Dearly Devoted Dexter

Dexter, Book 2

By: Jeff Lindsay

Narrated by: Jeff Lindsay

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

He’s a charming monster....
A macabre hero....
A serial killer who only kills bad people....

Dexter Morgan has been under considerable pressure. It’s just not easy being an ethical serial killer - especially while trying to avoid the unshakable suspicions of the dangerous Sergeant Doakes (who believes Dexter is a homicidal maniac... which, of course, he is). In an attempt to throw Doakes off his trail, Dexter has had to slip deep into his foolproof disguise. While not working as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, he now spends nearly all his time with his cheerful girlfriend, Rita, and her two children, sipping light beer and slowly becoming the world’s first serial couch potato. But how long can Dexter play Kick the Can instead of Slice the Slasher? How long before his Dark Passenger forces him to drop the charade and let his inner monster run free?

In trying times, opportunity knocks. A particularly nasty psychopath is cutting a trail through Miami - a man whose twisted technique leaves even Dexter speechless. As Dexter’s dark appetite is revived, his sister, Deborah (a newly minted, tough-as-nails Miami detective) is drawn headlong into the case. It quickly becomes clear that it will take a monster to catch a monster - but it isn’t until his archnemesis is abducted that Dex can finally throw himself into the search for a new plaything. Unless, of course, his plaything finds him first....

With the incredible wit and freshness that drew widespread acclaim to Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Jeff Lindsay now takes Dexter Morgan to a new level of macabre appeal and gives us one of the most original, colorful narrators in years.

©2005 Jeff Lindsay (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

" Dearly Devoted Dexter is fascinating, entertaining, and brilliant. Let Jeff Lindsay introduce you to the serial killer next door - Dexter (and his Dark Passenger) are the freshest, most terrifying creations you are ever likely to meet... and live to tell about.” ( New York Times best selling author Robert Crais)

“A macabre tour de force... so snappy and smart.” ( The New York Times)

amazing

this book is much better than the first. i wish the show followed the same plot.

Dexter is great!

I love Dexter and this unabridged portrayal is spot on. I also love when the author does their own reading. Highly recommended for new and old fans!

The dark moon catered to my dark passenger

Darkly dreaming Dexter was fresh and exciting even after being a long time fan of the show. The way Jeff Lindsay spoke in the Dark Passengers voice was chilling. How ever in dearly devoted it came off flat. The story was a bit boring at times and it felt Dexter doubted him self and is inability to be a monster. Still it was graphic and at times beautiful. I will be listening in on the others soon enough.

this storyline much different than showtime

I loved it. sways away from TV show, puts dexter against a truly demented foe

Surprised.

I was a fan of the Showtime show, watched every episode, including the dismal and horrific final season. It was beyond the excellent "Trinity" season that I realized that the show was based on novels by Jeff Lindsay. Now that a Dexter revival is coming, I thought why not? It's time! So I started with the audiobooks. Two in and I have to say... I am pleasantly surprised. I had major issues with the show, such illogical leaps despite such an intriguing main character. Now I see it. The novels capture Dexter's personality and essence, I mean, he originated him. Showtime duplicated this with excellent performances by Hall. HOWEVER... Linday's imagination and scenarios are far darker, and the only ridiculous aspects of it are threadlike inconsequentials that constantly allude to "the universe having an ironic sense of humor" anyway, so its forgivable. (But seriously, kids playing hangman for an hour? LEAP OF FAITH PLEASE) Lindsay's Dexter is humorous, ironic, clever, witty, and his dry dark nature IS the center of the story. His performance as a voice actor is pretty good. I am warming up to his voice more and more. My only critiques are as follows: - You live in Miami Lindsay. Come on. I'm Hispanic, Cuban American. You've been here your whole life. You totally butcher the Spanish words left and right and even said one not even CLOSE to right. Que vola hacere! - Dexter's constant allusions to being a robot, non-human, and the dark passenger as if it were another person that takes over. Ok. I have always liked that he referred to his dark side as the dark passenger. But the snickers, laughs, and miraculous guesses - ok its cuz he's a serial killer too I get as well. But sometimes, it gets a little ridiculous "Hmm oh yeah the dark passenger said to check real estate records". What? He's a realtor too? Also, by the way he acts, the way describes things, and forgets about important characters -- it is clear his emotions don't work like an average person. Saying it once in a while is understood for reinforcement. But it is said a lot. Every chapter. Every moment. I would care. If I only had emotions. These complaints are FAR minor, but explains only why I didn't give the story 5 stars all the way down. Very enjoyable, and I plan on listening to the rest of the series.

Great book

It’s was a great story very different that tv show and ever so interesting really enjoyed the voice and voices made by the reader as well

Great Novel, Not So Great Logic

Jeff Lindsay’s narration and variation of voices for different characters are masterful and keep me engaged. The book’s leading killer is by far the most gruesome monster Dexter has come across so far. So gruesome I would wager that it was too much to try to adapt into the Dexter series. The image of the killer’s victims is something I don’t think I want to see portrayed on television.

Sgt. Doakes gets a lot more time to shine in this book compared to the first novel. It was interesting hearing Dexter theorize about Doakes possibly having a dark passenger. Unfortunately, theories are all we’re left with. There’s more story that could’ve been told between Doakes and Dexter that was left on the table, but I’ll hold my tongue, so I don’t give away spoilers.

Dexter, Doakes, Deb, and a fed from Washington named Kyle Chutsky all teamed up to apprehend the killer, but how they went about it left me puzzled. It’s like they wanted to give the killer every opportunity to get away with murder. They knew who the killer was, who he wanted to kill, and why he wanted to do it, but instead of using the full resources of Miami Metro, the group decided to do things on their own and put everyone at risk. It was unnecessary.

The book ends with a loose thread revolving around Rita’s kids. I’m not enthusiastic about where that storyline is heading, but I think it will allow Dexter to express himself genuinely.

Same bits different parts

Dexter the show, is pretty accurate. there are a few differences. But I do enjoy the authors read. Worth listening if you want a more empathic approach. Don't listen if hungry, there is a lot of talk about sandwiches.

Narrator was the author.

I love when the author narrates his/her own work. You get a sense of the tone the author intended.

good story... unimaginative ending

Love most Dexter stories. I guess I just expected a bit more of a twist at the end. It seems like the author just phoned it in at the end. The rest of the book was awesome.