Author: Jeff Lindsay
Series: Dexter #2
Published: January 2005
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
292 pages
Reading this Dexter book was different from reading the first Dexter book, for me, because the second book (and all subsequent books in the series) are not the same as the TV show at all, which is what I am firmly acquainted with. So compared to the first book, I truly had no idea what to expect.
This second installment of the series has Dexter start off with trying to track down a nasty killer pedophile’s accomplice. Alas, it is very difficult being a serial killer when your intimidating work colleague suspects you’re up to no good and has begun stalking you 24/7. Thus, Dexter finds himself spending more and more time with his “disguise” — his girlfriend, Rita, in an attempt to show Sergeant Doakes that he’s really a very normal guy.
However, Dexter finds himself on the same side as Doakes when another serial killer has made his way into town. Deborah, Dexter’s sister, insists that Dexter help find this crazed killer. However, Dexter finds it difficult to keep up his end of the bargain when he realizes Doakes is on the killer’s list … and if Doakes is gone, Dexter would be free once again.
I definitely enjoyed this novel, particularly since I had no idea what to expect from my favourite serial killer (… that sounds so wrong, I know. He’s fictional though!) Once again, Dexter’s witty and clever remarks have won me over, and I thought the new main bad guy, that other serial killer, was quite interesting as well. I don’t want to reveal the ending, but when his motivations were revealed, I was like, “Ohhhh! It all makes sense now!” Really, I should have seen it sooner, but nonetheless, it was creative and great.
I found this novel moved a little slower than the first, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Just an observation. The first book flowed quickly, while this one takes its a time a little more, though it’s by no means a slow book. I think this allowed for more time for not only Dexter’s character to develop, but others such as Deborah and Doakes as well, who were really rather minor and flat characters from the first book.
There are two things that kind of bug me however. The first is a spoiler for the first book so skip this paragraph if you don’t want to know — in the first book, in the end, Deborah finds out that Dexter is a killer. I really dislike how this second book didn’t delve into this issue at all. Deborah is clearly a very law abiding cop who is determined to throw every criminal in jail. I just feel so dissatisfied that there was absolutely no discussion about Deborah knowing about Dexter’s dark side. The only time it was ever mentioned was when Deborah asked Dexter for help and kind of threatened him with, “I know what you are.” To me, I think she’s trying to ignore the fact she learned that her brother is a killer, but still, I would have thought something would have been talked about between the two. For example, Dexter could have said something like I tried to talk to Deborah about what she saw and heard that night but she pushes me away each time, so I conclude that she doesn’t want to talk about it, wants to ignore that part about me. That’s just a crude example, but you know … something.
The other thing I dislike was the epilogue. I also didn’t like the epilogue from the first book. I found them both too short and they don’t feel like they properly wrap up the loose ends. Almost like they’re hastily tacked onto the end.
All in all, I was really into this book, as much as I was into the first and I would be, of course, reading the rest of the series. Just can’t get enough of Dexter! I love the mysteries and it’s just such a neat angle to have a serial killer chasing down a serial killer. I do hope the epilogues improve though.
My Rating: 5/5
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