Dexter in the Dark

It is of course out of the question to summarize these books. They work well only if you do not know what is coming. That is called suspense and Jeff Lindsay is a master in the way he can surprise us in new and unforeseen developments, though of course we know Dexter is always alive and will always survive. The three volumes have each a perfect unity brought by the arch enemy to which Dexter is confronted in each one of them. The fact that he is a police blood spatter analyst by training is only an easy device to set him in the heart of all serial killing cases. The fact that he is a serial killer himself makes his life absolutely schizophrenic and he has to learn how to live with that doppelganger of his. The fact that he is trying hard to be human, including by marrying someone, is just some kind of bag of obstacles he has to solve and negotiate constantly, especially with the two kids of his paramour and soon wife. The archenemy is self appointed and a real challenge for Dexter. Each volume has its archenemy: sibling, colleague who becomes target, some old god's - Moloch - illuminated believers. The originality of these novels is contained in that very fact. The various lines both complete and contradict one another, always crisscross and mix into some Molotov cocktail of exotic killing and that is why we should read these novels. Be careful on one detail: they have little to do with the TV series that are a perfect adaptation, which means the TV series are the use of the character but not of the details of the cases. In fact the TV series is an absolutely new and creative story line built with the character Dexter. We find the same outline as in the first volume, the sibling, at first, but extended and at once completely modified. The second volume is estranged from its adaptation and the political context of the El Salvador dealings of the US during the civil war there have been completely erased. The third volume has not even been hinted at and many crimes and cases and developments have been added that are not in the books. Some crucial characters in the series are even dealt with and liquidated in the book as fast as fast can be. Do not imagine you are going to find the verbose description of the action packed events you have seen in the series. It is something completely different in many ways. It is another and different experience worth reading for itself. One note is interesting here. Dexter is schizophrenic for sure but he is absolutely modern because he is just pushing slightly further than ordinary people what is the very condition for survival in this modern world: we need to be schizophrenic if we just want to be able to wake up tomorrow morning and face the world the way it is. Dexter is our hidden side. Dark or full of light? Who knows? Who can know? But it sure is enjoyable. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID

This book was quite different than the others - being focused more on Dexter's interior - the role of the Dark Passenger... I wonder if the show will incorporate this plot line at all... It was fascinating, with a historical context that none of the other books had. And not to mention the continued development of Cody and Astor! I am sure the show won't bring on their new roles, but I just love their addition to the plot! I wish I lived in England because the 4th book is already in print there and I would just love to keep reading this series! What fun!

Usually when I read a book that has been made into a movie or TV show I'm disappointed in one or the other, but not this time. There is just enough difference to make them totally unique adventures. I think Dexter speaks to that side of us that feels powerless against the real evils that we face in everyday life. I quite enjoy taking a break from that and letting Dexter "take care of things" for awhile!

This book in the Dexter series takes a different approach than the other 2 books. I read a lot of the reviews here, and I was almost tempted not to bother listening to the audio book version I had. However, its a great read and it delves into Dexter - who he is, why he is the way he is, and what is important to him personally. This book isn't nearly as amazing or exciting as the first book, however it is well worth the read. You learn more about Dexter while he examines his life, his Dark Passenger, and his future. Yes, it was different in many ways than the first two novels, but then again, there are only so many pages that can be written about murder and stalking. If you're a dearly devoted Dexter fan, you will not want to miss this book.

Dexter in the Dark is a strong addition to Lindsay's wonderful Dexter series. This installment really drives home the importance of Dexter's Dark Passenger. Many reviewers object to the mythical element added into the story. However, I do not believe that Lindsay is actually saying that the Dark Passenger is a demon or anything to that effect. Like many religions and superstitions, the mythical "IT" is vague enough to be thought of as metaphorical, yet convincing enough to make some people think that it just might be real. The quasi-biblical passages are especially appropriate considering that Dexter's adversaries are a dangerous cult. Dexter's forays into superstition, such as investigating demonic possession, are perfectly believable for someone in a desperate situation. Though a literal magical explanation may seem ridiculous to the reader, it would be perfectly normal for a real person to consider a supernatural explanation when faced with something as mysterious as Dexter's dark passenger. So enjoy this story knowing that the mystical elements are probably metaphorical and the claims of the old man should be taken for what they are: the ramblings of a mad cultist.