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  • Darkly Dreaming Dexter

  • Dexter Book 1
  • By: Jeff Lindsay
  • Narrated by: Jeff Lindsay
  • Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (928 ratings)
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Darkly Dreaming Dexter cover art

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

By: Jeff Lindsay
Narrated by: Jeff Lindsay
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Summary

Dexter Morgan isn't exactly the kind of man you'd bring home to your mum. At heart he's the perfect gentleman: He has a shy girlfriend and seems to lead a quiet, normal life bordering on the mundane. Despite the fact that he can't stand the sight of blood, he works as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police.

But Dexter also has a secret hobby: He is an accomplished serial killer. So far he's killed 36 people and has never been caught because he knows exactly how to hide the evidence. And while that may lead some people to assume he's not such a nice guy, he tempers his insatiable hunger for brutality by killing only the bad guys.

However, Dexter's well-organised life is suddenly disrupted when a second, much more visible serial killer appears in Miami. Intrigued that the other killer favours a style similar to his own, Dexter soon realises that the mysterious new arrival is not simply invading his turf but offering him a direct invitation to come out and play....

Narrated by the author.

©2005 Jeff Lindsay (P)2012 Random House

What listeners say about Darkly Dreaming Dexter

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Delicious Downloaded Dexter

There is a very good reason why authors rarely read their own books for audio productions: most are simply out of their depth, not up to the job. But this is definitely not the case with Jeff Lindsey. Not only did he write this delicious story, he becomes Dexter, the police blood splatter expert who is also a serial killer.
Most people will be aware of the riveting television series. The book is slightly different but even better; Recounted by Dexter himself, we live with him through his every thought, see through his eyes as he talks to his Dark Passenger and interacts with the humans around him. The writing is excellent, too, darkly comical at times, with frequent fun alliteration.
Highly recommended. Now, time to start book two.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

Having seen the series I thought I would listen to the book and it is so much better than you could imagine would 100% recommend it and will be listening to the others in the series without hesitation

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The finale is missing

Would you listen to Darkly Dreaming Dexter again? Why?

I enjoyed the television series, and the book even more, as in addition to the story, it also gives us the meaning of events for Dexter. He's a more interesting character when you can hear his thoughts!

Any additional comments?

Sadly though, the author did not write the most important final scene. We find out what happens before it, and Dexter's thoughts about what he might do, and the aftermath, but not what actually happens. For me, this let the rest of the book down.

Even so, overall I found the audiobook enjoyable and worth listening to.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A good listen

Any additional comments?

This story, narrated by our superhero serial killer Dexter, was written in a witty way which certainly helped put a less intense note to the backdrop of the storyline, which is primarily about serial killing and mutilating bodies.

This was Well read and fun to listen to, the story was not too deep or involved and required minimal attention. An easy and fun audiobook worth a go if you're looking for 7 hours to kill.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Darkly humorous

What made the experience of listening to Darkly Dreaming Dexter the most enjoyable?

The voice of Jeff Lindsay was perfectly matched to the gallows humour often found in this book, he made Dexter feel alive and a normal person with a dark, yet oddly amusing habit.

What other book might you compare Darkly Dreaming Dexter to, and why?

I would compare it to American psycho because you get the sense that it is a man with a dark side to him. However where American Psycho veers off into the almost tragic tale and the bloody finale, not to spoil which hopefully I haven't, Darkly Dreaming Dexter almost feels like a uplifting tale so to speak

What about Jeff Lindsay’s performance did you like?

I liked his intonations and his performance as Dexter, I found it amusing to say the least!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I found that this was a book that needed to be listened to in bitesized chunks, or even better chapter-by-chapter as to be honest it wasn't the most difficult book to listen to.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastically funny, dark, dark humour

This is dark, dramatic, psychologically twisted and inappropriately hilarious. I binge listened - given that I use Audible to motivate me to move (I only listen while walking or running) I ended up getting quite a few hours more cardio than I had planned. I mean, holy cow. I walked ten miles after work yesterday because I had to hear what happened next. I cringed, shuddered, bit my lip and laughed out loud... Then got up early to walk again so I could hear the rest. The first chapter was jaw droppingly good, and it stayed good from there. The author's quiet menace and dry drolleries are just... Wow.

I have another seven of these to listen to. I am going to need new shoes.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great start to Dexter series

I have just finished reading. Jeff Lindsay does a great job of narration. I will definitely be listening to further books in the serires.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Silly

Any additional comments?

I did manage to finish it and overall I I quite enjoyed it. I had never heard of Dexter before and not watched any TV programme of the series but I can understand why it would appeal to Americans . I'm still try to decide whether it was just black humour or really very silly. I think both equally and I did chuckle on several occasions, but found the constant, flippant trying to be funny all the time a little bit too much. I thought the performance was really good and would certainly listen to him again but I don't think I'll be buying any more in the series.
All in all not for me

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

For a teenage audience?

First of I'd like to start by saying that the narrator for this book does a fantastic job. He really captures the creepiness of Dexter.

I have a feeling this book is meant for a teenage audience. The writing is far from mature although at times has some brilliance.

The character development and depth of Dexter is nothing short of superb. Unfortunately this great character is let down by almost (at times) child-like writing. The character Deb is used solely to explain things to the audience; therefore she constantly asks dumb questions. This is annoying, an easy way out for the writer and a complete contradiction to the character which at the start is described as 'good at her job'. On top of this the killer's identity and the ending had a very 'teenage horror movie' feel to it.

All in all I enjoyed the book but I won't be reading any more of the series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

tv show is better

the first season of the show is better. this story is good but a bit to far fetched also very rushed towards the end

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