Dexter in the Dark (Dexter Series #3)

Dreary Disappointed Dexter

Ok I LOVED the first Dexter book, read it in 2 days and ran out for the second one immediately. Loving that one as well I just couldn't wait for the third to come out in paperback so I bought it in hardcover just to get as much of a Dexter fix as I can, and it felt like I was reading Dexter written by another author. The usual sharp wit and humor that made me laugh out loud in the first two was practically non existent in this one, not to mention the plot was just so far fetched to me that I was forcing myself to even finish the book. I sat there saying to myself 'I can't believe I care so little for reading this story when the first ones were so amazing and different from anything else I've been reading'. If I were you, I'd not spoil the greatness of Dexter by reading this book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Definately Different Dexter

This is the 3rd book in the Dexter series. I went into the book with an open mind after reading some reviews. I actually liked the book. It's different. Yes it seems that Dexter may have lost some of his wit and charisma in this book, but I chalk that up to the part of Dexter that's absent through out most of the book. This isn't your regular Dexter book, it's more of a supernatural murder mystery, and that's not a bad thing. Go into this book knowing that it's different and there are changes that happen to his personality and you'll enjoy it. If you're looking for more of how Dexter was in Books 1 & 2, stay away.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good third book in the series.

I really enjoyed this one. I really like how the tv series and the book series are different. One thing i really find enjoyable is that Aster and Cody are much much more interesting in the books than the tv show.

Not my favorite book

This third book in the Dexter series did not fit in well with the first two novels. As a result, I did not like this book as much as the previous two volumes.

This storyline was more about Dexter going about his daily life, (forensics, helping his sister, mentoring the kids, and planning his wedding to Rita) all while he is lost among his "genuine" human feelings without his dark passenger to guide him. Not to mention that someone wants to dispose of Dexter. A change in the pecking order can be fun. But, it was too long. It just did not work well in this format.

The entire volume lacked the customary dark humor combined with disturbing scenes that made the other books so enjoyable and quick to read. This third book should have been an on-the-side novella or short story to explain how his life would be without a dark passenger, and where It came from.

Additionally, the constant point of view (i.e. pov) changes were seemingly random. The strange placement of the alternate povs served only to disrupt the continuity of a book that was not great to begin with.

I liked that this book started out the way that they all do. An introduction by way of murder seems to work for these books. I also appreciated that he is teaching Astor and Cody about the "Harry Code". The kids need to get "squared away" before something terrible happens to them due to their own inexperience. The ending was good. It tied up some loose ends which is always appreciated by readers.

A reader could skip this book, and not miss out on much. It would be better if all of the mismatched subplots were contained in a bonus volume, or in an anthology setting.

For example, Dexter's wedding planning and subsequent ceremony would have been a good side story. Another extra story could explain how the first dark passenger originated and multiplied. It could even have been combined with the cult's history in a crossover episode.

Book three was too disjointed to enjoy thoroughly. I felt like I was reading multiple short stories that were jumbled together and then published, rather than the quality full length Dexter novel that I have grown to love. The recurring pov changes were totally frustrating. There were several interesting plotlines in this third Dexter book, but they just did not mesh well together.

-AvidReader

Just ok o Just ok for this one

Great Read!

it was a fantastic book i have been reading the series for a little over a month now, and i would highly recommend to any avid reader.

What?

I think you people with your bad reviews watched the tv show first and are judging the books harshly as it does not follow with the series word for word! I have wathced the tv series, but I can appreciate where Dexter came from! The book is a whole different world than that of which showtime has painted. I read all these bad reviews (not just on this series, but other books as well) and sometimes I wonder what people read...if they read the book at all! Maybe just part time readers...although they claim to be avid readers. I throw the penalty flag at you!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very Highly Recommended

This is THE scariest Dexter I have ever read!

Not as good as the 2nd book.

Without me telling the story I just didn't agree with certain aspects of it. The whole situation with Cody and Astor, it went to fast.. I mean darn, the kids already know what Dexter is. Dexter is still dreamy and very poetic.. and still very, very dark but seems to be missing his passenger this time around. That was awesome. I was able to see Dexter in his not so confident air..

Good Read

Lindsay explores Dexter's dark passenger like never before. You get to learn more about his mysterious passenger as Dexter tries to find out about it for himself. Truly fascinating.

Entertaining, but VERY slow paced

This was probably the most boring of the first three books in this series. The plot is very slow paced and most of it consists of Dex's rambling internal monolgue. I have heard others say that Dex can be whiney at times and in this book he is more than a little annoying. Took effort for me to get through this one, but did enjoy the murder mystery and getting to see how Dex himself handles fear that he so willingly instills in his own victims...

Quick and fun read

The whole spiritual element did not bother me as it did some others, I read some reviews that made it sound like this book went off the deep end. I really didnt feel this was the case

Read this book

This is a great story of the Dark Dexter, a dark hero. It may have some content that some readers don't like but i didn't find it a problem. The Molek theme is a good as any for a story about killers doing their terrible work of murder. I like the story, Lindsay is great at writing the story of Dexter and how he survives in the world under the code taught his by his foster father, Harry Morgan. I like the how the story in told in Dexter's voice and in his unique view of the world.

hmmm...

i really enjoy this series. this one was not quite as good as the first two i read...a little drawn out. however i am looking forward to the next one in this series.

Who wrote this?!

In my opinion, book number three shouldn't even be read. I'm convinced that Jeff Lindsay must have written this book at gunpoint. Just awful. Where did all of this supernatural garbage come from?! I had to fight through to the end because it was so bad. Nice to see I'm not alone.

Pass On This One...

This book is nothing like the others. Supernatural and other wordly makes the dark passenger aspect / person seem weak. Basically says that w/out this spirit Dexter is normal, nothing different. The only thing from this book that seems to have an importance for the fture is (***spoiler alert***)Cody killing a person for the first time.
I hope the author does not go this route in the future, it was distracting from the series. Did not enjoy this book at all. If you just have to read it, it's a quick read. Very disappointing.

Where Dexter should have stayed in the dark

Reviews of this book have been highly critical for a good reason. It completely departs from the style of the other books, and goes supernatural. We are also given a perspective of the thoughts of the dark god (parent of Dexter's Dark Passenger, essentially), eventually identified as Molok/Moloch (a Phoenecian deity, commonly referred to as Ba'al, although Ba'al is actually a titled held by multiple deities). Dexter worked well being set in the real world, and going off in this direction left a bad taste in my mouth. Ignoring that aspect of it, I still found it enjoyable enough. As a huge fan of the tv show that is based on the first book, the supernatural aspect is almost unforgivable. Thankfully, by the fourth book Lindsay is back on track (only obliquely mentioning the supernatural aspects of the third book). Although I did really like the aspect of him becoming a target due to whom he kills, not knowing his dark connections.

Great Book

Keeps you reading until you finish.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This one heads in a much needed different direction

SO GOOD! I absolutely love Jeff Lindsay's writing and characters & the dexter series altogether is fantastic & so unique. I was thankful that this book went in a completely different direction than the 1st two. I can't wait to get my hands on dexter by design!!!!

Dexter series

If you like smart, funny writing...these are the books for you. Fast reads....leaves you wanting more!