Dexter is Delicious

So, I finally finished Dexter.  It isn't that the book wasn't good, its that my older daughter was on Spring Break and we had a lot planned.  Our schedules got really mixed up!  

In this installment of the series, Dexter goes through a lot of human emotions throughout the book.  This is something that he has never encountered before.  He attributes this to the birth of his daughter, Lily Ann.  I admit, I was worried for a while that the author, Jeff Lindsay, was trying to close out the Dexter line, turning the Dark Avenger into Dex-Daddy who no longer feels the urge to kill.  Yes, the Dark Passenger was still there, still whispering sweet nothings in his ear, but Dexter was able to quench the voice, telling him to go away.  For a while, the Dark Passenger did go away, and it often left Dexter vulnerable and scared.

I was certain that the "bad guy" in this novel was someone from Dexter's past whom we all assumed was dead.  I imagine that in future novels will deal with this "bad guy," but for now, he is just another character.

I honestly wouldn't rate this book as high as some of the earlier Dexter books.  Yes, it was good, even suspenseful, but Lindsay kept alluding to Deborah being pregnant, and it was quite obvious, in my opinion.  He didn't actually have Deborah admit to her pregnancy until the very end of the book, and then sped through almost the entire pregnancy in a few pages.  Oh, perhaps I should mention that this is a spoiler.  I won't spoil the ending of the book for you, however.  

Lindsay continues in his wonderful manner of writing that I adore so much.  If only I could weave words like that.  I'm going to have to add previous Lindsay books to my long to read list to see how they compare to the great Dexter.

A new Dexter hits shelves on October 18, 2011; mark your calendars, I know I will be marking mine.

Dexter....How I Love Dexter

If I were to be asked (and answered without thinking) whether I like the show Dexter or the Dexter series books better, I would quickly reply the show.  If I were being honest, I wouldn't have an answer that easily, or maybe at all.  

The show is a hit, no doubt.  It is dramatic, suspenseful, sexy, all the things that make a great show.  I was a bit skeptical this last season after Rita died, but when I saw that Julia Stiles was the guest star for the season, I was hooked.  I happen to really like (love) her acting style, and I don't know that I've ever seen her in anything that I didn't like.  

The Dexter books, on the other hand, don't necessarily have all of the same attributes that the show has.  They are dramatic and suspenseful, but not to the same degree that the show is.  They aren't very sexy and there definitely seems to be more action in the show.  All of which I don't mind at all.  

The books are written so well.  I love Jeff Lindsay's writing style.  His use of alliteration never disappoints.  I never get tired of it or roll my eyes because it sounds lame.  Sometimes authors get very wordy when describing scenes in books, feelings, or thoughts.  Lindsay creates word swirls that leave me rereading parts because I find them so fascinating, not because of the exact content, but because of the way he is able to weave the words together in such a compelling manner.  I often highlight parts that amaze me to read to my husband later.  I don't think he appreciates the word webs as much as I do, but I make him listen.

Dexter does seem less "human" in the books than he does in the show.  Lindsay portrays him as this empty shell that lacks all human emotions.  Until book 5, Dexter is Delicious, which I am reading now.  At the birth of Dexter's very own daughter, Lily Anne, Dexter seems to develop the capacity to feel love, irritation, worry, among other human emotions that he isn't quite sure what to do with.  He swears to give up his dark ways as the Dark Avenger; to ignore his Dark Passenger.  I'm skeptical about his ability to follow through with his plan, especially with Cody and Astor excited about Dexter teaching them the Harry Code.  My skepticism is increased with the introduction of the book's "bad guy" however, I won't spoil it for you.