After a joyous honeymoon in Paris, Dexter is feeling pretty normal. But when a corpse is found displayed on a Miami beach, Dexter realizes another killer is on the loose.

Dexter Morgan has been under considerable pressure. In trying to avoid the deep suspicions of the dangerous Sergeant Doakes - who believes Dexter is a homicidal maniac (which, of course, he is) - Dexter has had to slip further into his foolproof domestic disguise. While not working as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, he now spends nearly all his time with his girlfriend, Rita, and her two children. But how long can Dexter play Kick the Can instead of Slice the Slasher?

A blood spatter analyst for the Miami police, Dexter has seen his share of gruesome deeds - and committed a few himself. But when he investigates a particularly terrible crime scene at a local university, everything changes.

Dexter Morgan appears to be the perfect gentleman. He is handsome and polite, and has been in a relationship for nearly a year and a half. Yet appearances can be deceiving, for Dexter is a serial killer who has slain many people. But in this tale, he's the good guy, for there is one little twist: Dexter only snuffs out other murderers. When another serial killer, with an eerily similar style, starts grabbing headlines, Dexter has a fairly morbid thought. Am I being challenged?