Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding.
Review: A superb page-turner of a police procedural, written in the first person by a serial killer who is on the side of the good guys.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing Premise...Flawed Execution (Pun Intended)
Review: First, the good news...this is an interesting book with an unusual premise that, for the most part, is carried off well. There aren't many books told from the point of view of a criminal - Lawrence Sanders' Bernie Rhodenbarr and Keller the hit man are two that come readily to mind - but I know of no other protagonist who is a serial killer. Lindsay has taken this rather odd concept and has created a novel that generally works. Dexter is witty, introspective, and somewhat charming; it's to Lindsay's credit that he has created a character that is rather appealing despite the fact that he is a murderer. The author gets around this by having Dexter kill only those who allegedly deserve it, a fairly dubious argument. Indeed, the two people that Dexter actually murders during the course of the book were individuals who preyed on children, which somewhat stacks the deck.
Nevertheless, the book is a welcome change from the usual serial killer genre and Dexter's chase for another serial killer is a rather lighthearted romp given the topic. Unlike other critics, I found Lindsay's alliteration to be fun and not at all tiresome. He made Dexter a witty narrator and at times I found myself chuckling out loud.
However, there are two caveats that keep me from giving the book more stars and recommending it completely. First is the unfortunate character of Dexter's sister Deborah, who comes across as whiny, shrewish, and generally unpleasant. I hope that if Lindsay writes more Dexter novels, he will rethink her character and make her more believable. As it was, she just didn't ring true as a person or as a police officer.
My second reservation concerns the ending, which seemed rather abrupt and a little disappointing. Up until the end, I was caught up in the story and very anxious to see where it was going. It seemed to me that Lindsay had set up a fascinating scenario with an intriguing central character only to run into the same situation as many other authors - what do I do for a big finish? The outcome didn't really ring true - which may be silly to expect in a book narrated by a serial killer - but the ending, to me, wasn't worthy of a book that, up to that point, was rather charming.
Still, if you are looking for something different, you could do far worse. I am actually looking forward to Dexter's next adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing but stereotypes and clichés
Review: 290 pages of police thriller clichés.
A family of cops.
The cop is a killer.
The good female cop is stuck in vice as a hooker, but she'll make homicide detective
The lame female cop is already detective.
Neighboring police districts arguing over jurisdiction.
Stereotypes: every serial killer had a trauma as a child, every traumatized child grows up to be a serial killer.
Given that the author's bio states he's already working on a 2nd Dexter novel, I guess it's not too much of a plot spoiler to say that the ending sets us up for a sequel with most of the same characters.
On the positive side, it's only 290 pages and there were so few words on each page, I thought I must have picked up the large print edition.
For a book so filled with clichés, the only fitting end to a review is to say it's a shame so many trees had to die for this.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkably Riveting Read!
Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter is an absolutely fantastic novel. Thrilling and suspenseful, yet original. I've read many serial killer/murder/suspense novels, and this is by far the best. Lindsay takes the reader into the dark and troubled mind of Dexter (a full time blood spatter analyst and a part time serial killer) and brings understanding and empathy for the character despite his "evil doings." This novel has an excellent flow from beginning to end, and is extremely hard to put down. Really recommended read!
Rating:
Summary: Disturbingly Enjoyable
Review: Dexter is a blood spatter analyst, helping the Miami police capture killers by day, while by night--certain nights, when the moon is right and all preparations are made--he creates his own justice. You see, Dexter is a serial killer of serial killers.
His sister, Deborah, is a Vice Officer on the same police force, and she comes to Dexter for help on the case of a new serial killer that is preying on the Miami prostitutes. Though Dexter is a "nerd cop" (as he puts it) and not an actual detective, he has gained a bit of a reputation for having an special insight into the minds of serial killers. If they--especially Deb!--only knew why. . .
Dexter is torn between his desire to help Deb succeed and move up the career ladder, and his desire to save this new, artistic and terribly appealing killer for himself. There's never a question that Dexter wants to stop the killer. Or is there?
This killer seems to be calling to Dexter, speaking specifically to him, asking him to come play. And oh how Dexter wants to play! As more bodies pile up, and more "Dexter, come play" messages appear, Dexter struggles to stay sane working on this case. There are times he wonders if he himself could be this latest amazing serial killer, especially as he begins dreaming about the latest killings before they happen!
The result: a disturbingly enjoyable novel, well-written mystery and suspense, lots of laugh out loud dark humor and a hero that I almost feel guilty for liking. But like him I do. Lindsay has created a complex character and a book that deserves a full five stars. Even if I feel a wee bit guilty for recommended it!
Rating: 
Summary: Dark, different, and delightful
Review: Dexter is a great character. Definitely different from your usual protagonist. I found myself charmed and creeped out all at once. I look forward to the sequel. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because I found the ending less than great; but I still recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: A murderously charming protagonist
Review: Here's the deal: a good book writes its own review, triggering sufficient spontaneity to fill the page without reaching for bits of interest; this is one of those books, pushing aside all those mundane summer novels, leaving the reader with a satisfying, "Ah."The attractively ghoulish protagonist is a sociopath and a murderer, but one with a "conscience", unfortunately an asset as manufactured as his other feelings. But Dexter does his best, given the circumstances. Brilliant and introspective, Dexter charms from the first page, even while distracted, dismembering his latest victim. What makes Dexter's extra-curricular activity bearable is the reason he kills: Dexter only chooses victims who have perpetrated foul deeds, those who would continue harming innocents if not stopped. To be honest, who hasn't secretly applauded the occasional vigilante who takes justice in his own hands, balancing the scales a bit? Essentially passionless in his pursuit of evil-doers, Dexter is an elegant ghoul, fascinated by blood, the essence of human life. With the self-control of a recently sated vampire, Dexter is intelligent and thorough in his murderous pursuits. Like Rice's Vampire Lestat, this more human predator has a dark, romantic appeal, his dispassionate regard for "necessary" murders seductive and curiously erotic. Dexter spends his days as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Dade PD, the perfect job for keeping up with current crime scenes and maintaining a cover, not to mention the chance to troll for other deserving victims. Lurking behind his public self, Dexter is as secure as a serial killer can be. Until another killer shows up, perfectly modeling Dexter's MO. Both anxious and intrigued, Dexter scents a challenge, another creature of the night that lives with a Dark Passenger, as he refers to his murdering alter-ego. But Dexter is torn; he covets this newcomer for himself, but has promised to help his half-sister policewoman solve the case in her bid to become a detective. Suddenly events spiral out of control, Dexter's careless insouciance is a thing of the past, as he is pursued by dark dreams and chaotic nightmares. Like Alice in Wonderland lost in a psychedelic trance, Dexter tumbles down the rabbit hole. What he finds is completely unexpected, a twisted, deviant detour into horror, startling the man who has thought himself incapable of shock. One has to wonder about Dexter's powers of self-preservation, whether he is tempting fate and secretly wants to be caught. Lindsay has delivered an inspired mystery, one that demands to be read, in one sitting if possible, the elegant Dexter speaking to the need for justice where often there is none. Can't help but smile at the young man's antics, dancing in the moon-drenched night with his own demons and skirting the edge of mayhem. With infinite grace, the author reaches into the dark heart of each of us, igniting atavistic memory, no doubt with a smile on his face. Luan Gaines/2004.
Rating:
Summary: A serial killer to fall in love with... Indeed!
Review: I must admit, the only crime novels I've ever picked up were ones featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, but even these novels are of the mystery genre. Modern crime fictions are new to a young adult like me and the only other crime novels I've recently had my hands on were Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mysteries (again still a mystery fiction). So I was quite glad to have seen the Australian release for Jeff Lindsay's Darkly Dreaming Dexter as it offered the same formula for a good crime caper slash mystery fiction that I've enjoyed in the past, except that my new loved hero isn't such a good guy himself. What can I say? Good girls always go for bad guys.
Dexter Morgan can be said to be the most perfect guy: funny, nice to people, loves his sister, loves children, and always seem to say the right things. However, beneath the picture perfect gentleman image, Dexter kills Miami's bad guys because i) they deserved it and, more disturbingly, ii) killing satisfies The Need.
Dexter is different because a mysterious childhood made him cold and unfeeling. Thus, as the story, which is told Dexter sees it, progresses, it is quite interesting to see someone who is apathetic towards other humans impersonate them and try to blend in. This insight into a serial killer's thought is one of the main positive features of the book especially when this unsympathetic good murderer is a sarcastic one. What I love about this book is that there didn't seem to be any irrelevant parts so you couldn't really put the book down until you find out what happens next. It's a page turner, but it seemed to be one of the weakest points as it was like wanting to get to the destination but fearing the end of the thrilling ride.
However, the characters were kind of a downside. Deborah, Dexter's sister, appears to be more a whiner than a professional cop who matched LaGuerta's incompitence at police detective work. I wondered to myself why Dexter wasn't a detective himself but a blood spatter analyst. He knew how vile criminals think, yet he hated blood. Another thing was that he spent more of his time where he wasn't needed rather than analyzing blood spatter patterns on other crimes comitted. What's up with that? Last gripe with the novel was that the action part could've been hiked up a notch.
All in all, the ending was great and has led to me to believe that Dexter, and hopefully Rita as she had about a few pages in this, will certainly be appearing in more Lindsay novels. As they say, the lighter the picture, the darker the negative, and I just can't wait to read about what happens inside the dark recesses of Dexter's own dark mind.
Rating:
Summary: A devious, divine & delicious book...
Review: This book really IS as good as everyone who likes it says. The start is a bit waffly - don't be put off by the first chapter, keep going and it gets better and better. The strictly moral serial killer, who does society a service by dispatching evildoers - simple concept, but it hasn't been done this well since Blackburn: A Novel by Bradley Denton. (If you liked DDD, read Blackburn - it's very different, but you'll enjoy it.)
Dexter, however, is divinely and uniquely quirky. A blood-splatter pattern expert, he talks naturally of 'a splay of police cars' or 'a clot of police officers' gathered around a body. He's cool, sardonic, with an eye for the irony or ridiculous. Though regarding himself as 'inhuman', he's a superb political animal, attuned to the police department games & the nuances of his conniving colleagues, calmly on a knife edge between work and 'play'.
Throughout the chaotic and totally entertaining criminal investigations, which are hard to describe without giving too much away, runs the reassurance of the Wisdom of Harry. The late Harry, Dexter's wise & worldly foster father, recognized the 'beast' in Dexter, teaching him to channel it towards those we would be better off without. The Wisdom of Harry also taught him how to be inconspicious and appear normal and in control, lessons which have seen Dexter well through many, many murders - but which include nothing about what to do when the dreams start...
Fun. Creepy. Gripping. Clever. I envy those of you about to read it for the first time...
Rating:
Summary: Good Popcorn Book
Review: This book reminded me of a good summer movie, you eat your popcorn have a good time and leave. This is my first foray into the serial killer genre. Part of the plot reminded me of the movie "Silence of the lambs". The main character is intriguing, a serial killer who only kills people who deserve it. This allows you to offer up some sympathy for him. He also has suprise! suprise! a sister who is a cop. The Book is a quick fast paced read. Not great literature but I enjoyed it.
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