Dexter by Design
NATIONAL BESTSELLER - The Dexter series continues with Dexter's deadliest case yet. - The Killer Character That Inspired the Hit Showtime Series Dexter
After his surprisingly glorious honeymoon in Paris, life is almost normal for Dexter Morgan. Married life seems to agree with him: he's devoted to his bride, his stomach is full, and his homicidal hobbies are nicely under control. But old habits die hard--and Dexter's work as a blood spatter analyst never fails to offer new temptations that appeal to his offbeat sense of justice. Not to mention that his Dark Passenger still waits to hunt with him in the moonlight. The discovery of a corpse (artfully displayed as a sunbather relaxing on a Miami beach chair) naturally piques Dexter's curiosity and Miami's finest realize they've got a terrifying new serial killer on the loose. And Dexter, of course, is back in business.BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
When I first stumbled upon Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series, it was through the allure of the television adaptation, which had captured my imagination with its dark humor and the complex morality of its protagonist. Like many, I often find that books provide a richer experience than their screen adaptations, which led me to explore the source material with high expectations, akin to how I discovered and fell in love with Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.
However, as I delved into the Dexter novels, my initial enthusiasm began to wane. Starting with "Darkly Dreaming Dexter," the series introduced us to Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst by day and a vigilante serial killer by night. The first book was an intriguing, if not groundbreaking, start. It set up Dexter's character with a unique blend of chilling detachment and an almost charming wit.
Moving to "Dearly Devoted Dexter," the narrative continued to explore Dexter's 'Dark Passenger,' but the charm started to wear thin. The wit that seemed fresh initially began to feel repetitive, and the character development didn't evolve as compellingly as one might hope.
Then came "Dexter in the Dark," which, frankly, was a misstep. Introducing supernatural elements like ancient gods felt jarringly out of place in what had been established as a more or less realistic, albeit dark, universe. This departure was not just unexpected but felt like a different genre altogether, disrupting the series' continuity.
"Dexter by Design," the fourth installment, promised a return to form but ultimately failed to deliver. Here, Dexter's internal consistency as a character, which is crucial for maintaining the suspension of disbelief in such a narrative, feels compromised. His decisions and actions seem less calculated and more erratic, which might aim to show his human side but instead comes off as inconsistency in writing. The plot plods along without the thrilling pace or the psychological depth one might expect. The humor, once a redeeming quality, now borders on clichéd, losing its edge and becoming predictable.
The book culminates in a cliffhanger, which, rather than leaving me eager for more, felt like a relief that the ordeal was over. This reaction was unexpected, especially since I'm usually the one advocating for the depth of novels over their screen adaptations. However, in this case, "Dexter by Design" did not enrich my understanding or enjoyment of Dexter's world; instead, it left me appreciating the TV series more for its tighter narrative and character consistency.
In conclusion, while the Dexter series might still hold appeal for those fascinated by its premise or those who enjoy the show, "Dexter by Design" might not be the highlight of the series for readers seeking depth, consistency, or the dark, intelligent humor that Dexter initially promised. For now, I'll stick with the television portrayal, which managed to maintain its allure where the books, unfortunately, did not.
However, as I delved into the Dexter novels, my initial enthusiasm began to wane. Starting with "Darkly Dreaming Dexter," the series introduced us to Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst by day and a vigilante serial killer by night. The first book was an intriguing, if not groundbreaking, start. It set up Dexter's character with a unique blend of chilling detachment and an almost charming wit.
Moving to "Dearly Devoted Dexter," the narrative continued to explore Dexter's 'Dark Passenger,' but the charm started to wear thin. The wit that seemed fresh initially began to feel repetitive, and the character development didn't evolve as compellingly as one might hope.
Then came "Dexter in the Dark," which, frankly, was a misstep. Introducing supernatural elements like ancient gods felt jarringly out of place in what had been established as a more or less realistic, albeit dark, universe. This departure was not just unexpected but felt like a different genre altogether, disrupting the series' continuity.
"Dexter by Design," the fourth installment, promised a return to form but ultimately failed to deliver. Here, Dexter's internal consistency as a character, which is crucial for maintaining the suspension of disbelief in such a narrative, feels compromised. His decisions and actions seem less calculated and more erratic, which might aim to show his human side but instead comes off as inconsistency in writing. The plot plods along without the thrilling pace or the psychological depth one might expect. The humor, once a redeeming quality, now borders on clichéd, losing its edge and becoming predictable.
The book culminates in a cliffhanger, which, rather than leaving me eager for more, felt like a relief that the ordeal was over. This reaction was unexpected, especially since I'm usually the one advocating for the depth of novels over their screen adaptations. However, in this case, "Dexter by Design" did not enrich my understanding or enjoyment of Dexter's world; instead, it left me appreciating the TV series more for its tighter narrative and character consistency.
In conclusion, while the Dexter series might still hold appeal for those fascinated by its premise or those who enjoy the show, "Dexter by Design" might not be the highlight of the series for readers seeking depth, consistency, or the dark, intelligent humor that Dexter initially promised. For now, I'll stick with the television portrayal, which managed to maintain its allure where the books, unfortunately, did not.
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