Dexter is back!

Dexter is Dead
by Jeff Lindsay

From Jeff Lindsay's Dexter website...

"After seven national bestsellers and eight seasons as one of the most successful shows on television, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lindsay bids a thrilling farewell to his uniquely twisted and beloved serial killer, Dexter Morgan. Dexter is Dead is the definitive conclusion of the character who has become a global icon."

"Dexter Morgan has burned the candle at both ends for many years. Blood spatter analyst...husband...father...serial killer. And now, for the first time, his world has truly collapsed. Dexter is arrested on charges of murder. He has lost everything-including his wife, his kids, and the loyalty of his sister. Now completely alone, Dexter faces a murder charge (for a crime...ironically...he did not actually commit). His only chance for freedom lies with his brother, Brian, who has a dark plan to prove Dexter's innocence. But the stakes are deadly, and the epic showdown that lies in Dexter's path may lead, once and for all, to his demise.

Jeff Lindsay's trademark devilish wit and cutting satire have never been sharper. Dexter is Dead marks the end of a beloved series, but is also Dexter's most satisfying and suspenseful outing yet."

Almost two years ago I posted a review of Dexter's Final Cut, at the time I believed it was the demise of Dexter. I was thrilled when I discovered Dexter was back, even if for only a short time (as the title suggests), in Dexter is Dead. Full disclosure, I have not yet finished reading the book. I don't want to inadvertently present any spoilers. What I can say is Mr. Lindsay does not disappoint. The next installment (and according to Lindsay's website, quoted above, the conclusion of the series) of Dexter (still in my head as Michael C. Hall from the Showtime series) picks up right where it left off in the seventh book. For fans of Dexter, Dexter is Dead will be available July 7 from your favorite book sellers. For those who have yet to be introduced to the Robin Hood of serial killers, I would suggest starting from the beginning of the series with Darkly Dreaming Dexter. 

I know ethically Dexter is wrong. However I love how he always took care of ridding the world of the bad guy, the one everyone believes should get his comeuppance. If this truly is the end of Dexter I must take this opportunity to say thank you to Mr. Lindsay. Dexter Morgan will go in my book as one of my favorite literary characters. I will miss him, but I know life goes on and there are so many more great characters you will share with us in the future.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Doubleday has provided a complimentary electronic copy of Dexter is Dead for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is strictly my opinion.

Is it really the end for Dexter?

I have enjoyed reading suspense novels ever since I read my first mystery. I'm not sure if it is thrill of anticipation, or the suspenseful conclusion that makes my heart race. I also love when the bad guy "gets it in the end". Well, with Dexter Morgan, I had it all rolled into one. Now, I am not saying Dexter is my Knight in Shining Armor, he is more like the Dark Knight watching from around the corner. I found the character of Dexter immediatlely intriguing when I discovered Jeff Lindsay's first novel about the sociopathic vigilante, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I read this wonderful book soon after it was released in 2004. The very next year I devoured Dearly Devoted Dexter. I was not at all surprised when in 2006 Showtime aired the first season of the series Dexter based on the first book. I have to admit, once I saw Michael C. Hall as Dexter I never veered from his image in my mind while reading. Even though I only watched the first four seasons, I was sitting on the edge of my seat every Sunday to see what injustice Dexter would try to rectify.

A few years ago I found Jeff Lindsay's Facebook page and Liked it, since I actually do love his writing and his characters. Last month Mr. Lindsay posted a link to Doubleday's fan giveaway. They were giving away 25 advanced copies of the newest (and supposedly final) book featuring Dexter, Dexter's Final Cut. I was THRILLED a few weeks after entering the contest to have a copy arrive at my front door. I know the book went on sale almost two weeks ago, so I am not posting any information die-hard fans don't already have access to, however I will not ruin anything for loyal readers or even new recruits.

Dexter's Final Cut
by Jeff Lindsay

Lindsay does not disappoint, well actually ~ he does ~ in the sense this is the FINAL book. I guess it could be considered unnatural to say I love Dexter, but as a character who takes care of those who have performed terrible acts of violence on innocents, he is like a modern day Robin Hood. I know it is a sin to kill, but he justifies his killings based on "Harry's Code" (his father's eye for an eye like theory). I will admit this book is not as graphic as the previous books (or if you have seen the series, not as bloody), but the storyline is suspenseful and hard to put down.

The introduction to the book took me by surprise and I was a bit concerned about Dexter. The first sentence, "It's not that bad being dead." almost caused me to close the book. I just couldn't face the fact that Dexter could be dead! Again, back to the creepy part about me really liking this person who in reality (or literary reality) is a serial killer. These are not the people you are supposed to be drawn to as a normal human, right?!? Thankfully I did not stop reading. I mean, how could Lindsay possibly kill off this iconic character in the first sentence? So, I kept reading.

Come to find out, Dexter and his sister, Deborah become involved in a new police drama which will be filming in Miami. Dexter is going to be shadowed by Robert Chase (a television heart throb - adored by Dexter's wife Rita) while Deborah will be shadowed by Jackie Forrest who will be starring in the drama as a character very much like Deborah - "a hard-as-nails woman detective" (pg. 13).  Being an active police detective and blood-splatter expert, Deborah and Dexter are quickly wrapped up in a murder investigation. This is where the blood and gore is introduced and the action begins.

I felt like I saw a new side to Dexter in this book. I know he has developed over the years from a bachelor, to a husband and instant step-father, but he seemed to show a little more depth and emotion (if you can actually call it that for a sociopath) in this "final cut". The title could be interpreted as a double entendre, which obviously was Lindsay's intent, but ironically Dexter doesn't actually do very much cutting in this book.

Like I said earlier, I did not watch the series after the infamous Trinity Killer, Arthur Mitchell ~ wonderfully portrayed by John Lithgow (who won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his character). Since I was a fan of the books, I didn't want the show to take away my desire to read each new book that was released. I guess I was afraid I would be disappointed by the series because it couldn't live up to the movie I had created in my head.

I am not going to say our devilishly, divine Dexter is dead and gone. I am not going to say he is dwelling in Denmark, Dubai, or even one of the Dakotas. All I will say is Lindsay has provide a unique manner in which to create an entirely new series as a spin off. I would love to see how he would develop this daring design. I don't mean to deviate from my devotion to Dexter. Hmmm, I guess you could say I am a fan.

Now that I know the books and the series (which actually veered away from the books and were developed with their own storylines in the seasons following the first) have ended I might decide to go back and watch the four seasons I missed. I guess when you think about it, Dexter is Lindsay's character, and whether the words are written in a book or portrayed on the television by an awesome actor like Hall, I will always remember the thrill of learning about Dexter, especially through his own words, "I am a very neat monster." (Darkly Dreaming Dexter, 2004)

Thank you to Mr. Jeff Lindsay for posting the information about the online contest. Thank you also to Doubleday for sending me a complimentary advanced reader's copy of Dexter's Final Cut.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Doubleday for providing a complimentary electronic copy and paperback advanced reader's copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Books to Movies

I went to the movies with my wonderful son yesterday. We had both been wanting to see The Adjustment Bureau, so we decided to go together, especially since my darling husband can't stand suspense movies. I LOVE them...the more on the edge of your seat, the BETTER!!

Now every time I go to the movies I watch the trailers very carefully. If one peeks my interest I immediately try to read the VERY fine print to see if the movie is based on a book. That is exactly what happened yesterday. We were sitting there watching the trailers and I see Matthew McConaughey come up on the screen. Don't get me wrong, I am very interested in the movie, but now that I see who is starring in the movie I am even more interested in the book. You see, whenever I hear a book is being made into a movie, I have to read the book FIRST.


I have heard of people going to see the movie before reading the book. I have even heard of people reading half of the book, going to the movie then reading the end of the book afterward. This never really makes any sense to me. If the book came first the author had a plan. They had a certain person in mind when creating each character. I want to see the setting and characters in my own movie, the one in my head before I see what the silver screen has imagined for everyone else. I will admit there have been times when the casting director has selected a much better looking character for the movie than I have (or in the case of Mr. McConaughey, SO much better...glad I caught the trailer before I got the book...more later) envisioned. Another case in point, Michael C. Hall, the ever loveable serial killer, Dexter Morgan, created by the talented Jeff Lindsay. I will be honest. I had read t least two of the Dexter books before the series premiered. The character I had in my head really was nothing like MUCH. He IS Dexter now and whenever a new Dexter book comes out I use the TV characters in my head to created what I am reading on the page. I can't wait for the next book...and season.

Now, back to Matthew. Like I said, as soon as I see him on the screen I begin to look for signs that this was first a book. Now that I remember, I believe the trailer actually opens with something about the book, maybe the author, Michael Connelly's name. Oh well it doesn't really matter...the important things are discovered...book, Matthew, lawyers, suspense, movie!

Okay, now for the obsessive part...as we are sitting int the movie theater watching the trailers (after Matthew has left the screen, of course) I go to my G2 browser, open the Webpage for our local public library, and attempt to put the book on hold. YES! While we are sitting in the movie theater!!! Now I was not very successful because I guess everyone else in the theater beat me to it! All copies were already in use or on hold. I couldn't believe it! What bad luck.

Well, I stopped browsing the library catalog for other reads, my son was mortified...but I was doing research! I guess it doesn't matter what your hobbies or profession, you should NOT browse the library catalog online while sitting in a dark movie theater. I know for a fact it was dark. So dark that I could not read the numbers off my library card so I could put the book on hold before the late comers to the movie found out and wanted The Lincoln Lawyer for themselves.

Like I said, I stopped browsing and watched the movie...no more books into movies trailers no need, right? Any way the movie was great, very enjoyable, suspenseful, and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with my son.

When the movie was over we were supposed to pick up my hardworking husband, but he was still working hard. He graciously told us to go to the nearby bookstore and buy whatever we wanted (I know I heard him say that, he INSISTS he did not!). Well, I wanted Matthew McConaughey, so I went upstairs to look for Mr. Connelly's novel. The book angels were smiling down on me because I found the only copy! I sat down and started reading. I must have gotten lost in the pages because all of a sudden my dear, sweet, loving husband was calling me asking where in the world we were. When I told him we were in the book store he told us to run out quickly before all of his hard erred money decided to stay. Shhhhhhh, don't tell him...some of it stayed. I could walk out of there without that book! Are you kidding me? The book angels had been so good to me and directed me right to the spot I need to be to locate this book. It was calling to me. I could not simply walk away! If I didn't show my gratitude, the little angels might not be so helpful next time. I just couldn't have them crying down tears of sadness in the bookstore...it might damage the books, and water damaged books are not something to laugh at (the smell, the mold, the...., you get the picture). So anyway I ran up to the register and quickly paid for the book I had already placed my very own bookmark in so I would know where I stopped reading. It is always wise to carry an extra bookmark, you never know when you might have a reading emergency!

I think this is more than enough blogging. I need to go back and see what Matthew (I mean Mickey) is going to get into next.

And always remember...
Never judge a book by its movie.  ~J.W. Eagan