Dexter In The Dark

I've read all three of these in quick succession - usually I'll have a break between a series but have only 3 or 4 books between each of them. This was mainly due to the television series starting and me wanting to be fully aware of what happened before watching it.

Contrary to the popular opinon I think this novel (the third in the series) is more controlled in style. I loved the haphazardness of the first novel whilst we get to know Dexter and his Dark Passenger. The second novel had a fabulous crime in it that kept me intrigued and this novel was a step away from that. The crime was clever and sustained throughout the novel but this time we get to know more about Dexter and Rita's two children - Cody and Astor.

The plot is just as good as the previous two novels but I feel the writing has improved, it seems more structutred as if Jeff Lindsay has settled into the Dexter series. This one is more throught provoking and you can tell that just from reading the inside of the dust jacket - this time one someone is scaring Dexter and has sent his Dark Passenger into hiding. If he is to save himself and those around him he has to ask himself where evil comes from and does it hide inside everyone?

I didn't feel that it was as much of a page turner as the other two but it was still highly enjoyable. I eagerly await the fourth in the series later this year.

And then Jeff put a foot badly wrong.... (0/0 people found this helpful)

I can but echo the other reviews making disappointed noises about this latest installment in the Dexter series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, which had a sound balance of dark wit and grande guignol which ensured they were a cracking read.

However, Mr Lindsay really drops the ball on this one. The initial premise is good (where does the Dark Passenger come from?), but the plot has gaping holes that are shockingly large, and many of the relationships between characters are tired retreads from the second book.

Its extremely difficult to air my objections without ruining the story, so I'm going to have to hold my tongue for the moment. However, I'm sure that most readers who've enjoyed the other books will come away feeling cheated, and with a bit of reflection will spot the rather massive (not to mention illogical) errors made by Mr Lindsay regarding the latest deadly opponents he's conjured up to oppose Dexter. Bad call, brother.

It would be cynical of me to suggest he's banged out this latest episode to cash in on the popularity arising from the TV series and flog a few more books, but I am, so I will. This book smells of tired ideas and impending deadlines, and a publisher wanting the latest installment to grab that cash whilst Dexter is 'on the radar'.

I'll probably still read the next one in the series, in the hope that some inspiration has struck. But as things stand, and on the basis of this latest offering, don't expect the series to go beyond five books before Mr Lindsay runs out of things to say about his amusing character.

much worse than the first two books (0/0 people found this helpful)

Gave it a "credit" three stars hoping that the next one will be better. After the darkly flippant dry humor of the first - and especially the second - book the sudden turn to Moloch mysticism and a king of urban fantasy was unexpected and definitely out of the general macabre logic. Totally out of character - both for Dexter and the books.

Must add, Deborah in that one is even more boring, brainless and irritating than in the other two. But there is an extremely fascinating line of Dexter's relationship with the kids, him being their mentor - though that is probably something they will never be able to move to the screen, unless they want the rating "for those over 95, on the deathbed, with no chance of telling anyone about it". Such a pity that the TV and movie laws simply do not permit some of the most interesting character developments to be filmed (notice the same "for general public" simplification of the ending of "Hannibal" book in the movie).

Dexter, as dark as always (1/3 people found this helpful)

Dexter in the dark was received as a Christmas gift with an apology, "sorry if you do not like it, the reviews have not been great".

Having given Dexter two days it is obvious that Dexter fans belong to one of two groups - those that enjoyed watching the series on the goggle box and those who enjoyed the books. I was unfortunate enough to have seen the series before picking up the first of the books and can now safely say that I am a true devotee to the books.

The latest offering from Jeff Lindsay is yet again another excellent insight into the world of Dexter, whilst moving away from the usual format, and a slightly different kink this time, a throughly enjoyable excursion which sadly only leaves me wanting more.

I think Dexter is a text book example of why serialising from book to tv does not always work - enjoy the book, or enjoy the tv show.

Highly recommended if you are a true fan !!!

What a fun outing (1/1 people found this helpful)

for Darkly Dashing Dexter, with delicious delving into the deeper demons within.

Ignore the bad reviews, this book was great fun with a couple of very novel twists.

Hope there's a fourth!

Jeff Lindsay

Reader Reviews:

A different style to the previous two (3/3 people found this helpful)

And then Jeff put a foot badly wrong.... (0/0 people found this helpful)

much worse than the first two books (0/0 people found this helpful)

Dexter, as dark as always (1/3 people found this helpful)

What a fun outing (1/1 people found this helpful)

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