Double Dexter

Last updated
Double Dexter
Double Dexter Cover.jpg
First edition (US)
Author Jeff Lindsay
LanguageEnglish
SeriesDexter Morgan
Genre Crime novel, Mystery
Publisher Doubleday (US)
Orion Books (UK)
Publication date
October 2011
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages320
ISBN 978-0-385-53237-2
Preceded by Dexter Is Delicious  
Followed by Dexter's Final Cut  

Double Dexter is the sixth novel written by Jeff Lindsay, and the sixth book in the Dexter book series about Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who targets serial killers, pedophiles, and other murderers. The book was released on October 18, 2011, and received a universally positive critical reception, praised as the best Dexter novel so far. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

As he is dismembering a pedophile, Dexter Morgan spots a witness who flees in a battered Honda. He begins to spend his evenings hunting for the car. His wife Rita, suspecting an affair, starts drinking wine. Meanwhile, Deborah manages to solve a series of ritualistic murders targeting Miami cops. The resulting media attention spills over onto Dexter, whose name and picture are publicized for the first time. After recognizing Dexter, the witness e-mails and attempts to blackmail him. Dexter studies the witness' blog, finding no clues other than his ex-wife's first initial. Dexter begins to think of his antagonist as the Shadow, after his online moniker.

Dexter eventually finds the Honda belonging to Alissa Elan, the Shadow's ex-wife. He returns at night but finds that the Shadow – Bernard Elan – has anticipated his visit, mutilated Alissa in imitation of Dexter's style, and called the police when he arrived. Dexter narrowly escapes. Bernard, a skilled computer hacker, alters relevant databases to indicate that he died two years ago. Later, Dexter's coworker Camilla Figg is found beaten to death, casting doubt on Deborah's arrest. Dexter notices differences from the cop-killings, but Hood, the detective in charge, ignores him. It emerges that Camilla had hundreds of photographs of Dexter, having had an obsessive crush on him. Hood makes Dexter the prime suspect.

Another message from Bernard confirms that he killed Camilla. Dexter eventually learns that he is now using the alias Doug Crowley, but cannot kill him because of Hood's surveillance. He asks his brother Brian to do so, only for Brian to mistakenly kill the real Doug Crowley. Dexter takes his family on a trip to Key West, where Rita attends an auction of foreclosed houses; Hood and Bernard both follow. Bernard kills Hood and leaves him in Dexter's hotel suite, then takes Astor and Cody to Garden Key. However, Dexter reaches the island first and manages to subdue Bernard with Astor's help. Bernard is tossed overboard and is killed by a shark. After returning from Key West, Dexter breaks into the deceased Hood's apartment and plants evidence on his computer implying he killed Camila, clearing himself of suspicion.

Reception

The Telegraph said of the book, "Hilariously gruesome finale....All this ought to be gross nonsense but Jeff Lindsay’s cynical wit makes it fly". [1] The Orlando Sentinel called it the best book of the series yet, saying the book "takes a tremendous leap forward as the author utilizes believable storytelling and large doses of dark humor" and "strongest outing as he richly delves into Dexter's very scarred psyche". [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dexter</i> (TV series) American crime drama TV series (2006–2013)

Dexter is an American crime drama television series that aired on Showtime from October 1, 2006, to September 22, 2013. Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in blood spatter analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities. The show's first season was derived from the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004), the first in a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay. It was adapted for television by James Manos Jr., who wrote the first episode. Subsequent seasons evolved independently of Lindsay's works while using many of the same characters and concepts.

Debra Charlotte Morgan is a fictional character created by Jeff Lindsay for his Dexter book series. She also appears in the television series, based on Lindsay's books, portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter. In Lindsay's novels, she first appeared in Darkly Dreaming Dexter and was featured in every novel in the series. Debra is the sister of the series' antihero protagonist Dexter Morgan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter Morgan</span> Fictional character from the Dexter book and TV series

Dexter Morgan is a fictional character introduced as the antihero protagonist of the Dexter book series written by Jeff Lindsay, as well as the television series of the same name. In the television series, Dexter is portrayed by Michael C. Hall.

<i>Darkly Dreaming Dexter</i> 2004 novel by Jeff Lindsay

Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a 2004 novel by Jeff Lindsay, the first in his supernatural crime horror series about American forensic analyst/serial killer Dexter Morgan. It formed the basis of the Showtime television series Dexter and won the 2005 Dilys Award and the 2007 Book to TV award.

"Born Free" is the twelfth episode of season one and first-season finale of the American television drama series Dexter, which aired on December 17, 2006 on Showtime in the United States. The episode also aired on May 4, 2008 on CTV in Canada; on May 14, 2008 on FX in the UK; on September 28, 2008 on Channel Ten in Australia; and on March 21, 2011 on STAR World in India. The episode was written by Daniel Cerone and executive producer Melissa Rosenberg, and was directed by Michael Cuesta. Based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, the season featured many differences to the original source, mainly in the lead-up to and revelation of the identity of the "Ice Truck Killer". The episode received critical acclaim.

<i>Dearly Devoted Dexter</i> 2005 novel by Jeff Lindsay

Dearly Devoted Dexter is a 2005 crime/horror novel by Jeff Lindsay, the second in his series about psychopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan, which has been adapted into a television series. It is narrated by the title character.

<i>Dexter in the Dark</i> Book by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter in the Dark is a 2007 novel written by Jeff Lindsay. The third book in the Dexter series, following serial killer killer Dexter Morgan, it was preceded by the 2004 novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter—which formed the basis of the Showtime television series Dexter—and Dearly Devoted Dexter, its 2005 sequel.

<i>Dexter by Design</i> 2009 novel by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter by Design (2009) is a mystery novel written by Jeff Lindsay. It is the fourth novel in the Dexter series, preceded by Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dearly Devoted Dexter, and Dexter in the Dark, following Dexter Morgan, a sociopathic forensic analyst with a "hobby" of killing killers, as he investigates a serial killer.

"Pilot" is the first episode of the FX crime drama television series The Shield. It was written by series creator Shawn Ryan, directed by Clark Johnson, and originally aired on March 12, 2002. The episode received Emmy Award nominations for both its writing and directing.

"It's Alive!" is the second season premiere and thirteenth overall episode of the American television drama series Dexter, which first aired on September 30, 2007 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by Daniel Cerone and was directed by Tony Goldwyn. In the episode, which takes place five weeks after the first-season finale, Sgt. James Doakes is following Dexter Morgan at all times, but when he gets his first opportunity Dexter finds himself unable to kill. Meanwhile, his sister Debra returns to work after her ex-fiancé Brian tried to kill her, and his girlfriend Rita Bennett refuses to believe that Dexter sent her ex-husband Paul to prison in spite of the evidence in front of her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rita Bennett</span> Fictional character created by Jeff Lindsay

Rita Ann Morgan is a fictional character created by Jeff Lindsay for his book series about a vigilante serial killer named Dexter Morgan. She also appeared in the television series Dexter, based on Lindsay's books. She was the girlfriend and later wife of Dexter in both media. Portrayed by Julie Benz, Rita was a series regular in the first four seasons. The character made her last television appearance in 2010; she was a special guest star in Dexter's season five opener entitled "My Bad". The character appeared in seven of the eight Dexter novels.

<i>Dexter Is Delicious</i> 2010 novel by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter Is Delicious is the fifth novel written by Jeff Lindsay, and the fifth book in the Dexter book series. The book was released in the UK on July 8, 2010 and September 7, 2010 in the United States, following no-longer-sociopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan as he experiences genuine love and emotions for the first time upon the birth of his daughter, attempting to retire from his hobby while investigating a cannibal coven with his estranged siblings.

<i>Dexter</i> season 1 Drama series

The first season of Dexter is an adaptation of Jeff Lindsay's first novel in a series of the same name, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Subsequent seasons have featured original storylines. This season aired from October 1, 2006 to December 17, 2006, and follows Dexter's investigation of "the Ice Truck Killer". Introduced in the first episode, "Dexter", this serial killer targets prostitutes and leaves their bodies severed and bloodless. At the same time, Dexter's adoptive sister, Debra Morgan, a vice squad officer, aspires to work in the homicide department, and Dexter's girlfriend, Rita Bennett, wants their relationship to be more intimate. Christian Camargo appears as Rudy Cooper and is a recurring character until the end of the season.

<i>Dexter</i> season 4 Drama series

The fourth season of Dexter premiered on September 27, 2009, and concluded on December 13, 2009. The series was renewed for a fourth and fifth season in October 2008, with each season consisting of 12 episodes. The show's writers convened during February and March 2009 to brainstorm ideas for the fourth season, and filming was scheduled to begin in June 2009. In May 2009, Showtime announced that John Lithgow would guest star in all 12 episodes as Miami's latest and deadliest serial killer, and Keith Carradine would return as Lundy. The fourth season focuses on Dexter attempting to find his way to balance his family life, the birth of his son, and his "extra-curricular" activities.

"My Bad" is the premiere of the fifth season of the Showtime series Dexter and the show's forty-ninth episode overall. It was written by Chip Johannessen, the show's former executive producer and showrunner, and directed by Steve Shill. It originally aired on September 26, 2010. It brings the final resolution to the Trinity Killer plot that was present in season four and also features the last performance by Julie Benz as Rita.

<i>Dexter</i> season 5 Drama series

The fifth season of Dexter premiered on September 26, 2010, and consisted of 12 episodes. The season focuses on how Dexter comes to terms with the aftermath of the Season 4 finale, helping a girl stop a group of serial rapists, and avoiding a corrupt cop who learns his deadly secret.

"Hello, Dexter Morgan" is the 11th and penultimate episode of the fourth season of Showtime TV series, Dexter, which aired on December 6, 2009. The police team attempt to get Christine Hill to talk while Dexter frames another man in order to get Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, all to himself.

<i>Dexters Final Cut</i> Book by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter's Final Cut is the seventh novel written by Jeff Lindsay, and the penultimate book in the Dexter book series about Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who primarily targets other serial killers. The book was released on September 17, 2013. Responding to the lack of alliteration on the title in comparison to the previous ones in the series, Lindsay has stated, "It's because this novel is very different than the previous, shockingly so..."

<i>Dexter Is Dead</i> 2015 novel by Jeff Lindsay

Dexter Is Dead is the eighth novel written by Jeff Lindsay, and the final book in the Dexter book series, about Dexter Morgan, a vigilante serial killer who almost exclusively targets other serial killers. The book was released on July 7, 2015. A loose adaptation of the novel, serving as a revival of Showtime's Dexter television series, a miniseries entitled Dexter: New Blood, was released from November 7, 2021 to January 9, 2022, with Michael C. Hall reprising his role as the title character.

References

  1. 1 2 "Crime: Double Dexter, Death Comes to Pemberley and more". thetelegraph.co.uk. November 14, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Lindsay at his best in sixth Dexter outing". sun-sentinel.com. October 30, 2011. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.