Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter is a cold, calculated killer who kills without remorse and with an attention to detail that makes you shudder - but he is also one of the good guys.  When his foster father discovered that there was a monster lurking in the mind of his foster son, Harry schooled Dexter and taught him to hunt other people like him - other killers.  Years later, Dexter still lives by the code of Harry, hunting down the monsters of Miami and dealing with them one by one, satisfying Harry's sense of justice, and satisfying the Dark Passenger that lurks inside his mind.  He is careful about his targets and plans everything in advance, down to the smallest detail, and he has never been caught. 

But a new serial killer has entered Miami, a killer who seems to call to Dexter, who brings out the curious and playful side of the Dark Passenger.  Dexter is curious and cautious, this new killer intrigues him and he wants to know more, but there is also danger - some people already suspect that he is different, fake, pretending to be human.  If only they knew how right they were, that the friendly Dexter they know is a mask for the killer that lurks underneath.

This is the second time I have picked up this book - the first time was when the first series of the TV show came out and I read only a few pages before giving up.  Seeing it a second time made me reconsider and I am glad I did because it was a damn good read.  Dexter is a great character, and as the novel is told from his perspective you get amazing insight into the way his mind works.  You might expect this to be a gory novel, but it is surprisingly lacking in gore, what you get instead is a gripping read that keeps you guessing from beginning to end - although knowing there is more than one novel in the series kind of ruins some of the suspense.  A fantastic read and I can't wait for to read the next book in the series once I have cleared some room on my reading shelf.

If you like this book then try:

• I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells
• Violence 101 by Denis Wright
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski

Reviewed by Brilla