Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

From Publishers WeeklyIt's been years since there's been a thriller debut as original as this one by Lindsay, who takes a tired subgenre-the serial-killer novel-and makes it as fresh as dawn. Lindsay's premise alone is worthy: narrator Dexter Morgan, a blood-spatter specialist for the Miami cops, is also a serial killer. But all his life, Dexter has followed the rules set down by his cop foster father (who knew of Dexter's proclivities), to indulge his passion only by slaying other serial killers. What makes this novel zing, though, is the narration-humorous, self-deprecating, smart and sometimes lyrical, it's a macabre fun ride ("I thought about the nice clothes that I always wore. Well of course I did. I took pride in being the best-dressed monster in Dade County"). The story opens with Dexter at play, kidnapping and killing a priest who has murdered a number of children, then moves on to the main plot, a series of gruesome killings of prostitutes by an unknown madman. Dexter's foster sister is a Miami Vice Squad cop working on the killings, so Dexter decides to help her solve the case. This puts him in conflict with a dumb but ambitious female homicide detective as well as, soon enough, the killer himself, whose approach to serial killing mirrors Dexter's own, uncomfortably so. Might Dexter himself be the culprit? The answer feels a bit contrived, but will surprise most readers, and it's a minor flaw in a gripping, deliciously offbeat novel that announces the arrival of a notable new talent. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

My thoughts:

I saw a preview of the new Showtime series called "Dexter". I was horrifically entranced. A serial killer who only kills bad guys? A serial killer who is so likableI begin to question my own morality. Almost.

Clever of the publishers to release this book again with the premiere of this series. I saw the book and had to have it. Imagine my excitement to discover it's actually a series! Fantastic.

The plot really moves and Lindsay has a gift for voice. Dexter's voice. It's charming, funny, and homicidal. As I read the book, I worried that it would spoil me for the series. For anyone with the same concern, don't worry your pretty little head. After chapter 11 or so, any similarities to the series ends. You won't be spoiled. At least as of last Sunday's episode.

Interesting twist to make a serial killer a good guy. He's tragically devoid of human characteristics, but pretends really well. He tries so hard to fit in with the rest of us, and amuses us as he does. I find it so interesting that he actually has a moral compass. He clearly knows right from wrong and makes choices as to who to unleash himself upon. I shouldn't love him, but somehow, I can't help it. He's Dexter the Dark Avenger.

I can hardly wait to pick up Dearly Devoted Dexter and in summer of 2007, comes Dexter in the Dark. Thank you, Jeff Lindsay for giving me a very guilty pleasure!