Dexter by Design
Encyclopedia
Dexter by Design is a psychological thriller
written by Jeff Lindsay
. It is the fourth novel in the Dexter series, preceded by Darkly Dreaming Dexter
(which formed the basis for the Showtime television series Dexter
), Dearly Devoted Dexter
, and Dexter in the Dark
.
Dexter by Design was released in the United Kingdom
on February 19, 2009.
is a guy who leads a double life. A vigilante
serial killer
by night and a blood spatter analyst with the Miami Police Department
's forensics team by day. Now married to the unsuspecting Rita and on honeymoon in Paris
, Dexter is contemplating a return to normality after the events described in Dexter in the Dark
. While visiting an art gallery, Dexter and Rita are introduced to the concept of body parts being used as art by an avant-garde
performance piece called "Jennifer's Leg" in which the artist amputates her own limb.
On returning home, Dexter finds his relationship with his sister, Deborah Morgan
, has become strained since she learned of his murderous pastime at the end of the first book. Deborah is a Sergeant detective in the Miami Police Department's Homicide Unit and is torn between loyalty to her brother and father (who trained Dexter to confine his murderous impulses to other killers, and taught him how to escape detection) and her duty as a policewoman to arrest him.
At work, Dexter is called to investigate a gruesome tableau on a local beach, where a pair of bodies have been mutilated and arranged in a display that parodies the state's tourist trade.
At home, Rita is concerned for her children, Cody and Astor, who appear withdrawn and different from normal children. Dexter, on the other hand, knows that the two are sociopaths
and has promised to train them to kill those who "deserve it", as his adoptive father, Harry, trained him. Cody is enrolled as a cub scout
, which Rita believes will help him to bond with normal children. Dexter believes it will help him learn how to pretend to be normal.
: Traumatized
as a child by witnessing his mother's brutal murder in a drug deal gone wrong, Dexter was adopted by Harry Morgan, a policeman with the Miami Police Department. After finding out that young Dexter was killing neighborhood pets, Harry realized that the boy was a violent sociopath, and took it upon himself to train him to kill only people who were themselves killers. Dexter became a forensic specialist analysing blood splatter for the Miami Police Department. In his time off, he stalks
and kills people who have gotten away with murder, in order to satisfy an inner voice he calls "The Dark Passenger". He has recently married his girlfriend, Rita, who has two children by a previous marriage.
Deborah Morgan
: Dexter's adoptive sister and a police detective with the homicide department of Miami Police Department. Deborah has recently learned of Dexter's "hobby", and feels conflicted about keeping it a secret. Further complicating her feelings is the fact that Dexter saved her boyfriend, Kyle Chutsky, from a particularly brutal serial killer in Dearly Devoted Dexter
Kyle Chutsky: An ex-CIA operative who lost a hand and a foot in the events described in Dearly Devoted Dexter
. Boyfriend of Deborah Morgan.
Brandon Weiss: A Canadian
citizen who lives in Miami and kills people as a form of avant-garde art, motivated by a desire for revenge against the Miami tourist board, a former employer.
Rita Morgan: Dexter's new wife and mother to Cody and Astor. Rita is completely unaware of Dexter's double life.
Cody and Astor: Rita's son and daughter. Both children were traumatized having been abused
by their drug addict father, Rita's husband. Dexter knows that they are both showing the same signs of sociopathy that he did at that age, and has promised to teach them how to kill in the same way that Harry taught him.
and experimental art.
Dexter by Design briefly mentions internet fame, and includes several references to YouTube
.
"A clever, sardonic, constantly surprising novel that reveals Dexter to be much better company than Hannibal Lecter
. The incredibly gory climax is both horrifying and hilarious - a very difficult trick to pull off. If only all thrillers could be this good." Evening Standard
"Another very successful encounter with the wickedly entertaining Dexter... there are genuinely funny situations, very clever plots and many excellent one-liners. Dexter has a way of getting under your skin and making you like him." Matthew Lewin, The Guardian
"Dexter - still good guy, still homicidal maniac, still genius. Join the fan club."Daily Record
, the first season of which is partially influenced by the first book in the series. Later seasons borrow from other elements in later books, but thereafter, the books and television series go separate ways, with many significant changes (e.g., Dexter's sister never learns of his double life in the Showtime series).
Psychological thriller
Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the broad ranged thriller with heavy focus on characters. However, it often incorporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with the typical traits of the thriller genre...
written by Jeff Lindsay
Jeff Lindsay (writer)
Jeff Lindsay is the pen name of American playwright and crime novelist Jeffry P. Freundlich , best known for his novels about sociopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan. Many of his earlier published works include his wife Hilary Hemingway as a co-author. His wife is the niece of Ernest Hemingway and an...
. It is the fourth novel in the Dexter series, preceded by Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a 2004 novel by Jeff Lindsay, the first in his series about serial killer Dexter Morgan. It has formed the basis of the Showtime television series Dexter and won the 2005 Dilys Award and the 2007 'Book to TV' award....
(which formed the basis for the Showtime television series Dexter
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
), Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter is a crime/horror novel by Jeff Lindsay, the second in his series about psychopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan, which has been adapted into a television series.-Plot:...
, and Dexter in the Dark
Dexter in the Dark
Dexter in the Dark is a 2007 novel written by Jeff Lindsay. This is the third book in the Dexter series, 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.Dexter in the Dark was released...
.
Dexter by Design was released in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on February 19, 2009.
Plot summary
Dexter MorganDexter Morgan
Dexter Morgan is a fictional character in a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay, including Darkly Dreaming Dexter , Dearly Devoted Dexter , Dexter in the Dark , Dexter by Design , Dexter is Delicious and Double Dexter...
is a guy who leads a double life. A vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
by night and a blood spatter analyst with the Miami Police Department
Miami Police Department
The Miami Police Department or MPD, often referred to as the City of Miami Police, is the chief police department of the U.S. city of Miami, Florida. Their jurisdiction lies within the actual city limits of Miami, but have mutual aid agreements with neighboring police departments. The current...
's forensics team by day. Now married to the unsuspecting Rita and on honeymoon in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Dexter is contemplating a return to normality after the events described in Dexter in the Dark
Dexter in the Dark
Dexter in the Dark is a 2007 novel written by Jeff Lindsay. This is the third book in the Dexter series, 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.Dexter in the Dark was released...
. While visiting an art gallery, Dexter and Rita are introduced to the concept of body parts being used as art by an avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
performance piece called "Jennifer's Leg" in which the artist amputates her own limb.
On returning home, Dexter finds his relationship with his sister, Deborah Morgan
Debra Morgan
Debra 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 has featured in every novel...
, has become strained since she learned of his murderous pastime at the end of the first book. Deborah is a Sergeant detective in the Miami Police Department's Homicide Unit and is torn between loyalty to her brother and father (who trained Dexter to confine his murderous impulses to other killers, and taught him how to escape detection) and her duty as a policewoman to arrest him.
At work, Dexter is called to investigate a gruesome tableau on a local beach, where a pair of bodies have been mutilated and arranged in a display that parodies the state's tourist trade.
At home, Rita is concerned for her children, Cody and Astor, who appear withdrawn and different from normal children. Dexter, on the other hand, knows that the two are sociopaths
Antisocial personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is described by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition , as an Axis II personality disorder characterized by "...a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood...
and has promised to train them to kill those who "deserve it", as his adoptive father, Harry, trained him. Cody is enrolled as a cub scout
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
, which Rita believes will help him to bond with normal children. Dexter believes it will help him learn how to pretend to be normal.
Characters
Dexter MorganDexter Morgan
Dexter Morgan is a fictional character in a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay, including Darkly Dreaming Dexter , Dearly Devoted Dexter , Dexter in the Dark , Dexter by Design , Dexter is Delicious and Double Dexter...
: Traumatized
Psychological trauma
Psychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event...
as a child by witnessing his mother's brutal murder in a drug deal gone wrong, Dexter was adopted by Harry Morgan, a policeman with the Miami Police Department. After finding out that young Dexter was killing neighborhood pets, Harry realized that the boy was a violent sociopath, and took it upon himself to train him to kill only people who were themselves killers. Dexter became a forensic specialist analysing blood splatter for the Miami Police Department. In his time off, he stalks
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
and kills people who have gotten away with murder, in order to satisfy an inner voice he calls "The Dark Passenger". He has recently married his girlfriend, Rita, who has two children by a previous marriage.
Deborah Morgan
Debra Morgan
Debra 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 has featured in every novel...
: Dexter's adoptive sister and a police detective with the homicide department of Miami Police Department. Deborah has recently learned of Dexter's "hobby", and feels conflicted about keeping it a secret. Further complicating her feelings is the fact that Dexter saved her boyfriend, Kyle Chutsky, from a particularly brutal serial killer in Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter is a crime/horror novel by Jeff Lindsay, the second in his series about psychopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan, which has been adapted into a television series.-Plot:...
Kyle Chutsky: An ex-CIA operative who lost a hand and a foot in the events described in Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter
Dearly Devoted Dexter is a crime/horror novel by Jeff Lindsay, the second in his series about psychopathic vigilante Dexter Morgan, which has been adapted into a television series.-Plot:...
. Boyfriend of Deborah Morgan.
Brandon Weiss: A Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
citizen who lives in Miami and kills people as a form of avant-garde art, motivated by a desire for revenge against the Miami tourist board, a former employer.
Rita Morgan: Dexter's new wife and mother to Cody and Astor. Rita is completely unaware of Dexter's double life.
Cody and Astor: Rita's son and daughter. Both children were traumatized having been abused
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
by their drug addict father, Rita's husband. Dexter knows that they are both showing the same signs of sociopathy that he did at that age, and has promised to teach them how to kill in the same way that Harry taught him.
Major themes
The themes in Dexter by Design include the morality of taking human life and provides commentary on the human condition from an "outsider's point of view", both of which are common to the Dexter series of novels. The major themes of this particular novel are the arts, specifically modernModern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
and experimental art.
Dexter by Design briefly mentions internet fame, and includes several references to YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
Literary significance and reception
Dexter by Design received a very positive response from critics, as opposed to the less than favourable reviews of the previous entry in the series."A clever, sardonic, constantly surprising novel that reveals Dexter to be much better company than Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter M.D. is a fictional character in a series of horror novels by Thomas Harris and in the films adapted from them.Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer...
. The incredibly gory climax is both horrifying and hilarious - a very difficult trick to pull off. If only all thrillers could be this good." Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
"Another very successful encounter with the wickedly entertaining Dexter... there are genuinely funny situations, very clever plots and many excellent one-liners. Dexter has a way of getting under your skin and making you like him." Matthew Lewin, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
"Dexter - still good guy, still homicidal maniac, still genius. Join the fan club."Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
Showtime produces a television series based on the Dexter novels called DexterDexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
, the first season of which is partially influenced by the first book in the series. Later seasons borrow from other elements in later books, but thereafter, the books and television series go separate ways, with many significant changes (e.g., Dexter's sister never learns of his double life in the Showtime series).
Release details
- Hardback, United Kingdom, Orion, ISBN 0-7528-8517-0 / 978-0-7528-8517-9, 19 February 2009"Book Details". FantasticFiction.co.uk.
- Paperback, United Kingdom, Orion, ISBN 0-7528-9757-8 / 978-0-7528-9757-8, February 2009
- Paperback, United Kingdom, Orion, ISBN 1-4091-0325-0 / 978-1-4091-0325-7, August 2009
- Paperback, United Kingdom, Orion, ISBN 0-7528-8461-1 / 978-0-7528-8461-5, August 2009
- Hardback, United States, Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-51836-6 / 978-0-385-51836-9, 8 September 2009