Dexter books are enjoyable, although the characters are pretty one-dimensional, especially compared to the TV show. Debra has one mode in this book- grumpy and swearing. Rita is a vapid waste. Dexter is pretty slow, as the author tries to build up to something, the reader can see it coming and just wishes he'd get on with it. Pacing is slower than I remember in the other books; I really don't need to know about Dexter choosing what parking space to take, or the details about his drinks and the flight attendants' attitude on an otherwise uneventful flight. (This is the bonus of audio, I can just zone out and then listen again when it get interesting.)

The good parts- Lindsay keeps us squicked with the sheer weirdness and disgusting manner of the antagonist du jour, and I really appreciated the fact that the antagonist is gay, but that has nothing to do with the story. It just so happens that he's gay; there are no gay slurs or mentions about his orientation beyond mentioning he was angry because of something about his boyfriend. (Since he is the antagonist I expected someone to make a slur against the homicidal queer or something.) We do learn some more about Dexter's origin, and he explores some unexpected, almost emotion-like responses.

Dexter books are very popcorn-like, not a lot of thought needed, but enjoyable to see a different kind of hero. One weird thing about the end follows a jump here-



























Is that enough spoiler space? Hope so.

So what happened with Debra and specifically Kyle? The Debra plot thread, her wanting to leave the force, not feeling close to Kyle, seemed to dangle at the end. Anyone get more out of this than me? I could have zoned out while listening to the epilogue, although I'm sure I didn't.