Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Welcome to our discussion on Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter #1), by Jeff Lindsay, which is part of our Spring/Summer Collection Group Reads. Your discussion leader is Lisa.
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Summary

Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep's clothing. He's handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He's a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood spatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened—of himself or some other fiend.

Hi friends, and happy July. Welcome to the discussion of Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I've watched the series, but this will by my first time reading this one. I'll be getting started this week, just wrapping up Skin Tight. Looking forward to chatting with you all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series,reading the first book during the summer of 2014; it earned 5*s ...

Hi gang, anyone reading this one? I'm about halfway through...

Finished last night. I liked it but am finding it hard to assess objectively after watching the Showtime series. It may be one of those rare instances where the film/show version improves on the book, or at least does it well enough that reading the book doesn't grant much additional insight. It just felt a little blue-on-black for me. It's such an inventive plot, that I feel like it's a bit of a disservice to the book to have not read it first and attributing that quality where it's due. That being said, the book felt a bit too neat, a bit too cutesy and glib, perhaps, considering the topic. I appreciate the dark humor, but it was an odd mix of too much whimsy, for lack of a better word, with the darkness. Interested in other thoughts if anyone else has finished.

I'm still on the waiting list, looks like I will be for the next two months or so. I'll come back when I read it and comment here.

Hi Gem, please do! Have you watched the series?

Lisa wrote: "Hi Gem, please do! Have you watched the series?"

I think we watched a couple of episodes, but other than the premise I don't remember much about it. My husband didn't care for it so I'll have to find time to watch it alone.

I finally was able to get my turn with the audiobook, I was able to check it out last night and listened to it today. The author read the book, which I always enjoy. I think it brings a lot to the book.

I loved the writing, the way the author plays with words and uses phrases that he totally made up but you understand what he means. Wordplay is one of the things that draws me to an author and allows me enjoyment deeper than just the storyline.

I also enjoyed this book given it was set in South Florida as Miami is my hometown. I hate reading or watching shows where they change the names of things (like in CSI: Miami where they call the regional hospital "Miami General," there isn't a Miami General). I was surprised to find out the author is a native of Miami (he went to the high school my two younger children went to, Ransom Everglades, it's a great school) because he mispronounced a few local words that led me to believe he was a transplant. I loved the accent he used for the Hispanics, it was spot on.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I was finally able to get a copy.

Gem wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Hi Gem, please do! Have you watched the series?"

I think we watched a couple of episodes, but other than the premise I don't remember much about it. My husband didn't care for it so I..."

Great, Gem, I'm glad you liked it! Miami is just a great setting, and especially in this series. They did a great job making it feel like a character in the TV series as well.