Dexter by Design (Dexter, #4) in Around the World in 80 Books

May 01, 2011 Kiri rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I've begun to ask myself why I keep reading these. The first novel was really good. The second was entertaining. Then came the third novel... we'll just forget about that one it was so odd. No I mean it was ODD.

Obviously this is the fourth novel and as the description mentions Dexter is now married and has two lovely step-children. (I'll let you find out why he adores them so on your own) He returns from his honeymoon - complete with observations about Paris done in Dark Deadly Dexter style. We I've begun to ask myself why I keep reading these. The first novel was really good. The second was entertaining. Then came the third novel... we'll just forget about that one it was so odd. No I mean it was ODD.

Obviously this is the fourth novel and as the description mentions Dexter is now married and has two lovely step-children. (I'll let you find out why he adores them so on your own) He returns from his honeymoon - complete with observations about Paris done in Dark Deadly Dexter style. We re-encounter most of the repeat characters, and eventually a plot makes itself known. It should have stayed away.. found another novel perhaps.. better yet beat the author about the ears until it was viable and ready to spring upon the readers.

I think - in the interest of character development perhaps? - Dexter tosses aside the "Rule of Harry" yet again and goes off and gets himself into trouble.. again. (seriously at this rate he'll be arrested by the third chapter of the next book.. no one could be that blind) While a worthwhile antagonist is welcome.. (oh please can we have that story. it'd be SUCH fun) the "opponent" in this book doesn't appear to be the adversary who Dexter was cut out to sharpen his skills against. He's also displaying emotions - despite all his comments to the contrary.

Then there is sister Debbie. While it might intended to be an illustrator of his inability to understand emotion, her behavior and treatment of him (and everyone else) has gone utterly over the top. I didn't pick up that his childhood once he joined the Morgan's was abusive - quite the contrary, it has been portrayed as a loving family situation. He also has indicated emotional bond to all his acknowledged family. Deb is not only extremely rude, she's abusive -- emotionally, mentally manipulative, and lightly on the physical side which includes hitting him (although that is always stated as a punch in the arm although he will avoid it because she repeats the action a few times each episode). Even without the ability to experience emotion that he goes on about this is more than obvious. Sometime in book two I began to ask why she hadn't been reprimanded and counseling introduced. By this book I'm asking wtf she hasn't been fired. Aside from the family dynamics I'd have told her where to get off the bus a while back. If her character seemed to be leading to a point I might not be as strident in my opinion, however her sole purpose seems to be to drag Dexter into a case, prove she's utterly unable to do her job - or be a human being, abuse everyone around her while acting as if it is everyone-else's fault, and not least end up in a life threatening situation that puts Dexter and the rest of those closest to her in imminent (and eminent) danger.

That there isn't much development of characters doesn't help. If Lindsey is headed where I think he is going with Dexter & Co. that would greatly help these books and he doesn't need a great deal of exposition to accomplish it.

I've now finished this and the very last line made me laugh - possibly the only real enjoyment of the whole book. I have the last novel and have begun it but unless something drastically changes I probably will not finish it. Oh and if your interested... the beginning for Dexter is interesting, the first word from Deb enough to make me stop reading. ...more

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Aug 12, 2013 Sera rated it liked it

Shelves: library, audio, thriller-suspense, series

For a serial killer, Dexter can be a funny guy.

Overall, this book presents a nice next step in the series. However, I really didn't care for the underlying case that the police were trying to solve in this one. What saved this book is the deeper insight and context that it provides to Dexter's immediate family, which is starting to play a larger role in the overall story.

I intend to keep reading this series as it is unique for the genre. ...more

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Dec 04, 2013 Pam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: florida-mystery

AUTHOR: Lindsay, Jeff
TITLE: Dexter by Design
Date Read: 11/19/13
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS: Crime Fiction/2009/Doubleday/285 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: #4 in Dexter series

TIME/PLACE: Miami/present
CHARACTERS: Dexter/Blood Spatter Analyst working for Miami PD

FIRST LINES: Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur.

COMMENTS: 4th entry in the Dexter series & still going strong for me. We start out in Paris @ the end of Dexter & Rita's honeymoon. Rita is determined to absorb everything French she pos ...more

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Jul 12, 2009 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, snarky, quirky, florida, audio

While I ding Lindsay slightly for setting up a cool opening that's never quite followed through to its potential, I love the snide wit that suffuses this series. The audiobook version is especially delightful for the reader's perpetually gut-busting rendition of Sgt. Doakes's substitute baritone, which made me giggle every time. I also do so enjoy Dexter's continuing efforts in step-fatherhood - there's something charming about his unvarnished honesty with Cody and Aster. ...more

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