Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay (2006)

I heard about the show from a friend and decided to order the books. this first book in the series is great. I have also ordered the books on cd and the first two seasons of the dvd's of the show. This has got to be one of the best series I have ever read or seen. Had to have all versions for my own.

I loved the series "Dexter" on SHOWTIME and this book was based on the first season. Dexter Morgan portrays a blood spatter analyst in Miami, Fl by day, who is a serial killer by night. He is a killer-but not like any run of the mill bad guy. No, Dexter is a killer of the really BAD guys that have managed to elude the law-in effect a vigilante for justice, using the Code of Harry-his deceased step father, who was a cop in Miami before his death from Cancer. Harry recognized his step son's morbid sense of justice and channeled Dexter's actions to only go after the most evil monsters by the use of a 'code', or test of guilt, yet still hide his deeds from the law and his step sister-Debra (also a police officer)
The series is complex and expertly written by Jeff Lindsey, who lives in South Florida-as I used to. I enjoy reading the references to the Florida scenery and tourist areas. The writer draws you in more using these familiar scenes, like Coconut Grove restaurants, Calle Ocho in Miami, and Little Havana, to name a few.
The only thing that I can say that I don't like is that the book ends too soon...it keeps you in suspense till the end and keeps me wanting more. (There are two other novels so far, and I have one of them!)
If you missed the first season, and don't know how it ends-then pick up this book and just try to figure out what is going on-I dare you!

I had been watching the TV Series, Dexter, for about a month and had fallen so in love with the way it was narrated I went looking for more information. I then discovered there were books before the series, which are written with the same creepy, yet absolutely beautiful and poetic structure as the show. The book is almost word for word to the first season of the series, but it is fantastic and worth the read even if you've already seen the first season. I found this book to be very well written and captivating and look forward to reading the rest of the series, which unlike this book was to the first season, is supposed to differ greatly from the 2nd season of Dexter.

I bought this after watching the Dexter series on Showtime, figuring the show was great and the book would be even better. The book was good but alot of differences from the show, which is typical. I actually think I liked the Showtime series better than the book, they expanded alot more and went into detail alot more. Still enjoyed the book, just wasn't on the edge of my seat as expected to be, we'll see how the second one goes

When I first saw the show Dexter I was hooked. I watched the entire first season and loved it. I was afraid that when I read the book it would be pretty much the same thing. I was wrong. The book was along the same lines, but not the same story at all. Now I am reading the next one in the series "Dearly Devoted Dexter". I have not seen the second season of Dexter on TV yet, so I hope I will be pleasantly surprised.

Great book. The Showtime series now on CBS prompted me to read it. I have now read all three. Disappointed the show doesn't follow the book very closely. I do love the show.

I am one to buy books before watching it on TV or in theatres; hence, the purchase. If you like the whimsical side of Hannibal Lechter then you will love the humor of the antagonist character of Dexter. Dexter is a serial murderer who enjoys dismembering and fileting his prey. He is a "good" serial murderer in that he only kills "bad" people. He also works in the Miami Homicide division as a blood splatter analyst. His sister is also in homicide and he aids her in deciphering clues of other serial murderers. In that he is a warped expert himself, his perspective is always helpful to his dearly devoted sister. Do not read this book if you have anything else important going on...you will be glued to your seat. This book is a fabulously scary and fun read.

Dexter is the sociopath you want to take to lunch. Mainly because you don’t know what he has done the night before and he hides that fact from the people around him very well. Not only can he act charming and fake his emotions, he is very adept at figuring out who the bad guys are. His skill brings new meaning to “It takes one to know one”.
I really liked the book and although the TV show follows the written story line for the most part, there are some deviations. The subtle humor mixed with the good plot development has gotten me hooked and now I have to buy the rest of the series to read.
I can’t think of anything that I would really change to make it better. The book is well thought out and the ending, although unexpected, fits with the rest of the story.
I’m just hoping Dexter is as good in the other two books that are currently released.

Having seen the Showtime (and not CBS) series "Dexter," I decided to check out the book that inspired it all. This is a very quick read, and a satisfying one, setting you up the want to get to the next book. So far there are three books in the series, and this is the first--and definitely worth the read. Interestingly enough, "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" is written in first person form; but the twist is that often Dexter refers to himself in 3rd person. This makes the reading experience that much richer, and that much more intriguing. Recommended book, recommended series. Lindsey has a winner!

This book has got a great story line. Currently #1 of 3. I would recommend this to anyone that liked the tv series.

I have been watching the Dexter series on Showtime for a year now and LOVED them. At one point I realized that the shows originated from a series of books written by Jeff Lindsay. So I decided to do some shopping around for these books and bought them. They follow the series closely and are very easy to read, the kind of book that you can't put down!

You've got to give Lindsay props for writing a character as unique as Dexter. Complicated yet shallow, good yet evil, boring and interesting.

We bought the books because we were such big fans of the show. It really makes a difference having a team of writers versus a sole writer.

The book was entertaining, and some aspects are different from the show. It is not as exciting as the show, but I've heard that the second and third books are much more interesting because they are completely different from the show.

Overall, because of it's topic, it's a good read. If you haven't seen the show, you won't be disappointed. If you are a fan of the show, stick with it and get this book out of the way so you can read the others.

I bought Darkly Dreaming Dexter for a Serial Killer class I took at my University. It was a summer class, and my time was limited to one week. I could not put the book down once I started reading it. Jeff Lindsay wrote this book so well that I found myself staying up after midnight reading it. The book was funny, even though it was about a serial killer who is a neat freak. Jeff Lindsay also stayed true to the type of serial killer that Dexter was, organized. I have never seen the Showtime Series about the book, but I dont feel like anyone needs to watch the show to enjoy the book.

The characters in the book felt like real people to me. The writing was that good. Dont let the cover of the book turn you off, anyone that picks up this book is going to have a hard time putting it down. I passed the book on to my sister after I read it. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

I would like to read more of Jeff Lindsay's work. I have no negative comments about this book. It was an excellent read.

If you have ever seen the show then you understand.The series id excellent,and the books are of equal enjoyment.If you like those books were you find an unlikely hero then this will work for you!

Dexter is funny and strange,and that's his best traits.He might be a serial killer,but he works on the right side...somehow.

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the book is alright

I LOVED this book! I could not put it down. The writer has style, taste and was able to capture my attention - with all honesty - I stated after college I would never read another book in my life :). Thank you for the wonderful escape!

After watching a few of the episodes of Showtime's "Dexter", I knew I had to read the book from which the show evolved. Jeff Lindsay has taken a theme previously not realized (a serial killer who preys on other serial killers) and makes us truly like Dexter.

Dexter is an unfeeling, unemotional young man who trys his best to fit in with the real world. Due to the events in his adolesent life, he can not help being the way he is. He has seen things in this world that are only believable in horror movies.

One will actually feel sorry for him, and you can't help but cheer him on for the things he does in the cover of darkness. Some people just deserve to die for the way they treat others, and Dexter helps them see the ways of their evilness.

I can hardly wait for the 3rd installment of this series.