Would you believe I continued on to the second book? The charismatic serial killer is now forced into pretend retirement, as he is closely being watched by a colleague at the police department... Just when a new exciting neighbor comes to town, making Dexter's work look like child's play. The book continues to be a fast read. There is still a lot of repetition in the writing, about how Dexter really doesn't feel, about how devoted he is to his sister, etc... things that have been told 100 times in 100 different sentence plays. Interesting for another fast read. Watch out, though.. I think this may be a little more gory.

http://bactra.org/weblog/algae-2009-0... ( )

This is the second book in the series by Jeff Lindsay. Dexter, a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department and serial killer in his off work hours, seems to be a nice guy. As one of his co-workers becomes suspicious of his extracurricular activities and starts following him, Dexter starts to live a normal life visiting his girlfriend and her two kids. When a new killer leaves a living package Dexter’s dark side perks up in interest and the hunt is on. For the strong of stomach, this new episode is a good read with twists and turns as Dexter’s dark passenger wants to come out to play. ( )

Boy, this is good. This has some disturbing (if you think about it too long) elements but it's a great read. I enjoyed it tremendously. ( )

After reading the first book in this series last month, I figured I might as well come back and read the newer one. The basic setup is the same: you have Dexter, our serial killer narrator, only operating on those who slipped through the justice system cracks; his sister, a hard-bitten cop on the force; a police-side antagonist, making it harder for Dexter to get done what he wants; and another killer, even more unspeakable than our hero, who Dexter and the police try to track down.

Really, the main differences are in the details. We get more of Dexter's non-murderous life with his girlfriend and her kids, and it works well. It also provides what I felt to be the funniest moment in the book, and also the one that's the creepiest (and that's saying something). Also, if the main character types are the same, the characters themselves are a bit better. Dexter is more interesting in this one, I think, and the police antagonist, Doakes, is much more interesting than the one from the last book, who was consistantly portrayed as a bit dim. On the other hand, I liked Deborah, the sister, less here, and the murderer is less interesting, in a sense.

Still, the plot is good, and the writing is very good; Dexter's narration and the style of it is quite interesting, and he's a compelling character. The dialogue isn't always great, but the internal monologue usually is. And since that's the bulk of the book, it carries the day. I'll look into the next one... probably in paperback, which'll leave about a year or so between me and it, but I'll still look into it. ( )

The writing in this book is appallingly atrocious. I can’t believe I made it though the whole thing. Not only is the sentence structure appalling, but the guy is guilty of breaking the first rule of fiction; show, don’t tell. The first person perspective could have been used to so much better effect if he didn’t use it to have the guy talk about how unusual he is instead of showing the same.

But I did get through it. Doakes makes a pain in the ass of himself and when the diamond pinky ring (still around the now detached finger) of his old FBI buddy (and Dexter’s sister’s current boyfriend) turns up, Dexter pockets it and his girlfriend finds it and assumes it’s for her. Now he’s trapped; but the woman’s son is showing some psychotic tendencies and Dexter finds himself fantasizing about assuming his step-father’s role of tutor and coach. To shape the young psychotic into being a productive citizen.

Dexter is somewhat fascinated by the other killer in this novel. His technique is to strap the victim down onto a table and position a mirror at just the right angle above him in order to view the killer removing his hands, feet, arms, legs, ears, lips, nose and eyelids. All the while psychotropic drugs are flowing through his veins heightening his sense of terror.

Dexter does a bunch of dumb stuff, gets captured by said psychotic and has to be rescued by the owner of the pinky (and the ring, the same guy who Dexter rescued from the same killer before he had a chance to remove more than just the guys lower left leg and arm) and his sister who drills him in the chest with two rounds.

I’ll probably read another one because it is slightly interesting and makes me laugh in spots. But it annoys the crap out of me at the same time. And with Doakes permanently maimed beyond hope, Dexter will have free reign to unleash the Dark Passenger whenever he needs to. ( )

The second book in the Dexter series. This time Dexter is being watched by Sergeant Doakes and he has to lay low so as not to attract attention to himself. I found this a little annoying at times, sitting on the couch drinking beer and acting normal is not what Dexter is about, there's nothing thrilling about that so the first part was a little slow due to this. It soon picks up though and Dexter's true character comes out once again to hunt yet another serial killer.

Lindsay got quite creative with this monster and what he does to his victims is utterly horrible, but you can count on Dexter and his Dark Passenger to get to the bottom of it. He also explores more characters in this book and shows another side of Dexter's tough sister Deborah, which really irritated me sometimes. Of course Dexter's wit and insight on normal human beings as he's pushed into the family life makes the book highly entertaining.

Although not as edgy and well written as the first book it is still an enjoyable read. The strange thing is that whatever happens you still find yourself on Dexter's side, which is a serial killer himself. ( )

Dexter is back in this second book, and things have shifted in Dexter's world. He and his sister have the weight of awareness between the two of them. Dexter is being mercilessly stalked by Sgt. Doakes, so his normal activities are largely out of the question. He's settled in for a new life with Rita and her two children, but carrying the burden of Dearly Devoted Dexter can only hold his interest for so long...

Until things get interesting. When Kyle Chutsky takes over this investigation and a lot of time with his sister, Dexter's world gets a whole lot more interesting...

This volume is quick on action and on the perils of being a well-adjusted killer. Dexter is even given a chance to grow emotionally in the limited way that's available to one with his talents. ( )

The 2nd book in the Dexter series goes in a completely opposite direction than the television series - which was refreshing. I enjoyed the 2nd book a bit more than the first - the antagonist seemed a little more threatening to Dexter than that of the 1st. Add half a star to the 4 stars I have listed up there. ( )

I have come to the conclusion that Jeff Lindsay is one sick puppy. I don't know what that means about me, since I love his series of Dexter books, Dexter the lovable serial killer. It doesn't help that when I read his book, the voice I hear in my head is the same as on the Showtime Original Series and I keep seeing that cuties face.

This installment has Dexter being followed by Sergeant Doakes, which has lead Dexter to having to assume a 'normal' life, in danger of becoming 'the world's first serial killing couch potato.' He is saved from moving from Dexter Derailed to Dexter Demented by the fact that as he says, this is Miami, and a bigger badder inhuman monster shows up. It's a case that involves his sister who enlists Dexter's help to hunt down the killer, but can he do it without becoming his next victim?

Jeff Lindsay keeps the tone light-hearted with his witty patter and clever use of alliteration: Debonair Dexter, Dipsophobic Dexter, Daytime Dexter and my personal favorite Delicate Dimpled Dexter.

This is a quick and enjoyable read. Pure entertainment. I recommend this book. ( )

Gotta love Dexter! I just watched the 1st season of the TV series, too -- I love this reading and watching -- I feel like I'm never without Dexter... ( )

Fun fun twists and it's still the dexter I love. ( )

The second outing for the serial killer of serial killers evidences that Lindsay has learnt from his first endeavour. Dexter's wit and deadpan outlook on the human race is funnier, more outrageous and at times almost poignant, as he is once more caught up in the race to find a serial killer. The cast, which was established in the first novel, has room to develop in with 'Darkly Devoted' and are pivotal in the exploration of Dexter's psyche. The plot is well thought out, often playing to Dexter's Dark Designs, and offers plenty of opportunities to reflect upon his own lack of emotion, and more importantly, how to simulate emotion. Definitely builds upon the first entry; a recommended read indeed. ( )

I love Dexter's narrative voice in this series. The bad guy in this book is especially heinous, and I was surprised at how far Lindsay was willing to go with some of his main characters. I really look forward to the next book! Dexter has some interesting changes coming in his life. ( )

Started this one over the weekend at the same time that I finished watching season II on DVD. I love this show - it just gets better. I love the view from the book which is directly inside Dexter's head and then the show as it adds in all of the great characters. I was really disappointed to lose Doakes in the show - I'm wondering if he stays resident in the book. ( )

This is becoming one of my favourite series. Dexter is such a fun character and the writing always makes me laugh. ( )

In which we get to know Dexter a bit more as his Dark Passenger's murderous instincts are put on hold due to his nemesis Sgt Doakes' obsession with finding out what Dex really does. Unfortunately, this leads to Dexter ultimately helping to 'save' his life when a killer from Doakes' past comes to town.

Although always gruesome, complicated and completely involving, this is not quite up to the high standard of Dexter's debut, as Dex is handicapped by Doakes' interest in him. But we do learn that Dex would dearly love to find a young kindred spirit to teach as he himself was ... and that is really worrying, but of course augurs well for future outings for the vigilante antihero from hell! ( )

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4... ( )

A dark, quick read, but not as enjoyable as Darkly Dreaming Dexter or Dexter in the Dark. Still worth reading, and entertaining for all that. Lindsay's Dexter Morgan is a sociopath with ethics, which makes for interesting moral choices. ( )

I enjoyed reading this, although I did like the first one more. This book is really getting to know Dexter, rather than his 'dark passenger' I think. The crime is gruesome and not much is left to the imagination.

Brilliantly written, I look forward to reading the third one - almost immediately as I want to have read them before the television series starts next week!

A great writer, a great character and a great plot. ( )

Not as good as the first one, but definitely worth reading! ( )

Dexter has simply become my favorite sociopath. This installment in the Dexter saga has much more suspense and action than the first book while still retaining Dexter's trademark dark humor and razor-sharp irony. ( )

Creepy and awesome! ( )

Even better than the first. Hilarious and deeply disturbed. ( )

Not as good as the first, but enjoyable. ( )