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Dexter in the Dark (Dexter #3)

by Jeff Lindsay

3.38 · rating details · 7,520 ratings · 850 reviews

In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds. . . particularly because, on occasion, he commits them himself. But Dexter's happy existence is turned upside down when he is called to an unusually disturbing crime scene at the university campus. Dexter's Dark Passenger – mastermind of his homicidal prowess – immediately se...more

Paperback, 302 pages

Published August 12th 2008 by Vintage Crime (first published 2007)

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May 20, 2008

Becca rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2008, thriller

I wish I could say that this is a fantastic third instalment of Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter series but I’d be lying. Somewhere along the line Lindsay decided it would be interesting to take Dexter into the realms of supernatural and biblical mythology which completely goes against the original reason why I love Dexter.

All the characteristics that make Dexter who he is, his logical outlook on life and how best to fit in and play nicely all goes down the drain when the idea that he might be ...more

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Jun 01, 2009

Brooke rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, mystery

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 met...moreIf 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.(less)

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Oct 23, 2011

Lou rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: october-reading, audio-book, serial-killers, to-be-movies-or-tv, thriller, series

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 n...more

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Oct 01, 2007

Sean rated it

· review of another edition

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.

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Sep 22, 2009

Travis rated it

Shelves: crime-mystery

I also read some of the reviews of Dexter in the Dark before reading and I saw a common theme with most of the reviews; people hated the supernatural aspects. I on the other hand enjoyed the length that the author Jeff Lindsay went through to explain the origins in a very creative and supernatural way that roots human's dark motivations, rituals and religion in this concept of IT or in Dexter's case his Dark Passenger. If there was any gripes about this book was that I was intrigued all the wa...more

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Apr 29, 2008

Sherry rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 07, 2008

Eli rated it

· review of another edition

Anyone familiar with the Dexter series, whether the books or Showtime program, knows that these stories are not for the queasy.

Long before Showtime aired the series, I had read the first two by Jeff Lindsay, Dearly Devoted Dexter and Darkly Dreaming Dexter, and was immediately struck by the brilliant concept of the character. This is our opportunity to enter the mind of a serial killer -- but this is no ordinary serial killer. Raised by his adoptive police detective father (Harry),...moreAnyone familiar with the Dexter series, whether the books or Showtime program, knows that these stories are not for the queasy.

Long before Showtime aired the series, I had read the first two by Jeff Lindsay, Dearly Devoted Dexter and Darkly Dreaming Dexter, and was immediately struck by the brilliant concept of the character. This is our opportunity to enter the mind of a serial killer -- but this is no ordinary serial killer. Raised by his adoptive police detective father (Harry), who recognizes Dexter for the monster he is, Dexter lives by the "Harry Code," fulfilling his insatiable bloodlust by killing only those that deserve it -- other serial killers, child molesters, and their ilk, all while maintaining a human facade as a blood spatter expert for the Miami PD. How's that for irony?

Although the character of Dexter is in and of itself completely compelling, and the books are well-paced and plotted, the quality of the writing should not be overlooked:

"What kind of moon is this? Not the bright, gleaming moon of slashing happiness, no indeed. Oh, it pulls and whines and shines in a cheap and guttering imitation of what it should do, but there is no edge to it. This moon has no wind in it to sail carnivores across the happy night sky and into slash-and-slice ecstasy."

But Dexter In The Dark was not all I had hoped in light of the two prior novels. Without spoiling the underlying theme, let's just say that Lindsay strays off the solid path and veers into Stephen King country with this one, which I personally found somewhat disappointing.

However,there are other redeeming aspects, particularly the character development of the children of Dexter's girlfriend, who recognize Dexter for what he is. Here is the monster serial killer, whose skills have been honed through years of experience and strict adherence to "Harry's Code," as the father-figure to two young children who have been traumatized by abuse from their bioloical father. You won't find a more intriguing depiction of family dynamic.

My recommendation: Read the first two, in order, before tackling this one. But it is a keeper.(less)

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Oct 31, 2007

Greg rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

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...more

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Sep 26, 2007

Karen rated it

· review of another edition

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 Lat...more

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Oct 07, 2007

Mike rated it

· review of another edition

The third installment in the Dexter series offers diminishing returns. It relies heavily on the charity of the reader/viewer of the previous books and TV show to maintain interest. The story is a little limp....it follows what happens when Dexter loses his 'Dark Passenger', the inner voice that directs his murderous ways. As usual he has a mysterious human nemesis who has singled him out for unclear reasons, but why he is singled out is never clear or particularly interesting. There's lots o...more

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Jul 20, 2008

Susan rated it

· review of another edition

I loved the other books in this series a bit more than this one. It was something about the plot, with the ancient religions aspect, that just didn't play well to me. I mean, Dexter is what he is... and ethical serial killer. Serial killers? Believable. And finding someone who understands, who helps mold him into an ethical version? A little far fetched, but believable. How many mothers & fathers love kids that are terrible, and potentially unredeemable?

But the whole "anc...more

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Mar 29, 2011

Kitty Lovelace rated it

· review of another edition

Rather I think 'Lindsay in the Dark'

I must admit that I one of those fans that first experienced Dexter in all its televised glory. And I usually am the one that makes the point of reading the subject to death before watching the movie. And I almost always think that the novel is far superior. My experience with the Dexter novels has been quite the opposite...

After falling in love with our beloved killer on my tv sceen I ran to the library to find the books that inspired such an e...moreRather I think 'Lindsay in the Dark'

I must admit that I one of those fans that first experienced Dexter in all its televised glory. And I usually am the one that makes the point of reading the subject to death before watching the movie. And I almost always think that the novel is far superior. My experience with the Dexter novels has been quite the opposite...

After falling in love with our beloved killer on my tv sceen I ran to the library to find the books that inspired such an entrancing tv series. Darkly Dreaming Dexter was a major disappointment for me. Simply stating that Dexter was a sociopath that scoffed at the emotional beings living among him every other page ticked me off after the complexities shown on the screen. His complete disregard and even disgust for Rita pissed me off. Simply depicting someone incapable of feeling....incapable of feeling is so expected (hah) if Dexter cares not at all then why should anything matter but himself? Deeper into the novel and I find nothing does.

I am aware that this is not a review page for the first novel but it all starts at the roots. After the first novel I decided to disregard their existence and just learn to love the show. Months later I thought to try again and surprisingly loved the Second Novel-Dearly Devoted Dexter. The dry humor kept me laughing into the night.

And by the third novel I think I have located my problem with them. Yes Lindsay writes with great humor but without any substance. There is no character development present in any of the novels, nevermind the series as a whole. With a character that claims to be incapable of feeling anything for anyone other than himself development seems an impossibility. Even the teaching of the two children is a lost cause-Dexter thinks constantly about how he must teach them and yet have they learned a thing? No. Other than how to knife a mythical god that has half a sentence's mention in the Bible in the back while your stepdad is grooving out to drums and trumpets with his pants literally on fire.

Despite the completely random subject matter that this book is comprised of there are other problems as well. For example Dexter seems pretty stupid throughout the work, and I'm not willing to give all brain cells' credit to the Passenger. And do not get me started on the two page "climax" that closes the work. A whole novel of mind games leads to....an abduction and a dance party? Did it really only take a knife in the back to ruin their whole multi thousand year old plan?

In the end the novel was suddenly over and I felt cheated. I read through a hundred pages of that hoping for some explanation and that was it?

My advice...first prepare yourself, then maybe read the first novel only and think of it as inspired by the series, and NOT vice versa.(less)

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Mar 09, 2009

Kimberly rated it

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Recommends it for: anyone who has read the others.

When we first met Dexter, he was a monster among men, albeit an attractive and compelling one. Broken early on in life, but marginally redeemed thanks to the mentorship of his adoptive father, he became a self-wielded weapon aimed at the most despicable members of society. Who can argue with that, right? Dexter is easy to identify with despite being a man who claims to have no emotion. And in the first two books, the fact that he is but a man is very significant. It evokes that classic Dostoevsk...more

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Jan 21, 2009

CJ rated it

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The first two books introduced a sociopath who had been trained to focus his need to kill on serial killers. The other intriguing part of the premise was that the protagonist had a separate identity for that inescapable need to kill - almost a different identity or a different personality that he carried within him and let out only when he was properly prepared to kill another killer in a way that his adoptive father, who was a police officer, had taught him so that he wouldn't get caught and so...moreThe first two books introduced a sociopath who had been trained to focus his need to kill on serial killers. The other intriguing part of the premise was that the protagonist had a separate identity for that inescapable need to kill - almost a different identity or a different personality that he carried within him and let out only when he was properly prepared to kill another killer in a way that his adoptive father, who was a police officer, had taught him so that he wouldn't get caught and so that he had made certain that the person he was planning to kill was indeed a serial killer himself.

In this book, the faint whiff of the occult that the first two books hinted at comes roaring out into full view. You get a full treatment of exactly how long ago "evil" began, how it interacted with various kinds of species as they developed and what its motivations were and are.

All this along with another story that moves Dexter along in his life's journey.

For some, this sudden plunge into the occult and the supernatural explanation for Dexter's dark passenger will ruin the series. For others, it will spice it up.

Regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of the occult in this series, this is still a good book, albeit quite different than the two that came before it. This book pulls the series out of the fiction genre and lands it squarely in science fiction or paranormal fiction instead.

The author has not lost his ability to somehow infuse humor into a truly grisly story and make a sociopath who is so devoid of human emotion and empathy that he can't fathom why people act the way they do likable. That in itself is no small feat.

Dexter struggles to make his way in a world that completely mystifies him, and to survive among people, when he doesn't consider himself to be "human" because his motivation is so very different than other peoples'.

This is a series where you really need to start with the first book, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, then go on to Dearly Devoted Dexter before raeding this one.(less)

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Jan 11, 2009

Jaemi rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, adult-fiction, series

In the latest installment of the Dexter series, we start pondering the bigger questions. Always comfortable with the idea that he was what he was, Dexter never had reason to question where his Dark Passenger had come from, and what, it anything, that might mean. But when a new case leaves him feeling cold, off, and worst of all, alone, suddenly questions are all Dexter has.

Nothing about the burnt corpses with their ceramic bull heads is really all that much worse than any other case....more

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Jan 15, 2012

Robert J. Sullivan rated it

· review of another edition

In the third chapter in the adventures of Dexter Morgan, serial killer with a code, our protagonist finds himself trapped, ensnared in a web with no chance of escape; that is, he’s about to get married. Rita, his fiance, is pulling out all the stops and his best man, Vince Masuoka, is making things worse. He’s also beset by a crazed caterer.

On the lighter side of life, someone has incinerated two bodies and left them on the campus of the University of Miami, their heads replaced wi...more

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Dec 30, 2011

Francisco Ruiz rated it

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I had begun reading the Dexter books when my supervisor lent me the first installment. I was hooked and found the second installment even more pleasing. But like every "drug," every high has its low and boy did this book take the cake.

The inclusion of mysticism and witchcraft compounded with the Dark Passenger being more than just a metaphorical title for Dexter's homicidal urges are both jarring and disheartening. The writing seemed erratic at times and I found myself having to re-read an entir...more

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Oct 13, 2011

Alpha rated it

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"Dexter in the Dark is the third installment in the Dexter Series by Jeff Lindsay and though it is a different direction from the other two novels prior, the direction - well for me - was a bit easier but not as complex as the other two. What I mean is that the other two novels, the antagonists of the novel had a very specialized reason for what they do and they do it off hilter from the so-called norms of society to borderline traumatization. In this novel, it takes a more religious approa...more

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Jan 19, 2011

Aaron Geno rated it

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Recommends it for: Fair-minded fans of the first two books.

Shelves: 1990-to-present, dark-thriller-mystery

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 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 ...more

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Dec 30, 2010

Yolanda Sfetsos rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the third book in the Dexter Series and I absolutely loved it! Seriously, I got so caught up in the story that when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about getting back to it.

After Dexter's accidental-engagement with Rita, he's moved in with her and the kids. She's busy spending every minute talking about the upcoming wedding, and he's more than happy to pretend he's excited and even help plan a few details... as long as he can continue his night games. And he's got himself...more

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Oct 28, 2010

Richard Lu rated it

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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 form...moreDexter 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.
(less)

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Jul 29, 2010

Stephanie M. Lorée rated it

Shelves: reviewed, horror, mystery

The 3rd book in the Dexter series, Dexter in the Dark was a decent read, but is not as good as the earlier two novels. This book focuses on the being Dexter refers to as the "Dark Passenger" and the author delves into a more supernatural quality to the Passenger, giving it a personality and other entities like it. I have to say, I didn't really care for that aspect. The "murder mystery" section that has been a part of all the Dexter novels was really lacking in this one. Ther...more

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Mar 09, 2010

Solkeros rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: EVERYONE!

Shelves: crime-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. To be frank, this is the first time that I’ve read a book from the Dexter series; however I did watch a scarce few episodes of the showcase TV show. It is of course out of the question to summarize this book, which I have learned first hand, as Jeff Lindsay’s writing provides the most impact to the reader when they do not know what to expect. From various other reviews that I had skimmed before reading this novel, I saw that there were various inputs where some of the previous readers had liked ...moreTo be frank, this is the first time that I’ve read a book from the Dexter series; however I did watch a scarce few episodes of the showcase TV show. It is of course out of the question to summarize this book, which I have learned first hand, as Jeff Lindsay’s writing provides the most impact to the reader when they do not know what to expect. From various other reviews that I had skimmed before reading this novel, I saw that there were various inputs where some of the previous readers had liked the book where others believed that this was a failure on Lindsay’s part although my belief is of the latter.

NOTE: THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS!
Personally, this novel by itself is quite great as it includes aspects of real life problems and crimes which have to be solved. As well, Lindsay incorporates an appealing character, Dexter, as well as his step children who aspire to become just like him. For those who do not know already, Dexter is a police blood splatter analyst who is also the “Dark Avenger” who is a serial killer who kills serial killers. Ironic isn’t it? This novel, as you progress through it, is filled with twists and turns where sometimes you too will get lost within the world that Lindsay creates for you. There are also many situations where you as the reader can relate to the events described whether you have experienced it first hand, seen it on the news or talked about with friends/family; the most nerve rattling occurrence, I would say, anyone will face in their life, marriage.

After reading this novel, I am obligated to tell you that, if you wish to understand this novel right off the bat, you should read the previous ones as well. Without them, similar to how I started, you wouldn’t fully understand and may quite possibly be confused as the novel hints on the various personas of Dexter. One moment that I believe was a memorable lesson to was where Sgt.Harry, Dexter’s step father teaches him “[Not to:] get caught...” when killing others.

All in all, this novel is a MUST READ as it maintains a sense of humour like the show. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds an interest in novels which include police aspects, crime, and a sort of dark humour that appeals to many, not just me.
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Sep 13, 2009

Desiree rated it

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It is an artform to get the motive just right in macabre works -- it can't be too elaborate, too obvious, or too vague. The three seasons of Dexter I've watched on tv seem to nail this dynamic in the title character. The show has explained that Dexter has homicidal urges resulting from witnessing his mother's brutal murder as a child, and his foster father -- the cop on the scene -- viewed these urges as something inescapable that Dexter might as well channel into vigilante killing of the cree...moreIt is an artform to get the motive just right in macabre works -- it can't be too elaborate, too obvious, or too vague. The three seasons of Dexter I've watched on tv seem to nail this dynamic in the title character. The show has explained that Dexter has homicidal urges resulting from witnessing his mother's brutal murder as a child, and his foster father -- the cop on the scene -- viewed these urges as something inescapable that Dexter might as well channel into vigilante killing of the creeps that evade the cops and the legal system. Tee vee Dexter is written and acted complexly enough that scenarios which may seem soap opera-ish out of context are wholly compelling in the moment, and his motives seem plausible.

Where the show and this book seem to break is that television Dexter is evolving from someone pathological and emotion-free into someone beginning to care about other people, and learns from his preadolescent stepson that you can overcome your past (Dad #1 to the stepkid was an abusive drug user but the kid seems to be free from the darkness that propells Dexter's double life). In the book, however, the stepkids are tainted by their own childhood experiences and ask Dexter to help teach them how to be killers too -- there is no sense that criminals can rehabilitate in the book's world, including Dexter, so the general direction feels cynical and one-note.

Furthermore, the main emphasis of the book is mumbo jumbo about ancient demons inhabitating people as a leading motive for why people kill -- apparently, anyone with childhood trauma like Dexter's may be more susceptible to it, and Dexter spends the chapters losing and chasing demons. While Dexter's voiceovers on the show do intimate that Dexter is compelled by a "Dark Passenger" or "shadow self" it hasn't felt the need to over-elaborate mystical-origins bullshit -- it just comes off like the admission that there are dark and mysterious aspects to himself. Meanwhile, the book cribs from Rosemary's Baby a la any sequel out of ideas (apparently this is the third book in the series), and it feels unrealistic and out of left field.

All in all, while the book maintains a sense of humor like the show, it isn't enough to compensate for the recycled plot, and this is one of the only times I would endorse plopping in front of the tele instead of picking up a book.(less)

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Jul 12, 2009

Lightreads rated it

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Shelves: fiction, horror, humor, mystery

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 ...more

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Apr 13, 2009

Lindsey rated it

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Shelves: school-2k8-2k9

Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay

I think I started this in the middle of the series. Oops, I probably would have been less confused for the first part of the book had I known.

The back says:

In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds… particularly because, on occasion, he commits them himself. But Dexter’s happy existence is turned upside down when he is called to an unusually disturbing crime scene at the univers...more

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Mar 07, 2011

Samantha rated it

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Series of books tend to do best with consistency of tone. A series of romance novels wouldn't be best served by the sudden introduction of space travel in the third book, would it? And yet that is what Jeff Lindsay has done with Dexter in the Dark. The book plays at cheap mythology and Biblical themes as explanation for Dexter's sociopathy, an explanation that I as a reader would have been perfectly satisfied without. As a result, I simply couldn't bring myself to care about most of the main
...moreSeries of books tend to do best with consistency of tone. A series of romance novels wouldn't be best served by the sudden introduction of space travel in the third book, would it? And yet that is what Jeff Lindsay has done with Dexter in the Dark. The book plays at cheap mythology and Biblical themes as explanation for Dexter's sociopathy, an explanation that I as a reader would have been perfectly satisfied without. As a result, I simply couldn't bring myself to care about most of the main

This is probably the weakest of the Dexter series. Character development ranges from the nonexistent to the stereotypical: Rita continues her descent into a cardboard image of Woman with her obsession with her wedding (because all women are like that and all want the same frilly white excesss ending with a honeymoon in Paris, amirite?). Deborah, once almost an interesting character in her own right and tremendously interesting in the television series, now only curses, threatens to punch arms, and demands that Dexter do her work for her. Lindsay seems either unwilling or unable to create a strong, interesting female character, and most of the women he writes are either simpering fools or malicious schemers.

The technical construction of this mystery is marginally better than the others, though insufficiently compelling to make me care to solve it. It is paced better than the second, but the reader cannot even attempt to solve it along with Dexter and must instead sit in the back seat and watch as the characters do it.

(view spoiler)

This book is good for the kind of reader who can't put down a series they start. It's not the best Dexter book, but it is still a Dexter book, and that makes it better than many other books available for cheap reading on the beach or during a commute. If you're one of those readers, treat it as a mindless guilty pleasure and you'll be fine. For those of you who are not so compelled, you don't lose terribly much by skipping the last three books, and this one in particular. Fans of the TV series may also be disappointed; for all its faults, this book is weaker than the TV series, particularly as it loses the most compelling aspect of its appeal: characterization. If you're reading this to have more Dexter stories beyond the television show, skip this and try to find some well-written fan-fiction instead. It may very well feed your Dexter fix better than this.(less)

· see review

Jun 23, 2009

Laren rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries

This is the third book in a series about Dexter Morgan, the serial killer with a code (he only kills people who do bad things to other people). I read the first two before the series based on these books started airing on Showtime, but I kept picturing the star of the show as our protagonist (which was weird considering I don't even watch it). That made my reading experience a little different for this book to begin with.

Here, a double homicide shows signs of being related to an al...more

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Jan 01, 2012

Marianne rated it

· review of another edition

Dexter in the Dark is the third in Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter series. Dexter Morgan, our favourite serial killer of serial killers, is about to get married. His intended, Rita, is in the throes of wedding and honeymoon plans; Astor and Cody are demanding some mentoring of the kind only Dexter can give; his colleague, Vince Masuoka, insists he can help with a famous (and very expensive) caterer. Dexter is handling it all well, as he and his Dark Passenger have their regular play dates. Then, at the sc...more

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Dec 18, 2011

Gossymotto rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: detective, horror, suspense

I have not watched any of the TV series episodes of Dexter, so I wasn't expecting anything specifically from this, although the reason I hadn't watch was because, from commercials it looked like a kind of silly series.

The first thing I'll say is that I definitely enjoy Jeff Lindsay's writing. He has a great sense of humor that comes through effectively despite the darkness of the story-line. The story itself was not what I expected and it did take me a little to get in to it. I foun...more

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About Jeff Lindsay

Jeff Lindsay is the pen name of an American crime writer, Jeffry P. Freundlich, who lives in Cape Coral, 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. Many of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author. Time Blender was written with Michael Dorn...more

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“Nothing in life is fair. Fair is a dirty word and I'll thank you not to use that language around me.” — 100 people liked it

“But as I have noticed on more than one occaision, 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.” — 59 people liked it

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