Dearly Devoted Dexter

As someone who has watched the TV series first, and only recently started picking up the novels, I enjoyed and recommend this novel for any fan. My memory is terrible, but I believe this was leveraged only partially as source material for the TV series. As such, it's new to me, and it's quite a thrilling ride. You'll have to make peace with the idea that this is a mystery or police procedural -- it really is just a story about the life of Dexter: our favourite serial killer. Once you get past that, you're left with Jeff Lindsay's description of a sociopath's point of view, and I find myself equally confused at the behaviour of the people around Dexter and sympathizing with him. The continuing tension between Dexter and Doakes is superb, and while there is a strange sort of finale, it's a satisfying one. Recommended.

I am fairly certain this was the background for the second season, and I think I prefer this one vs the TV series. Having Debra know about Dexter already, and eliminating LaGuardia (as she is B-plot and superfluous) results in a more streamlined plot... which is odd to say since Hollywood usually dumbs down the novel. I loved how Dexter ends up deepening his relationship with Rita and the kids (and saw that twist coming a mile away).

What really hurts though, is that I still feel the resolution of Doakes is weak. In the second season, Dexter was saved by his "girlfriend" at the time. In this novel, he's saved by Dr Danco. It's... disappointing. Dexter needs to face his villains!