Dexter by Design: A Novel
by Jeff Lindsay
List Price:
Our Price: $24.00
You Save: $1.00 (4%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.89 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Jeff LindsayEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-09-08
ISBN: 0385518366
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Reviews of Dexter by Design: A Novel
Book Review: "Maintaining our illusions is an important part of life's work."
Summary: 5 Stars
In "Dexter by Design," Jeff Lindsay makes a bold move and it pays off. The first three books of the series are filled with twisted humor and dark satire; they are also nauseatingly violent and gruesome. Dexter has always reveled in his passion for inflicting pain on those who deserve it. Now, much to his consternation, Dexter is experiencing stirrings of vulnerability, guilt, and even compassion. Although a normal person might welcome this development, Dexter is chagrined. Since he was a child, the strongest feeling that he had was the joy of murdering, dismembering, and disposing of his victims. What is one to make of this Drastically Different Dexter?
Part of the change may stem from Dexter's new living arrangements. After a honeymoon in Paris, he is settling into a domestic routine with his devoted wife and stepchildren, Cody and Astor. Dexter returns to his job as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department and he looks forward longingly to resuming his favorite pastime--hunting at night with his ropes and cutting tools. However, Dexter soon learns that he has a competitor for the title of Miami's sickest dude. Someone is leaving dead bodies decorated with floral arrangements and tropical fruit in various spots around the city. The stakes are raised when an individual whom Dexter cares about is attacked and seriously wounded. The Dark Passenger is stirring once again, and Dexter's newfound humanity may not be enough to keep him from exploding with rage.
"Dexter by Design" is Lindsay's most accomplished work to date. Although Dexter (who still refers to himself alliteratively in the third person) insists that he has no soul, his actions belie his words. After he commits a brutal act that may have stemmed from an error in judgment, he is remorseful and frightened of the possible consequences. For the first time in his life, Dexter is at a loss, and he turns to others to help him find his way. In spite of his angst, Dexter continues to amuse us with clever wisecracks that are often tasteless, outrageously inappropriate, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Adding to our delight is the excellent supporting cast. Rita, Dexter's wife, fusses lovingly over her new husband; Cody and Astor eagerly await further lessons from Dexter in how to commit mayhem and get away with it; Dex's sister, Deb, and her clingy boyfriend, Kyle Chutsky, show sides of themselves that we have never seen before. The author keeps us guessing as to who is on the rampage in Miami and why. How will this villain react when he learns that Dexter is out to get him? Dexter's adversary proves to be a devious and vicious psychopath who threatens everything that our hero holds dear. "Dexter by Design" is a hilarious, suspenseful, and action-filled thriller. The twists and turns keep coming at a furious pace and the ending is a humdinger, with a major surprise that promises to keep this series fresh for some time to come.
Literature & Fiction Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Literature & Fiction Books
Little Womenby Louisa May Alcott
Scribner; Published: 1986-06-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
The Killing Groundby JACK HIGGINS
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS LTD; Published: 2007; Hardcover; Book
Saving Fish from Drowningby Amy Tan
4th Estate; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Life Expectancyby Dean Koontz
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2005-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Constant Princessby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone/Simon & Schuster; Published: 2005; Hardcover; Book
Wolf of the Plains (Conqueror, Book 1)by Conn Iggulden
Harper; Published: 2007; Paperback; Book
Saharaby Clive Cussler
Harper Collins Pb; Published: 2005-03-21; Paperback; Book
Perelandra (Cosmic Trilogy)by C. S. Lewis
Voyager; Published: 2005-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
The Lord Of The Rings: Part 2 The Two Towersby J. R. R. Tolkien
Harper Collins Publishers; Published: 2001; Paperback; Book
Red Marsby Kim Stanley Robinson
Trafalgar Square; Published: 2001-06; Paperback; Book
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Darkly Dreaming Dexterby Jeff Lindsay
Vintage; Published: 2009-08-25; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.24
Dearly Devoted Dexterby Jeff Lindsay
Vintage; Published: 2010-01-26; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
Double Dexter: A Novelby Jeff Lindsay
Doubleday; Published: 2011-10-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.88
Price in other shops:
Darkly Dreaming Dexter: A Novelby Jeff Lindsay
Doubleday; Published: 2004-07-20; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $99.99
Dearly Devoted Dexter: A Novelby Jeff Lindsay
Doubleday; Published: 2005-07-19; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $99.50
Dexter in the Dark: A Novelby Jeff Lindsay
Doubleday; Published: 2007-09-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.69
Price in other shops:
Dexter Is Deliciousby Jeff Lindsay
Doubleday; Published: 2010-09-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.73
Price in other shops:
Dexter in the Darkby Jeff Lindsay
Vintage; Published: 2008-09-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.84
Price in other shops:
Dearly Devoted Dexterby Jeff Lindsay
Vintage; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Darkly Dreaming Dexterby Jeff Lindsay
Vintage; Published: 2006-09-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.18
Price in other shops: