Editorial Review
“One of the most likable vigilante serial killers” (The New Yorker) faces his ultimate adversary…an evil so terrifying it scares away Dexter’s inner monster—and nearly dries up his sense of humor—in this wickedly witty, darkly suspenseful novel.
In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds…particularly because, on occasion, he rather enjoys committing them himself. Guided by his Dark Passenger (the reptilian voice inside him), he lives his outwardly normal life adhering to one simple rule: he kills only very bad people. Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancé raise her two adorable (if somewhat…unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But then everything changes. Dexter is called to a crime scene that seems routine: a gruesome double homicide at the university campus, which Dexter would normally investigate with gusto, before enjoying a savory lunch. And yet this scene feels terribly wrong. Dexter’s Dark Passenger senses something it recognizes, something utterly chilling, and the Passenger—mastermind of Dexter’s homicidal prowess—promptly goes into hiding.
With his Passenger on the run, Dexter is left to face this case all alone—not to mention his demanding sister (Sergeant Deborah), his frantic fiancée (Rita), and the most frightening wedding caterer ever to plan a menu. Equally unsettling, Dexter begins to realize that something very dark and very powerful has its sights set on him. Dexter is left in the dark, but he must summon his sharpest investigative instincts not only to pursue his enemy, but to locate and truly understand his Dark Passenger. To find him, Dexter has to research the questions he’s never dared ask: Who is the Dark Passenger, and where does he come from? It is nothing less than a search for Dexter’s own dark soul…fueled by a steady supply of fresh doughnuts.
Macabre, ironic, and wonderfully entertaining, Dexter in the Dark goes deeper into the psyche of one of the freshest protagonists in recent fiction. Jeff Lindsay’s glorious creativity is on full display in his most accomplished novel yet.
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Customer Reviews
nowhere near as good as the others!!! 
2008-10-06
I LOVED LOVED LOVED the first Dexter book. The second was a bit disturbing but still made me laugh out loud more than once. I read both after having seen the TV series on Network. Was really excited about getting this book. Was terribly disappointed. IT was stupid. IT was lame. Sigh. Sorry Jeff Lindsay I really enjoyed the first 2 books. I doubt I will read this one again though. FYI I have the first 2 seasons of the show on DVD and really enjoyed them too! HIGHLY RECOMMEND the series and the first 2 Dexter books. Just not this one.
What Was Jeff Lindsay Thinking? 
2008-09-30
Im glad to know that i am not the only one who thinks that Jeff Lindsay may have destroyed the whole character of Dexter with this book. He takes Dexter's Dark Passenger, Which could have been easily explaned by his phcycotic mind, or a split personalty (which is what I thought as I read the first two books) and turned it into a a supernatural force from a three thousand year old mythological God.
Jeff Lindsay should have stayed on track along with his first two books. Instead he inserts a sort of science fiction which throws this book way off base. I regret having read this book, because it has distorted my image of Dexter in even the first two books.
I think that if Lindsay wants a good reaction of His fourth book Dexter By Design, he should forget all about the fact he ever wrote this book and get back on track with the first two.
Best to read series in order to get full benefit of story 
2008-09-29
This darkly funny book is the third Dexter book. Written by Jeff Lindsay, it features the serial killer/blood spatter expert Dexter. Dexter finds killers and dispatches them according to the `Harry Code," but this time Dexter is the prey. Somehow he has come to the notice of an evil that makes his Dark Passenger flee in fear. Dexter is alone for the first time in his life, and he doesn't like it.
Add a looming wedding, a tyrannical caterer and his soon-to-be step children who want to learn the ropes of being serial killers from Dexter-and his life is overwhelmingly full. As his life falls apart, Dexter muses about whether this is the lot of all humans. Though he describes himself as an artificial human, in this novel he becomes more and more real, much to his despair.
I found most of the characters interesting, especially the would-be killer children. There were a couple of appearances by Sergeant Doakes that didn't add much to the book unless you are familiar with him and the relationship between Doakes and Dexter from the previous novels. This is the only weakness in Dexter in the Dark -if you haven't read the previous books some of the situations and dialog will leave you in the Dark. I found that the Dark Passenger left so early in the story that I didn't have any idea of what the normal interaction between it and Dexter was, so I didn't really know what he was missing.
So my suggestion is this. Go and read the first two books, then come back and thoroughly enjoy this twisted tale of the likable serial killer named Dexter.
Armchair Interviews agrees: Best read in order in this well-done series.
What The He@l Was That?? 2008-09-29
Oh my god. I won't rehash the plot of this novel. Other reviewers have done it very well. Not only did the stupid idea of a god from pre-history warrant a 0 star rating but there are a few other things that really bothered me that haven't been mentioned.
1. We all know, after reading the first two books, that Miami traffic is horrible. Please STOP mentioning it every time someone gets in a car.
2. Why is Deb employed?? She can't figure anything out on her own. For that matter, why hasn't someone shot her? She is a miserable woman. Lighten up!
3. Why would anyone marry Rita? She went from being an interesting character coming out of an abusive relationship to being a cartoon of a person that embodies every silly "girly" quality one can have. Also, she just lets it drop that her kids almost disembolwed a cat? Nice mom.
4. Why is Doakes alive? Mr. Lindsay, if you read these, please take a cue from the show and kill this guy...He has no hands and no feet and no tongue. What can you possibly do with him except type CLUMP 20+ times in a book.
The Dexter concept was/is great. I am not sure how you can rectify this mess, but you have one more shot from me...and it sounds like quite a number of other fans..
Less than horrible 2008-09-25
Poorly written, sub-Anne Rice dog turd. Please don't make the mistake of stepping in it.
Yet another Dexter universe 2008-09-15
“One of the most likable vigilante serial killers” (The New Yorker) faces his ultimate adversary…an evil so terrifying it scares away Dexter’s inner monster—and nearly dries up his sense of humor—in this wickedly witty, darkly suspenseful novel.
In his work as a Miami crime scene investigator, Dexter Morgan is accustomed to seeing evil deeds…particularly because, on occasion, he rather enjoys committing them himself. Guided by his Dark Passenger (the reptilian voice inside him), he lives his outwardly normal life adhering to one simple rule: he kills only very bad people. Dexter slides through life undetected, working as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, helping his fiancé raise her two adorable (if somewhat…unique) children, and always planning his next jaunt as Dexter the Dark Avenger under the light of the full moon.
But then everything changes. Dexter is called to a crime scene that seems routine: a gruesome double homicide at the university campus, which Dexter would normally investigate with gusto, before enjoying a savory lunch. And yet this scene feels terribly wrong. Dexter’s Dark Passenger senses something it recognizes, something utterly chilling, and the Passenger—mastermind of Dexter’s homicidal prowess—promptly goes into hiding.
With his Passenger on the run, Dexter is left to face this case all alone—not to mention his demanding sister (Sergeant Deborah), his frantic fiancée (Rita), and the most frightening wedding caterer ever to plan a menu. Equally unsettling, Dexter begins to realize that something very dark and very powerful has its sights set on him. Dexter is left in the dark, but he must summon his sharpest investigative instincts not only to pursue his enemy, but to locate and truly understand his Dark Passenger. To find him, Dexter has to research the questions he’s never dared ask: Who is the Dark Passenger, and where does he come from? It is nothing less than a search for Dexter’s own dark soul…fueled by a steady supply of fresh doughnuts.
Macabre, ironic, and wonderfully entertaining, Dexter in the Dark goes deeper into the psyche of one of the freshest protagonists in recent fiction. Jeff Lindsay’s glorious creativity is on full display in his most accomplished novel yet.
Gotta love Dexter! 
2008-09-15
I am a huge Dexter fan. If you are discovering Dexter because of the TV show, you will be pleasantly surprised as the books do differ in the plot than the TV show!
Dexter is the serial killer you root for, as he tracks down really bad guys and disposes of them in a way the police cannot
Sigh...He "nuked the fridge" on this one... 2008-09-15
The series on Shotime has been great, because they more or less, stuck to the book(s). However, let's hope they don't in the upcoming season. If you like Dexter and liked the two previous books (the first being better then the second), DON'T read this one. The author put a twist on this ongoing story that ruined it for me, and will probably ruin it for you, too.
Right... 2008-09-12
What was Jeff Lindsay thinking when he wrote this? Dexter's Dark Passenger has something to do with an ancient god? I kept waiting for the curtain to be pulled back and have some twisted but plausible explanation for what was happening to Dexter. But ancient gods? That's asking a bit too much. A definite downturn in the series, I hope it's just a stumble and Jeff returns to his original form.
Didn't Like This 2008-09-11
Lindsay has made a wrong turn here. Monotonous and boring. One plot line unconvincing and not believable.
This effort crumbles when held up against the 1st 2 books. Maybe T.V. series is taking to much of his time.
I hope he bounces back. This character is too good.
