DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER by Jeff Lindsay

Reviewed by Rebeckah Groves

Darkly Dreaming Dexter: A Daring Delve into Devilish Deeds

[Note: This review contains heavy alliteration. Not for the faint of heart. –Ed.]

Despite doubts that I had as to the decency of a drama dedicated to despicable dealings, Darkly Dreaming Dexter denied me the delight of dealing disparaging remarks to the book and deeming it dross. Instead, Dexter deftly demonstrates the destiny of the drama devoted to the decidedly devious: delectable, when done daringly.

My denial would deem Dexter a decent do-gooder—a devoted citizen doing away with demonic killers? Desperate, but doable! Yet deeper in me dwells the definitive knowledge that Dexter doesn’t deserve deference. Dexter is despicable yet dashing, deluding the dense denizens who dwell in his double-life with his debonair detachment and deterring them from discovering his devious devices. He deflects discernment while detailing dark decisions deep inside—he is dapper and decidedly dangerous.

Never dense or dreary but always daring a further detour into the dungeon of Dexter’s dreams, Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a delicious diversion for daydreamers drowning in daily drudgery. The doings of Dexter and the demise of his dastardly victims are destined for dinner-table discussion and deep debate.

In a word: Dexter dazzles.