Dexter in the Dark

Jeff Lindsay's third book in his adventures of the lovable yet homicidal Miami Police blood spatter analyst Dexter Morgan is something of a curve ball.

And that's not a bad thing.

A series that doesn't come out and try new things, that stays with a formula is a series that grows stale quickly.

Mr. Lindsay tries some new techniques and some unique ideas out in order to Dexter through the ringer this time around. For the most part it's successful and he is able to lead Dex down a dark and twisting path unlike any we have seen in the series so far.

How does he do this?

For the first time in his life, Dexter is made to feel fear.

The emotionless dispenser of dark justice finds something that lurks in the night that is darker than anything he ever imagined and he is afraid of it. So much so that his Dark Passenger goes into hiding and leaves Dex to fend for himself.

This gives Mr. Lindsay a very unique opportunity to explore Dexter's mind as he feels what it's like to be a human for the first time since his childhood. It also presents a chance for Dexter to contemplate his motivations and what makes him Dark Dashing Dexter.

Obviously I won't talk about the things he learns or much more of the plot. Other than as with the previous books, it moves quick and keeps you turning pages late into the night.

As with the previous books, particularly 'Dearly Devoted Dexter' my favorite scenes involve Dex interacting with Cody and Astor. Even the scenes with Rita have an element that I will always enjoy.

This time around Dex's foster sister, Sargent Deborah Morgan, isn't nearly as annoying as she was in the prior book. I still feel her reliance on Dexter to help her solves cases is a crutch that could be done away with. It makes her look insanely incompetent at times, granted the mystery she is presented with would be a challenge for most.

If there is one thing to nitpick it would be Dex missing bits of information that I'm pretty sure even the most casual reader was able to pick up. Now, again, Dex's state of mind in this novel isn't exactly where it normally, a strange word to associate Dexter with, is so that probably accounts for it.

Other than that, another excellent novel in fun and enjoyable series that continues to surprise by going places I never expected to be taken to.

So what is that can make Dexter Morgan feel fear? Go find out for yourself and have a blast!