Dexter, America’s favorite serial killer, has become something of a national sensation — first with a series of solidly written novels and then with his own Showtime series which stated with a loose rendition of the Darkly Dreaming Dexter and then struck out in its own direction. Below, you’ll find the Dexter books in order and further down the Showtime Dexter series.
Each week I pick a new series and detail it here — giving you the proper order. Click the mouse on the book covers to order these books from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.
To read a summary of the first book in the series: Darkly Dreaming Dexter, check out “Dexter’s Dark Dreams” on my blog …With Intent to Commit Horror.
 Darkly Dreaming Dexter |
Darkly Dreaming Dexter: A Novel (The Dexter Series #1)Author: Lindsay, Jeff |
|
Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing . . . a monster who cringes at the sight of blood . . . a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likable: He Only Kills Bad People. Dexter Morgan isn’t exactly the kind of man you’d bring home to Mom. Though he’s playful and has a wonderfully ironic sense of humor, Dexter’s one character flaw (his proclivity for murder) can be off-putting. But at heart Dexter is the perfect gentleman, supportive of his sister, Deb, a Miami cop, and interested only in doing away with people who really deserve his special visit. Dex is quite good-looking but totally indifferent to (and, frankly, a bit puzzled by) the attention paid to him by women. Despite the fact that he can’t stand the sight of blood, he works as a blood-splatter analyst for the Mmiami police department, a job that allows him to keep tabs on the latest crimes and keep an eye open for his next quarry. Dexter’s well-organized life is suddenly disrupted when a second, much more visible serial killer appears in Miami. Dex is intrigued, even delighted, by the fact that the other killer appears to have a style reminiscent of his own. Yet he can’t help but feel that the mysterious new arrival is not merely invading his turf but reaching out to him as well. This new killer seems to be doing more tha copying Dexter — he seems to be saying, “Come out and play.” Dexter’s secret life makes for a lonely existence . . . even a lovable monster can be intrigued by the prospect of finding a friend. |
|
 Dearly Devoted Dexter |
Dearly Devoted Dexter: A Novel (The Dexter Series #2)Author: Lindsay, Jeff |
|
Dexter Morgan has been under considerable pressure. In trying to avoid the deep suspicions of the dangerous Sergeant Doakes — who believes Dexter is a homicidal maniac (which, of course, he is) — Dexter has had to slip further into his foolproof domestic disguise. While not working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, he now spends nearly all his time with his girlfriend, Rita, and her two children. But how long can Dexter play Kick the Can instead of Slice the Slasher? How long before his Dark Passenger forces him to drop the charade of family life and let his inner monster run free? In trying times, opportunity knocks. A particularly nasty psychopath is cutting a trail through Miami — a man who “slices and dices and leaves vegetables behind.” Dexter’s dark appetite is revived, but it’s not until his nemesis, Sergeant Doakes, is abducted that Dex can finally throw himself headlong into the search for a new plaything. Unless, of course, his plaything finds him first . . . With the incredible wit and freshness that made his first Dexter novel a bestseller, Jeff Lindsay brings back one of the most original, colorful narrators in years, and signals the arrival of a superb new series. |
|
 Dexter in the Dark |
Dexter in the Dark: A Novel (The Dexter Series #3)Author: Lindsay, Jeff |
|
In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds . . . particularly because, on occasion, he commits them himself. But Dexter’s happy existence is turned upside down when he is called to an unusually disturbing crime scene at the university campus. Dexter’s Dark Passenger — mastermind of his homicidal prowess — immediately senses something chillingly recognizable and goes into hiding. Dexter is alone for the first time in his life, and he realizes he’s being hunted by a truly sinister adversary. Meanwhile he’s planning a wedding and trying to learn how to be a stepfather to his fiance’s two kids — who might just have dark tendencies themselves. Macabre, ironic, and wonderfully entertaining, Dexter in the Dark goes deeper into the psyche of one of the freshest protagonists in recent fiction. |
|
 Dexter by Design |
Dexter by Design: A Novel (The Dexter Series #4)Author: Lindsay, Jeff |
|
This novel set is not available at this time, but you can place a reserve on it by clicking on the book cover and requesting a hold using your CLEVNET library card. The macabre, witty New York Times bestselling series (and inspiration for the #1 Showtime series, Dexter) continues as our darkly lovable killer matches wits with a sadistic artiste — who is creating bizarre murder tableaux of his own all over Miami. After his surprisingly glorious honeymoon in Paris, life is almost normal for Dexter Morgan. Married life seems to agree with him: he’s devoted to his bride, his stomach is full, and his homicidal hobbies are nicely under control. But old habits die hard — and Dexter’s work as a blood spatter analyst never fails to offer new temptations that appeal to his offbeat sense of justice . . . and his Dark Passenger still waits to hunt with him in the moonlight. The discovery of a corpse (artfully displayed as a sunbather relaxing on a Miami beach chair) naturally piques Dexter’s curiosity and Miami’s finest realize they’ve got a terrifying new serial killer on the loose. And Dexter, of course, is back in business. |
|
Dexter: The Showtime Series
As a special treat I’ve included the Showtime/TV series Dexter based loosely on Darkly Dreaming Dexter. The first season followed the first novel but the following seasons tell a story different from the novels. Click the mouse on the book covers to order these DVD from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.
 Dexter: The Complete First Season |
Dexter: The Complete First SeasonFormat: DVD |
|
Dexter is based on the compelling novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. Orphaned at the age of four and harboring a traumatic secret, Dexter Morgan (played by Emmy- and Golden Globe- nominated actor Michael C. Hall from Six Feet Under) is adopted by a police officer who recognizes Dexter’s homicidal tendencies and guides his son to channel his gruesome passion for human vivisection in a constructive way — by killing those heinous perpetrators that are above the law or who have slipped through the cracks of justice. A respected member of the police force, a perfect gentleman and a man with a soft spot for children, it’s hard not to like Dexter. Although his drive to kill is unflinching, he struggles to emulate normal emotions he doesn’t feel, and to keep up his appearance as a caring, socially responsible human being. |
|
 Dexter: The Complete Second Season |
Dexter: The Complete Second SeasonFormat: DVD |
|
Dexter is a crime drama about Dexter Morgan a man who leads a double life as an incredibly likeable forensics expert for the Miami Police Department and as an emotionless vigilante serial killer. Taught by his foster father to harness his lust for blood and killing Dexter lives by his own strict moral code — he only kills murderers who can’t otherwise be brought to justice. Dexter is a killer who grapples with fitting into society while at the same time he struggles with his inability to feel emotion. The irony of Dexter’s life is that he works closely as a blood splatter analyst with the very people who hunt his kind — the homicide department. Dexter’s “Regular Joe” front is in full force while working alongside the ill-tempered Sgt. James Doakes who seems to be the only one to sense Dexter’s more sinister side and Lt. Maria LaGuerta the head of the division who pursues Dexter sexually with as much force as she would any criminal. While his sister Debra Morgan a tough and determined cop leans on Dexter for personal advice and career advancement the closest one Dexter “connects” with is Det. Angel Batista whose similar attention to detail and taste for forensics almost mirrors his own. While sentiment and feelings elude Dexter he struggles to find a kindred spirit of sorts in his emotionally damaged girlfriend Rita who keeps him grounded in the realities of “normal” life and provides him respite from the dark corners of his mind. |
|
 Dexter: The Complete Third Season |
Dexter: The Complete Third SeasonFormat: DVD |
|
This DVD set is not available at this time, but you can place a reserve on it by calling the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library at 216-932-3600 Dexter is an American television drama series that airs on American premium channel Showtime. Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a serial killer governed by a strict moral code who works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood spatter analyst. Dexter makes a new friend, Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits). However, there is much more to ADA Prado than meet Dexter’s eye. |
|
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting
Hi JamesD,
I’m glad you liked it. I’ll be posting about the other two Dexter books as the week goes on.