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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Dexter by Design was a gigantic step forward from the previous installment of the series, Dexter in the dark. Although this was a way better book I still didn't find it to be all that it could be. The story line of the murders were wonderful and creative but the ending sort of fell flat until the very last sentence which gave me just enough to want to get into the next book immediately.
Having watched the Dexter series on TV I think I spoiled myself for the books. The writers of the show did some amazing things with Jeff Lindsay's characters and I do find myself liking the show more than the book series.
Having watched the Dexter series on TV I think I spoiled myself for the books. The writers of the show did some amazing things with Jeff Lindsay's characters and I do find myself liking the show more than the book series.
Jeff Lindsay must have been sweating sticky burrs waiting to see how this book would be received. Of course, the three previous Dexter books had done very well, so well that somebody went and gone and made it into a TV series, a CABLE TV series, complete with butts and the eff-word and everything. But now... will even Jeff Lindsay's dearly devoted fans prefer the original article - Book Dexter - or will they be so used to C. Thomas Hall's Dexter (or Anthony Michael Howell or is it Philip Michelle Thomas? Man, what is it with these three-name guys lately? Especially three BORING name guys? If your name were Crispin Chiwitel Sarsgaard, I could see whipping all that out - soup, main course, and dessert. But otherwise... it's too much trouble)...
What was I saying?
So, it's kind of an interesting choice that Mr. Lindsay has written a Dexter book in which - SPOILER - Dexter doesn't kill much of anyone, and Deb is lying in a coma for most of the book. There's less of that excellent Deborah swearing, and MUCH less hands-on mayhem. Please TELL me that this isn't because everybody's going to clean up their act and grow a conscience (or a sense of decorum). I imagine not. In fact Dexter by Design feels rather specifically like HALF a book. Maybe three-quarters. We're missing the third act, in which Dexter perks up, takes control of the situation, and murders a few people; and in which Deborah perks up, doesn't quite know what's going on, and sleeps with a few people. While charging around saying "fuck" a lot.
Call me shallow. But this is the shallowest shit I read, and I kind of want my shallow the way I want it.
On the other hand - "poop van" - I laughed so hard I woke my husband up.
What was I saying?
So, it's kind of an interesting choice that Mr. Lindsay has written a Dexter book in which - SPOILER - Dexter doesn't kill much of anyone, and Deb is lying in a coma for most of the book. There's less of that excellent Deborah swearing, and MUCH less hands-on mayhem. Please TELL me that this isn't because everybody's going to clean up their act and grow a conscience (or a sense of decorum). I imagine not. In fact Dexter by Design feels rather specifically like HALF a book. Maybe three-quarters. We're missing the third act, in which Dexter perks up, takes control of the situation, and murders a few people; and in which Deborah perks up, doesn't quite know what's going on, and sleeps with a few people. While charging around saying "fuck" a lot.
Call me shallow. But this is the shallowest shit I read, and I kind of want my shallow the way I want it.
On the other hand - "poop van" - I laughed so hard I woke my husband up.
Better than Dexter in the Dark, but probably not as good as the first two books in the series. Still, it kept me on the edge of my seat reading and I enjoyed it. :)
I think it is pretty much unanimously agreed that Dexter In The Dark was atrocious. Supernatural doesn't blend well with police/murder novels previously based entirely in reality. BUT NEVER FEAR, we are fully back in reality with Dexter By Design. But still... something felt a little bit off to me.
It starts off okay, with a series of art-based murders that somehow end up centering around Dexter. But then it starts to get a bit weird.
His training with Astor and Cody just seems bizarre. He seems to be floundering around a lot, not actually doing anything at all with them but still just occasionally dropping in brief exchanges of dialogue. It's as if Jess Lindsay thought that it would be a really cool concept for Dexter's stepkids to have these urges... but then wasn't really sure how to follow up on it. After that, the conclusion to the book also just seemed stilted. Also, is Rita the most naive and gullible human being ever?
As for Dexter and Kyle's little jaunt... why? How? Why would Chutsky decide to believe Dexter and go along with him? Because of Deb? I don't really buy it. Speaking of Deb, at first when she was attacked I actually felt something for a character (a first for this series) but then it seemed to fairly quickly turn around and become nothing more than just a motivation for Dexter and Kyle to act these ways.
And how many police questionings can Dexter REALLY avoid by simpling mumbling about a concussion and walking away? I am not a police officer, but I feel like they are probably more persistent than that.
Overall, this feels like a good enough concept that just seemed to get lost somewhere along the executional way.
It starts off okay, with a series of art-based murders that somehow end up centering around Dexter. But then it starts to get a bit weird.
His training with Astor and Cody just seems bizarre. He seems to be floundering around a lot, not actually doing anything at all with them but still just occasionally dropping in brief exchanges of dialogue. It's as if Jess Lindsay thought that it would be a really cool concept for Dexter's stepkids to have these urges... but then wasn't really sure how to follow up on it. After that, the conclusion to the book also just seemed stilted. Also, is Rita the most naive and gullible human being ever?
As for Dexter and Kyle's little jaunt... why? How? Why would Chutsky decide to believe Dexter and go along with him? Because of Deb? I don't really buy it. Speaking of Deb, at first when she was attacked I actually felt something for a character (a first for this series) but then it seemed to fairly quickly turn around and become nothing more than just a motivation for Dexter and Kyle to act these ways.
And how many police questionings can Dexter REALLY avoid by simpling mumbling about a concussion and walking away? I am not a police officer, but I feel like they are probably more persistent than that.
Overall, this feels like a good enough concept that just seemed to get lost somewhere along the executional way.
Thing got a little farfetched in this...Dexter seemed to be flying by the seat of his pants rather than his normal in control self. But still a lot of fun.
dark
funny
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
Who doesn't love a good-hearted serial killer book? Any lover of art and gore (Julia - are you there?) needs to read this installment of Dexter (but start with the first book). It's disgusting and entertaining and attempts a little to explore the minds of crazy people, I mean artists. And crazy people, yes.