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    Dexter by Design
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    Dexter by Design
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    Dexter by Design
    Audiobook10 hours

    Dexter by Design

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    3.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateNov 4, 2014
    ISBN9780553398656
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for Dexter by Design

    3.5/5

    533 ratings51 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      This book thankfully gets away from the supernatural element of the last book. However, Dexter doesn't really do much. He does a lot of tracking, but that's about it. He definitely doesn't feel like the Dexter of old, and while that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing (characters need to grow after all), here it tends to make him slightly boring.
    • 4/5
      This book was fun to read. I have read the first three books in the series and have enjoyed them all. I especially enjoyed his relationship with Astor and Cody. It is rare to read books about child sociopaths. The story was fast paced. The ending wrapped up a little too neatly for me.
    • 3/5
      It's okay. Dexter has gone back to his non-supernatural storyline so that's a good thing but... the story is not as good as the others in the series. I think this is mostly because Dexter does dumb things that are out of character for Dexter, but if he didn't do them, the story could not progress as it did. So it looks like the author changed Dexter for the sake of the story - making him dumber - because otherwise there'd be no suspense at all.Like... Dexter is constantly in situations where he has to justify why he's even at the location. Once it's at the school, at child pickup time, and he spends time sputtering on about why he's there... none of which makes sense 'cause all he has to say is that he's there to pick up the kids... who can argue with that? But, of course, there's no suspense if Dexter can justify his presence.Anyway, there were scenes that made me chuckle and while the story was a bit unbelievable, it was still entertaining.
    • 5/5
      Even before I finished this book, I was wishing that I have book 3 to move straight on too.
    • 4/5
      I have been a fan of Jeff's writing since page one of the first book. Funny, well crafted, dark and somehow manages to have you barracking for Dexter to take his knife and fishing line to someone. I really have no deeper insights to offer as it has been covered by many. Suffice to say that this book and the others I have read in the series are worth every minute of reading time, even if it is as disturbing as Jennifer's Leg.

      This weekend I'm going to a Q&A and lecture with Jeff Lindsay at the Perth Writers Festival. I am looking forward to hearing more about Jeff's writing and Dexter.
    • 3/5
      Synopsis: While in Paris on his honeymoon, Dexter and Rita see some performance art that involves a woman cutting off her leg. When he gets home his first case is re-markedly like this 'art' except that the people are dead and posed with items in their body cavities that represent Miami. In searching for the culprit, Deborah gets stabbed and Dexter goes looking for the person who did it. Unfortunately, this sets off the partner who is the actual serial killer. This gets worse when the killer goes after Dexter's family.Review: In an interesting twist, Dexter doesn't actually kill the killer.
    • 3/5
      When you read this, you'll wonder "Dexter, will you never learn? Stop being careless". He's not as careless as he became in the series, but he's still careless.
    • 2/5
      I think I might be starting to enjoy the television series more than the books. I'm not sure why that is, maybe I'm just not a fan of Lindsay's style. I'm sure it must be frustrating for an author to sell his character/work and have that adaptation exceed his original vision in every way. I found myself bored by this book and lacking ambition to finish it as I felt it was really was not going anywhere.

      It seems like it takes forever for anything to come to a conclusion and the novel actually does not reach it's apex until the last 10 pages. Lindsay takes too long setting things up for a pay off that really never feels worthy of his build up.
    • 3/5
      Not as good as the others in the series. I'm hoping the next one is less filler and more serial killer :-)
    • 4/5
      not the best of the series but still in keeping with the theme; looking forward to the next in the series
    • 5/5
      Oh, man. Oh, Dexter.

      This book was my favorite of them all. I loved it so, so much. Brilliant intra and interpersonal conflict. He just kept finding himself in the funniest situations (if you like that kind of dark humor, and I do). Loved the end. It just makes me smile. Book 5 is called Dexter is Delicious, and how can you resist a title like that? But Insurgent just came out--so I'll get back to you soon Dexter, very soon.
    • 5/5
      Loved it :)
      That characteristic humor of Dexters is always the best ingredient of the book for me. The killer was satisfyingly gory.
      Only I have to say is I kept seeing all these clues and dexter was a mile behind catching up...I felt like his brain was slow this time.

      Still it was a good read :)
    • 4/5
      Another book about Dashing Dexter and his Daring Darlings. I won't say this is my favorite but it definitely keeps the story of Dexter moving along!
    • 3/5
      Miami is inundated with 'creatively' displayed corpses- the sick art of a tourism advertiser gone wrong. Murder as exhibitionist art. Meanwhile- Dexter is learning about being a husband and father. Wonderfully described- a bit disturbing- especially as his wife Rita's children become involved. The saga continues!
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed the book and Lindsay's usual wit - the only thing was that the plot wrapped up too conveniently at the end for my liking.
    • 4/5
      After the last installment of the Dexter series I was a little hesitant on whether to embark on the next book (the third book was dull for me). However, I am very glad that I continued! Dexter is back and up to his old tricks! This time Dexter is faced with an artist who utilizes a personal medium. While the main protagonist was not as interesting and fleshed out (no pun intended) to me as the pervious bad guys, he was sufficiently devious. As Dexter hunts down the psychotic artist he must also battle the authorities as they begin to look a little too closely into his life.
    • 2/5
      I found the plot of this particular Dexter installment quite dull and sadly I wanted to stop reading because I wasn't amused. Weiss the artfully skilled protagonist isn't interesting at all, the only reason I kept reading this book was to get some sort of sick satisfaction by living precariously through the fictional role of Dexter Morgan and killing Weiss. SPOILER ALERT! I wasn't even allowed to have that simple pleasure... To sum this installment up in one word...Disappointing.
    • 2/5
      As always, this Dexter book was funny and an easy read. However, the plot and the police procedural were awful. When dead people show up, I would think the first thing that should be done is identify the bodies. That didn't happen, and eventually the cops looked stupid/foolish because of the lack of judgement. Later, Dexter and his sister's boyfriend take a useless trip to Cuba. Seemed like padding. And then, Dexter brings his step kids to the books final. I almost stopped reading. This is the worst of the four Dexter books I have read.
    • 3/5
      So glad that I continued with the series after the dud of the last book. Dexter was back to his witty dark self. Kind of a fun book with more input form other lesser characters.
    • 3/5
      I would give it a 2 and 1/2. As always Jeff Lindsay has scribed a good story. I just didnt think it had the bang that the other Dexters had. Totally worth the read. Looking fwd to the next installment. Deliciously Dexter.
    • 4/5
      Loved this book, especially since after reading Dexter in the Dark I was really disappointed by the supernatural turn it took regarding the Dark Passenger. Dexter By Design, in comparison, is more like what I've come to expect and enjoy from these books. Fast-paced and very enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      I have a really hard time faulting this book for anything, if for no other reason than that I am nothing short of elated that "real" Dexter is back - and the Dark Passenger with him. The book that precedes this one in the series was a huge disappointment and I was extremely wary of how this one would turn out. Alas, the beloved dark Dexter is back in business with his attempts at acting human, his black-as-night humor, and, of course, with his Passenger, rustling its black feathers and chuckling quietly at the horrors. I do wish Astor and Cody were more fleshed out, but hopefully we'll get that soon. Still, I can't be harsh in this particular circumstance: my favorite (funny) serial killer is back!
    • 5/5
      I was watching Burn notice the other night and realised that Miami has been a hot place over the years for TV and book settings. Between Dexter the TV show, Jeff Lindsay's Dexter books, Burn Notice, CSI miami (ugh hate that show!), The Birdcage (the movie), The Golden Girls and of course Miami Vice, among many many others, I feel like I've been there many times. Despite the fact I've never set foot in Florida, ever. One of the things I love best about Jeff Lindsay's books are his great and loving descriptions of Miami. Whether its the heat, the psychotic traffic or just the to die for Cuban sandwiches, I always feel the hot sun on my skin and the Cuban vibe while reading the Dexter books. That coupled with Dexter very humorous, very dry monologue, it can be safely said that Jeff Lindsay has created a character I will happily follow for many many books. Which is ultimately the goal of any kind of serial crime or detective type book. Dexter can be my 21st Century Poirot.Newly married Dexter is trailing along behind Rita through her whirlwind tour of Paris, loathing most every minute of it, when they stumble on an art exhibit setting the tone of the rest of the novel. When they arrive back in Miami Dexter is launched into the search for a similar artist who just might be a serial killer as well. But thrown into the mix is Cody and Astor's training, Cub Scouts and a serious risk to Debs health. Dexter will have to live up to his new family man status and start juggling a lot more than just the needs of his Dark Passenger, the question is, will pesky human emotions start to get in his way after all these years.Back to his funny, clueless self after his run in with Moloch, Dexter by Design had me laughing out loud as well as seriously concerned about some of the tight corners he managed to wedge himself in. The Rita surprise at the end had me in tears and I now can't wait till September 7th for Dexter Is Delicious. In fact to celebrate I've found the perfect thing! A small sandwich shop at Yonge and Dundas square proudly proclaiming they have Cuban sandwiches made just like in Miami! After so many yummy sounding descriptions of them I can't wait to bit into one for real and see what the fuss is about. It's not Miami, but it's as close as I'll be getting for awhile. So expect to see me camped eating a Cuban sandwich and with my nose buried in Dexter Is Delicious two weeks from Wednesday.
    • 5/5
      DEXTER BY DESIGN has brilliant pacing, great characterization, danger around every corner, and that odd sense that you ought not be empathizing with this character quite so much. Because he's evil. But he's a nice, charming, likable sort of evil. Way to screw with my head, Jeff Lindsay.Lindsay pulls Dexter's new family into the mix and shows the children's development as little monsters while putting them all in mortal danger, which is a good move. Keeping them as background for Dexter would have made them boring, and these characters are anything but boring.The danger Dexter's in from the law continues to compound, as well, as he does things without thinking or without following the rules, so too many cops are figuring out what he's about, though they all seem loathe to do anything about it.I can't wait for the new one already.
    • 3/5
      I have thoroughly enjoyed the other Dexter books in the series. This one just didn't seem to have the same "bite" as the others. I thought it was much slower than the other books. Loking forward to the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      I finally managed to catch up on one of the series I'm currently reading. Dexter by Design is the fourth book in the Dexter series, and the last one that has been published so far. That is until September 2010 when the next book is due to be released!Dexter just got married and he returns to Miami from his honeymoon just in time for a series of grotesque murders. As usual Deb turns to her brother for his insight and help with the investigation, but the Dark Passenger is telling Dexter that there is more to this serial killer than meets the eye. At a turn of events, Dexter finds himself more involved than he would like to be when Deb is viciously stabbed and the situation becomes a lot more personal. Dexter wants revenge and in his rash decision he may have broken the Harry code, which results in a few suspicions being raised. The next thing he knows his family is being targeted, just what he needed for some people to raise an eyebrow. Things are not looking promising for Dex!This is another fantastic book in the Dexter series. Lindsay has created a character that you can't help but love, and no matter what Dexter does I still find him fascinating. Too bad the other characters are not as strong and are even irritating at times. The best example of this is Deborah, who has bothered me since the second book and wish she would just get her act together. One downside of this book is that it can get repetitive, both within itself and the previous books in the series. If I was Lindsay I would have reduced the amount of coincidences too, it makes Dexter seem like he's losing his edge and only gets through it because he's one damn lucky guy. Nevertheless I loved the story and I couldn't stop reading until I finished it! Dexter's new family is much more involved in this book, it is something I find interesting for someone who claims to be heartless, and would love to see how Astor and Cody's characters are developed.As I said for the other books, although I enjoyed them all nothing beats the first book. This one has a mean ending and I hate that I have to wait so long for the next book - Dexter is Delicious - to be released!
    • 4/5
      After a clunker of a third book, Lindsay's fourth offering in the Dexter Morgan series is an improvement. There is no mention of Moloch or his cult of followers; instead, Dexter is once again being stalked by a fellow traveler on the Dark Path. Dexter, in a rare display of emotion, kills in haste, and he has to pay the price for his impulsiveness.I like Lindsay's book series, but nothing really compares to his first book. The interaction and chemistry between the Tamiami Butcher and Dexter just hasn't been replicated, perhaps because of the biological tie they share. And while Dexter was darkly hilarious in the first book, his humor seems to fall rather flat here. I laughed out loud several times while reading the first book in the series; here, I only laughed a little once, with Doakes' pre-recorded message that he surely programed just for Dexter's benefit. There are only so many descriptions of Miami traffic that I can stomach, and Lindsay is pushing past that tolerance here. And Lindsay has a habit of a very, very slow build-up, and then everything is neatly resolved (too neatly) in the last fifteen pages or so of the book. If he paced the novels better, I think they'd be more compelling.Altogether, I really must say that I enjoy the Showtime series more, simply because Michael C. Hall is terrific as Dexter, and for the most part, the "villains" are more compelling than the ones found in Lindsay's novels. However, I appreciate Dexter's coldness here, which has been softened in the Showtime series.
    • 3/5
      Dexter by Design picks up with a Dexter who is now even more ensconced in normalcy: Father, brother, husband and forensic blood splatter analyst. The villain in this tale is a troubled artist who sets his tableau's with murder victims. Deborah is attacked by this evil-doer and Dexter stands alone to exact vengeance. This book unfortunately continues the downward spiral of the Dexter-verse and I doubt that I will continue reading the series. This book, where better than the third, did not have the magic the first two stories possessed. Jeff Lindsay continues to bombard his readers with near constant reminders of 'Miami Traffic', 'How Dexter does not have feelings', 'Dexter's Dark passenger' and 'Dexter's non-stop quest to satisfy his physical hunger'. You know what would bring me back to the series? Dexter actually killing off a few who deserve it instead of a single antagonist being chased down for the entire novel. The book was okay, but certainly not great.
    • 2/5
      It seems that Dexter has lost his touch.Quite honestly, I enjoyed the first two books well enough (despite the constant repetition of "I have no feelings", "I like killing", "Miami traffic sucks", etc, in very many artful ways), but this one just doesn't quite do it. The story starts off with Rita and Dexter's honeymoon in Paris, where the great big shocker of an opening pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the book: gory art for audience reaction, many surprises, and many not well-planned actions. Through a lot of the series, we've seen how methodical Dexter is: he's pretty good about doing his homework so everything is clean. I think the author is pretty much reaching into trying to give Dexter some quality of human emotion, but, even given the excuse for this, Dexter's work got just a bit sloppy there.
    • 5/5
      After a bad third book Jeff Lindsay brings back Dexter to the way he should be.This is the first one I'd read before actually seeing the tv series and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first one.Again, it's nothing like the series, it's far superior!