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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Although I enjoy the TV series, I've always found the Dexter novels to be somewhat less interesting, despite coming first. Although the plot ideas are fun and thought provoking (much like Jodi Picoult), I've never been able to get drawn into Lindsay's books. There's something off about his writing style that I find difficult to read. There are also frequent passages that are slow, and I find his novels have started to become rather formulaic. Dexter always manages to find the villain, and said villain meets his maker, and all is wrapped up in the last two chapters.
In saying all this, what saved the novel for me was several things. Although Debra/Deborah is one of my favourite characters in the Dexter series, I have often found that she is shoved the sidelines in favour of Dexter's constant obsession with food. However, in this chapter of Dexter's life, it was good to see her start questioning her loyalty and whether she truly enjoys being a police officer or if she's just following in the family footsteps.
The modern art flavour was also good in the book, and I enjoyed the concept of 'Jennifer's Leg'. I did find it a bit of a stretch, though, for Dexter to travel to Havana and Cancun without trouble, and then back to Miami with no question. I suppose, though, that a suspension of disbelief is needed whilst reading these novels. Furthermore, I can only wonder how many people need to start questioning Dexter before any action is taken. Is Dexter's mask as good as he truly makes it out to be? Hopefully the next follow up to the books, Dexter is Delicious, will actually see some legal action taken against him.
In saying all this, what saved the novel for me was several things. Although Debra/Deborah is one of my favourite characters in the Dexter series, I have often found that she is shoved the sidelines in favour of Dexter's constant obsession with food. However, in this chapter of Dexter's life, it was good to see her start questioning her loyalty and whether she truly enjoys being a police officer or if she's just following in the family footsteps.
The modern art flavour was also good in the book, and I enjoyed the concept of 'Jennifer's Leg'. I did find it a bit of a stretch, though, for Dexter to travel to Havana and Cancun without trouble, and then back to Miami with no question. I suppose, though, that a suspension of disbelief is needed whilst reading these novels. Furthermore, I can only wonder how many people need to start questioning Dexter before any action is taken. Is Dexter's mask as good as he truly makes it out to be? Hopefully the next follow up to the books, Dexter is Delicious, will actually see some legal action taken against him.
Mostly enjoyable continuation (and we are out of the demony forest that was book 3; just the usual 'fluttering of the Dark Passenger's wings' rather than a whole litany of demon-nonsense). At first I was surprised that the tv show hadn't borrowed from this plotline more, but it would probably be a lot of work to make the, er, 'art display' pieces (constructed from body parts; hence the 'overly visceral tag', though the descriptions really weren't that bad compared to other stuff I've read recently), so maybe that's why it didn't.
So, Dexter vs the Angry Artist could be an alternate title for this one. Or Artists, but the first Artist went down without much of a fight, though his laughter did make me suspect. This left his boyfriend to pick up the pieces and try to take out Dexter on his own.
It was a longer game of cat and mouse than we've seen so far in the Dexter books, with one bit that felt entirely unnecessary to me. My best guess is that the author thought, "You know what? I haven't done anything to remind readers that Chutsky is a bad-ass military-spy dude in a while. I should do that." Only, the thing done just felt like a silly road-movie-to-Cuba which didn't really do anything to advance the plot, imo. YMMV on that. Once that was over, the plot picked up again, and the baddie killed off the cop who was being a bit suspicious of Dexter, particularly after, leaving Dexter to swoop in for long enough for the would-be victim, , to save themself.
Looking forward to the next one.
Note: if there were more LGBTQ rep in the books, this bit would feel less like 'bury your gays'. Sadly, I cannot think of any other LGBTQ characters from the books, at all. If there are any, they were not MCs and were only mentioned in passing. * shrugs * OTOH, the only other stereotypical bit is that they were artists.
So, Dexter vs the Angry Artist could be an alternate title for this one. Or Artists, but the first Artist went down without much of a fight, though his laughter did make me suspect
Spoiler
that there was a camera on premises. There was.It was a longer game of cat and mouse than we've seen so far in the Dexter books, with one bit that felt entirely unnecessary to me. My best guess is that the author thought, "You know what? I haven't done anything to remind readers that Chutsky is a bad-ass military-spy dude in a while. I should do that." Only, the thing done just felt like a silly road-movie-to-Cuba which didn't really do anything to advance the plot, imo. YMMV on that. Once that was over, the plot picked up again, and the baddie killed off the cop who was being a bit suspicious of Dexter, particularly after
Spoiler
he saw some of the video of Dexter chopping up the boyfriend. No face visible, but, yeah, still looked like DexterSpoiler
RitaLooking forward to the next one.
Note: if there were more LGBTQ rep in the books, this bit would feel less like 'bury your gays'. Sadly, I cannot think of any other LGBTQ characters from the books, at all. If there are any, they were not MCs and were only mentioned in passing. * shrugs * OTOH, the only other stereotypical bit is that they were artists.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
Though this was an improvement on the 3rd book, with no more of the supernatural stuff that appeared in that book, still, it didn't really grab me. Maybe I'm just bored with Dexter.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The dark passenger is making fewer and fewer appearances with each book. Need to get back to the basics.
Compared to the previous book in the series, this one is more true to form. But it has begun to do something that I would have previously considered very unlikely, character growth of a serial killer. Sure Dexter isn't the normal serial killer--but the author could have built a successful franchise without any growth. Instead we are treated to an actual living breathing character developing in unexpected but believable ways.
really thought the series was lacking but it picked up with this book i just wanna give dexter a kiss on the forehead *mwah*