Darkly Dreaming Dexter by: Jeff Lindsay

March 26, 2019

About the Book:
Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened — of himself or some other fiend.

Book Review: ★★★★★★
This is a book that was surprising in its originality. For many of my frequent readers, you know that I have some inherent dislikes about mystery novels — mainly because they so frequently follow a standard theme. There is very little variation. It just seems like the plot, crime, characters, even the settings always revolve around the same old story line. Which, of course, makes for a contrived feeling to the reader, especially if you have read a lot of these types of books. Knowing that this is one that was turned into a television show, and having several people in my family tell me it is a great show — I decided to give it a try when I came across it in the library. And I can honestly say that Mr. Lindsay has created a truly unique approach to a murder mystery — and I understand why this would turn into such a great television show.

A serial killer, of serial killers, pedophiles, and all kinds of other chronic criminals that the world would be better off without. This, of course makes for the originality of the story. (And I can say that without giving anything away, since pretty much everyone knows the basic premise, and if you don’t — you find out in chapter one of the book.) So even though most of the police officers are pretty much stereo typical in their make up, it is completely forgivable, since the main character is so unique. Not only that — but his voice is certainly a world apart from the usual narration voices in most books.

I also found the humor of the book to be darkly amusing. Not only is Dexter a typical sociopath killer — but he knows it, and uses it in a gallows type of humor that I have to admit I found very entertaining. There were several lines in this book that I simply had to laugh out loud they were so funny — as well as true to nature. However, even though this book is so predictable in the humor, you can’t help but laugh at it. And it is this emotionally disconnected presentation of Dexter’s sociopathic mind that really sets this book apart from other mysteries that I have read. For those that love dark, gallows humor — this is a book that you will really enjoy. Especially since it is told from the point of view of the killer of the killers, trying to catch the killer.

I also found that for all of the Dexter character’s insight into his attempts at imitating truly feeling humans — his emotional disconnect really offers some interesting insights into human nature. He really presents some unusual insights into what drives humans, and how much we, as a people are connected to the feeling parts of our natures. Through it is a dark insight, Mr. Lindsay gives an interesting look into why humans act, and react to emotions so strongly — and why we allow those emotions to drive us into positions that we would normally not allow ourselves to be in. And because of the disconnected nature of Dexter, as the main character, these insights become more powerful for their simple ability to point these reactions out — without the reader even realizing how true the statements and commentary really are.

For more information about this book, and its author be sure to visit the following websites:

Dexter Website

Jeff Lindsay Publisher Website

Author Interview

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