloch will hear music inside their heads that will put them in trance like states, which I found as being pretty out there. As Desiree had said somewhere below me, the T.V version of Dexter was great because it didn’t feel the need to dive into the origins of the Dark Passenger, keeping the plot feeling realistic.
If you’re like me and you decided to pick up this book because you couldn’t get enough of the television Dexter then do yourself a favour, don’t. Like many of the reviewers below me I found that the addition of the mystical gods crap was both unnecessary and stupid. The Dexter of the book just isn’t the same Dexter that we’ve all come to know and love. Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter in the Dark could have been a great way for fans of Dexter to enjoy more Dexter, as it stands now however, it’s just a big disappointment. Hopefully future Dexter novels will mend the wound inflicted upon Dexter’s good name, though I doubt it, since mystic gods have already been introduced in the world of novel Dex.
By: Richard Lu
If you’ve ever seen Dexter on T.V then you’ll probably know that the plot of the show is about a man with dark desires who wishes to kill people. Instead of using these desires to kill innocent people, Dexter only bears his fangs on other predators that have escaped the judgement of the courts. The plot is absolutely gorgeous and it keeps viewers coming back week after week. Thankfully the book version of Dexter has follows the same format, Dexter expresses his dark passenger by killing other criminals, just like in the show. If that’s the case than the book “Dexter in the Dark” must be as much of a masterpiece as its television counterpart right? Well no, not really.
Dexter in the Dark is about Dexter losing the voice of the Dark Passenger that drives him to become the murderer that he is. Without it Dexter feels naked and vulnerable to other predators. Dexter then begins his search on why his inner voice left him. While I’ll gladly admit that the first half of the novel was written well enough to keep my interest high, it doesn’t go anywhere but downhill from there.
The second half of Dexter in the Dark is an absolute train wreck, detouring dimensions far away from reality. Apparently the book Dexter’s Dark Passenger is caused by an ancient god named Moloch whom has the ability to multiply itself within the minds of many. These possessed people will then crave blood and become predators. Furthermore, people possessed by Moloch will hear music inside their heads that will put them in trance like states, which I found as being pretty out there. As Desiree had said somewhere below me, the T.V version of Dexter was great because it didn’t feel the need to dive into the origins of the Dark Passenger, keeping the plot feeling realistic.
If you’re like me and you decided to pick up this book because you couldn’t get enough of the television Dexter then do yourself a favour, don’t. Like many of the reviewers below me I found that the addition of the mystical gods crap was both unnecessary and stupid. The Dexter of the book just isn’t the same Dexter that we’ve all come to know and love. Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter in the Dark could have been a great way for fans of Dexter to enjoy more Dexter, as it stands now however, it’s just a big disappointment. Hopefully future Dexter novels will mend the wound inflicted upon Dexter’s good name, though I doubt it, since mystic gods have already been introduced in the world of novel Dex.
January 20, 2014
after reading a few of the other reviews, I think some people may have missed the very subtle point.
In this book Dexter, who is usually so sure of himself, suddenly loses something very close to him. It throws him off. He has no fallback.
People who complained that Dexter wasn't up to his usual witty banter, might do well to think - Who the hell can come up with classic one-liners when you've been off your game for weeks?
This is the whole point, finally seeing Dexter in a vulnerable position.
I for one am a fan of the writing here. When it comes to first person point of view you won't get gushing verbosity from a man who confesses that he can't feel anything.
The simplicity is all part of the design. Too bad that brilliance is wasted on people who want to be spoonfed their books in a conforming mush.
In this book Dexter, who is usually so sure of himself, suddenly loses something very close to him. It throws him off. He has no fallback.
People who complained that Dexter wasn't up to his usual witty banter, might do well to think - Who the hell can come up with classic one-liners when you've been off your game for weeks?
This is the whole point, finally seeing Dexter in a vulnerable position.
I for one am a fan of the writing here. When it comes to first person point of view you won't get gushing verbosity from a man who confesses that he can't feel anything.
The simplicity is all part of the design. Too bad that brilliance is wasted on people who want to be spoonfed their books in a conforming mush.
October 13, 2014
This third book in the Dexter series continues down a route which the television series did not walk upon. As with the second book you will see odds and ends – such as characters and specific acts – which are the same, but as with the second book it is massively different.
This third book allows us to find out a lot more about Dexter’s Dark Passenger. I know that quite a few people disliked the book as it seemed to put an almost supernatural element into the series, yet for me it was my favourite of the books (possibly because I’m a lover of the supernatural). Whilst we found out in the first book what event caused Dexter’s Dark Passenger, in this we find out about the other Dark Passengers which exist in the world – only after Dexter loses his own through the fight or flight response of his Dark Passenger choosing the latter.
Whether this almost supernatural twist is loved or hated, the book contains the usual tell-tale Dexter signs. For me, I found there to be more amusing moment than in some of the other books. The ending in particular I found to be highly amusing (but to say anything would be to ruin it for you).
If you’re a Dexter fan, even if this twist does put you off, I suggest reading this book. The Dark Passenger details found out in this book do not reappear in later books yet it is nice to get some kind of information.
This third book allows us to find out a lot more about Dexter’s Dark Passenger. I know that quite a few people disliked the book as it seemed to put an almost supernatural element into the series, yet for me it was my favourite of the books (possibly because I’m a lover of the supernatural). Whilst we found out in the first book what event caused Dexter’s Dark Passenger, in this we find out about the other Dark Passengers which exist in the world – only after Dexter loses his own through the fight or flight response of his Dark Passenger choosing the latter.
Whether this almost supernatural twist is loved or hated, the book contains the usual tell-tale Dexter signs. For me, I found there to be more amusing moment than in some of the other books. The ending in particular I found to be highly amusing (but to say anything would be to ruin it for you).
If you’re a Dexter fan, even if this twist does put you off, I suggest reading this book. The Dark Passenger details found out in this book do not reappear in later books yet it is nice to get some kind of information.
November 1, 2007
I guess I enjoyed the book. There was a lot missing from it that I thought could have made it more interesting, and while I'm not a big fan of starting an ongoing series in the third book, I made an exception for this since a) the book was free and b) I'd watched the first season of the show. The show itself is really good, and the book is well eh. While I was reading it I didn't dislike it, but now I'm thinking, well there was no police procedural stuff, there was nothing to show that Dexter was any good at his job, and there was really no killing (opps is this a spoiler?) going on (well there was, but off screen kind of stuff). I do know that Dexter likes to eat though, and the amount of times food is mentioned reminds me of the later years of Peanuts and Snoopy's non-sequitar's about wanting a cookie. I think that Charles Shultz was wanting a cookie of his own at the time and someone was telling him he couldn't have one. I don't know if Jeff Lindsay is in the same position, does someone not let him eat? Does he like to eat a little too much? I think I will try maybe reading the first book of the series, and maybe there will be more blood and less food.
August 26, 2009
Have you ever read a book that made you feel like the author was getting between you and the story? There are two authors who have given me this impression: Dean Koontz, and now Jeff Lindsay.
Jeff. Jeff, Jeff, Jeff. You had a good thing going here. The characters were good, the basis of the story was delightfully wicked, and now you've gone and mucked it all up by trying to explain Dexter's motivations and getting all oogie-boogie on us.
I was willing to grit my teeth through your corny and redundant adjectives for Dexter. I was willing to put up with Deborah (is she that masculine simply because you don't know how to write a woman?). I was cutting you some slack with your portrayal of Rita as a blithering, babbling, annoying woman in spite of the strength she must have to make it through her trials with such grace. But this macabre crap is simply beyond.
Stop it, Jeff. Just stop it. Okay?
Dexter By Design hits stores in a couple of weeks. I hope it doesn't disappoint. My DP doesn't like authors who disappoint.
Jeff. Jeff, Jeff, Jeff. You had a good thing going here. The characters were good, the basis of the story was delightfully wicked, and now you've gone and mucked it all up by trying to explain Dexter's motivations and getting all oogie-boogie on us.
I was willing to grit my teeth through your corny and redundant adjectives for Dexter. I was willing to put up with Deborah (is she that masculine simply because you don't know how to write a woman?). I was cutting you some slack with your portrayal of Rita as a blithering, babbling, annoying woman in spite of the strength she must have to make it through her trials with such grace. But this macabre crap is simply beyond.
Stop it, Jeff. Just stop it. Okay?
Dexter By Design hits stores in a couple of weeks. I hope it doesn't disappoint. My DP doesn't like authors who disappoint.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2020
i thought i was going to enjoy this book more than i did. i mean, it was great. but... it wasn’t what i was expecting.
if i would’ve rated the book during the first half, it would’ve been a 4/5. i really liked the beginning of this book. it was the last half that i didn’t like as much.
the main thing in this book is dexter wondering about the origins of the dark passenger. yes, there are a lot of other things that happen. but that’s the main thing we see dexter struggle with in this book.
i liked the explanation for the dark passenger... i think? it definitely surprised me and i didn’t know how to feel about it. on one hand, it made it more interesting to learn about it and see dexter start to understand its origins. but... i don’t know. i enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as the others.
3/5 stars
if i would’ve rated the book during the first half, it would’ve been a 4/5. i really liked the beginning of this book. it was the last half that i didn’t like as much.
the main thing in this book is dexter wondering about the origins of the dark passenger. yes, there are a lot of other things that happen. but that’s the main thing we see dexter struggle with in this book.
i liked the explanation for the dark passenger... i think? it definitely surprised me and i didn’t know how to feel about it. on one hand, it made it more interesting to learn about it and see dexter start to understand its origins. but... i don’t know. i enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as the others.
3/5 stars
January 23, 2024
I am hooked! I need to keep reading. It’s like watching a what if episode but with characters from a very different type of show. If you like the following, you would probably like this book.
August 19, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Supernatural Thriller/Police Procedural
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: twisted people
Trigger Warnings: murder, human sacrifice
My Thoughts: So, again, this is my second time through this book. I originally picked it up in 2010 and read it shortly thereafter, so it's been around three years since I first read these books.
This book has a lot more of the dark humor that we so love with Dexter, superimposing the comedic wedding plans and Dexter's attempts to work with Astor and Cody with the dangerous killings (and danger to Dexter himself) in a very effective way. I was particularly amused by the description of Dexter and Deborah's visit to a New Age shop:
The hints of the supernatural made in the first books are now fully formed and in motion, thus I have changed my genre designation. I really enjoyed the prologue, and the bits intertwined in the story, that give us some more details on the Dark Passenger and its history. Although I really like reading the books from Dexter's point-of-view (even when he is speaking of himself in the third person), I also liked that we had a hint of the Watcher's thoughts throughout the book, too. I think it really increased the tension, letting us know that Dexter really was in danger (oh NOES) and it certainly kept me on my toes. As Dexter put it, “Feeling—what authentic human fun. Next I would join a bowling league. Find a chat room online and talk about New Age self-help and alternative herbal medicine for hemorrhoids. Welcome to the human race, Dexter, the endlessly futile and pointless human race.”
I was very surprised that Dexter had never heard of the stories about Solomon and demons, or about Moloch, honestly. Or maybe he had heard the stories but never knew the background, I'm not sure, but I immediately was aware of the background. Scary stuff. But wonderful. I really do enjoy these books. I hope you will, too.
Series Information: Dexter Morgan series
Book 1: Darkly Dreaming Dexter, review linked here
Book 2: Dearly Devoted Dexter, review linked here
Book 3: Dexter in the Dark
Book 4: Dexter by Design
Book 5: Dexter is Delicious
Book 6: Double Dexter
Book 7: Dexter's Final Cut
Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds... particularly because, on occasion, he rather enjoys committing them himself. Guided by his Dark Passenger—the voice inside him that helps stalk his prey—he lives his outwardly normal life adhering to one simple rule: he only kills very bad people.
Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancee raise her two adorable (if somewhat... unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But everything changes when Dexter is called to a gruesome double homicide. Dex realizes he's dealing with someone a whole lot more sinister than he is and it sends the Dark Passenger into hiding. And when something scares your friendly neighborhood serial killer, you know it's serious...
More used to inspiring fear then experiencing it, Dex must investigate, while simultaneously coping with is demanding family. If he's to save himself, and those around him, Dexter must pose questions he's never dared ask—where does evil come from, and does it hide inside everyone...?
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: twisted people
Trigger Warnings: murder, human sacrifice
My Thoughts: So, again, this is my second time through this book. I originally picked it up in 2010 and read it shortly thereafter, so it's been around three years since I first read these books.
This book has a lot more of the dark humor that we so love with Dexter, superimposing the comedic wedding plans and Dexter's attempts to work with Astor and Cody with the dangerous killings (and danger to Dexter himself) in a very effective way. I was particularly amused by the description of Dexter and Deborah's visit to a New Age shop:
“We stepped in..A suffocating cloud of sickly sweet incense rolled over me, and I could tell that my inner enhancement had begun with a complete overhaul of my lungs. Through the smoke I could dimly see a large yellow silk banner hung along one wall that stated WE ARE ALL ONE. It did not say one of what. A recording played softly, the sound of someone who seemed to be fighting off an overdose of downers by occasionally ringing a series of small bells. A waterfall murmured in the background and I am sure that my spirit would have soared, if only I had one. Since I didn't, I found the whole thing just a bit irritating.”I also frequently laughed at Dexter's impatience with Cody and Astor's impatience to begin learning the Dark Path.
The hints of the supernatural made in the first books are now fully formed and in motion, thus I have changed my genre designation. I really enjoyed the prologue, and the bits intertwined in the story, that give us some more details on the Dark Passenger and its history. Although I really like reading the books from Dexter's point-of-view (even when he is speaking of himself in the third person), I also liked that we had a hint of the Watcher's thoughts throughout the book, too. I think it really increased the tension, letting us know that Dexter really was in danger (oh NOES) and it certainly kept me on my toes. As Dexter put it, “Feeling—what authentic human fun. Next I would join a bowling league. Find a chat room online and talk about New Age self-help and alternative herbal medicine for hemorrhoids. Welcome to the human race, Dexter, the endlessly futile and pointless human race.”
I was very surprised that Dexter had never heard of the stories about Solomon and demons, or about Moloch, honestly. Or maybe he had heard the stories but never knew the background, I'm not sure, but I immediately was aware of the background. Scary stuff. But wonderful. I really do enjoy these books. I hope you will, too.
Series Information: Dexter Morgan series
Book 1: Darkly Dreaming Dexter, review linked here
Book 2: Dearly Devoted Dexter, review linked here
Book 3: Dexter in the Dark
Book 4: Dexter by Design
Book 5: Dexter is Delicious
Book 6: Double Dexter
Book 7: Dexter's Final Cut
Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds... particularly because, on occasion, he rather enjoys committing them himself. Guided by his Dark Passenger—the voice inside him that helps stalk his prey—he lives his outwardly normal life adhering to one simple rule: he only kills very bad people.
Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancee raise her two adorable (if somewhat... unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But everything changes when Dexter is called to a gruesome double homicide. Dex realizes he's dealing with someone a whole lot more sinister than he is and it sends the Dark Passenger into hiding. And when something scares your friendly neighborhood serial killer, you know it's serious...
More used to inspiring fear then experiencing it, Dex must investigate, while simultaneously coping with is demanding family. If he's to save himself, and those around him, Dexter must pose questions he's never dared ask—where does evil come from, and does it hide inside everyone...?
October 23, 2011
Dear Dexter
I am writing to you to say really you brighten my day, you and me are the same we both are in tune with our dark passenger, well you used to be!
What happened its seams in this chapter of you're life aptly named 'Dexter in the dark' you're dark passenger is in the dark for a while. Not for me around the same period of year you had written this I was actively in tune with my dark passenger in let's say the most macabre of methods of execution.
I unlike you do not prey on the hunters I am the hunter so dear Dexter when you do get back with yourself again good old bad Dexter try and check me out.
Well that would be a problem at present, as I have been doing time, a long stretch, I have served up my years behind bars and my release is days away so dear Dexter I might just be paying you a visit.
I must applaud you, you're trying hard in this chapter of your life in being a family man but that mask will soon show and when it does you will find yourself in the very place I am. Well still it's fun, it's a playground for you're dark passenger here also, if you know the ropes and don't get caught.
I do hope you tie the knot with that lady of yours and hey what are you trying to do with Astor and Cody. Their young and let them be don't try to tune them in with their dark passenger just like your dear step-father had done with you, wake up dexter do what you do best out into the playing field I eagerly await.
(This is a letter of fiction)
September 27, 2015
"Who was I if I was no longer me?"
Only two stars for this one. I can't understand the purpose of this third book, much worse than the other two.
In this book, Jeff Lindsay tries to explain us what Dexter is but... seriously?
"Humans are wonderful combinations of silly, ignorant and dumb, aren't they?"
"In my lifelong study of human beings, I have found that no matter how hard they might try, they have found no way yet to prevent the arrival of Monday morning."
"What is the correct facial expression for being accused of murder by your sister? Shock? Anger? Disbelief? As far as I knew, this wasn't covered in any of the textbooks."
"But as I have noticed on more than one occasion, life itself is unfair and there is no complaint department, so we might as well accept things the way they happen, clean up the mess and move on."
I hope next book will be better than this. I don't want to abandon the series. For the moment.
Only two stars for this one. I can't understand the purpose of this third book, much worse than the other two.
In this book, Jeff Lindsay tries to explain us what Dexter is but... seriously?
"Humans are wonderful combinations of silly, ignorant and dumb, aren't they?"
"In my lifelong study of human beings, I have found that no matter how hard they might try, they have found no way yet to prevent the arrival of Monday morning."
"What is the correct facial expression for being accused of murder by your sister? Shock? Anger? Disbelief? As far as I knew, this wasn't covered in any of the textbooks."
"But as I have noticed on more than one occasion, life itself is unfair and there is no complaint department, so we might as well accept things the way they happen, clean up the mess and move on."
I hope next book will be better than this. I don't want to abandon the series. For the moment.
October 7, 2022
Man, this was a tough one. I loved every season of the TV series, even the weaker ones in the second half. I really enjoyed the first two novels as well. But something went extremely wonky here.
Dexter is stepping up in his role as a father as his wedding date with the lovely Rita inches ever closer. His buddy Vince has his back as a wing-man, setting him up for an easy-going life that will be perfect to mask his secret career as a serial killer. His Dark Passenger steers him through life, teaching him the ins and outs of being a dominant predator of evil while staying out of the public eye.
Everything is going smoother than ever for Dexter, but everything falls apart when he arrives at the scene of a homicide case so gruesome that it scares his inner passenger away. All his life, Dexter believed the Dark Passenger to be nothing more than his subconscious. But what if it was something more? What if he has actually been possessed by a higher being since the day of his birth? And now that this higher being has left him vulnerable and helpless, how is he supposed to defend himself from something far more sinister than he and his former Dark Passenger ever were?
This is where my immersion and enjoyment of the series took an unexpected nosedive. Dexter goes from being an intriguing anti-hero that preys on the monsters of the world, utilizing his thirst for blood as a tool to take out the worst criminals in the history of society. But now it turns out that he was just being possessed by a demon from the Bible and the character I grew to love was just a fabrication? Without the Dark Passenger commanding him, he's turned into a wimpy pushover that whines and pities himself nonstop. He also becomes a bumbling simpleton with no critical thinking skills or charisma at all.
This novel introduces all kinds of bizarre metaphysical paranormal elements that came completely out of nowhere and destroyed a lot of Dexter's character depth on top of reducing the overarching plot to pure silliness. Dexter goes from being an intense yet hilariously charming psychological thriller series to feeling like a cheap knockoff of a bad Dean Koontz or Stephen King book.
I would've been totally down for the supernatural elements if they were introduced as a form of psychotic breakdown Dexter was having or if they were introduced much earlier in the series, but the way it's hamfisted into this book felt very shallow and ruined a lot of what was great about the series. There are moments of brilliance like Dexter's interactions with Rita's kids and the hilarious antics of his coworker Vince, but Dexter himself loses a large amount of his charm in the absence of his Dark Passenger.
I didn't care much for this installment, but I may read the next one to see if it can still be salvaged from the wreck this one caused.
My rating: 2.8/5
Dexter is stepping up in his role as a father as his wedding date with the lovely Rita inches ever closer. His buddy Vince has his back as a wing-man, setting him up for an easy-going life that will be perfect to mask his secret career as a serial killer. His Dark Passenger steers him through life, teaching him the ins and outs of being a dominant predator of evil while staying out of the public eye.
Everything is going smoother than ever for Dexter, but everything falls apart when he arrives at the scene of a homicide case so gruesome that it scares his inner passenger away. All his life, Dexter believed the Dark Passenger to be nothing more than his subconscious. But what if it was something more? What if he has actually been possessed by a higher being since the day of his birth? And now that this higher being has left him vulnerable and helpless, how is he supposed to defend himself from something far more sinister than he and his former Dark Passenger ever were?
This is where my immersion and enjoyment of the series took an unexpected nosedive. Dexter goes from being an intriguing anti-hero that preys on the monsters of the world, utilizing his thirst for blood as a tool to take out the worst criminals in the history of society. But now it turns out that he was just being possessed by a demon from the Bible and the character I grew to love was just a fabrication? Without the Dark Passenger commanding him, he's turned into a wimpy pushover that whines and pities himself nonstop. He also becomes a bumbling simpleton with no critical thinking skills or charisma at all.
This novel introduces all kinds of bizarre metaphysical paranormal elements that came completely out of nowhere and destroyed a lot of Dexter's character depth on top of reducing the overarching plot to pure silliness. Dexter goes from being an intense yet hilariously charming psychological thriller series to feeling like a cheap knockoff of a bad Dean Koontz or Stephen King book.
I would've been totally down for the supernatural elements if they were introduced as a form of psychotic breakdown Dexter was having or if they were introduced much earlier in the series, but the way it's hamfisted into this book felt very shallow and ruined a lot of what was great about the series. There are moments of brilliance like Dexter's interactions with Rita's kids and the hilarious antics of his coworker Vince, but Dexter himself loses a large amount of his charm in the absence of his Dark Passenger.
I didn't care much for this installment, but I may read the next one to see if it can still be salvaged from the wreck this one caused.
My rating: 2.8/5
September 26, 2007
Well, it started out nice and sick, as any Dexter book should. There's also a very funny exchange that involves the victim of a tongue extraction, the sound "Goy," and the response "Yes. Methodist, actually." Oh, I laughed so hard I was crying.
But then there's a lot of silliness. And, yes, that is the best word for it -- though dumb is challenging it.
SPOILER ALERT
First of all, Aramaic is written right to left and does not look like the Latin alphbet enough for plebs to decipher it. Second, I don't care how rich you are, you can't hynotize people just by playing music alone. Third, there's the issue of Rita's "engagement ring" from Dearly Devoted that is never resolved in that book, and is never addressed here. Ugh. Continuity, people. Please!
Still, when you're all doped up on muscle relaxers, this is a good read.
But then there's a lot of silliness. And, yes, that is the best word for it -- though dumb is challenging it.
SPOILER ALERT
First of all, Aramaic is written right to left and does not look like the Latin alphbet enough for plebs to decipher it. Second, I don't care how rich you are, you can't hynotize people just by playing music alone. Third, there's the issue of Rita's "engagement ring" from Dearly Devoted that is never resolved in that book, and is never addressed here. Ugh. Continuity, people. Please!
Still, when you're all doped up on muscle relaxers, this is a good read.
October 13, 2020
This series has taken a sharp nose-dive. The first book introduced a spectacular character with a unique voice and fascinating inner life. The second book was meh and this was borderline unbearable. The author is quite good: his tone is appropriate, literary devices humorous, and the story has a nice, logical flow that’s easy to get caught up in. However, the focus of this plot was straight odd. I honestly have zero idea if I just read about the twisted psychology of murderers or about centuries old demon. Either way, I was not engaged and do not recommend this particular installment of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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