Dexter gets a lot of grief because of the ending, which I actually thought was just fine….most endings are terrible or overly sentimental anyway. It also gets a lot of grief because the last couple of seasons could not begin to measure up to its one perfect season with Trinity. But otherwise, I always found it a show that never promised much, but generally delivered.
The book is oddly pitch perfect in this same way. It has a clear sense of scope. It could be “bigger” but since the protagonist is trying to maintain a low key attitude, it keeps that in line.
The novel is succinct, well written, not perfect but good enough. I found it to be a very interesting kind of exercise this afternoon to listen to this while I cooked. The effect is that, one, I have very very strong memories of watching the first two seasons of the show. Here’s how long ago it was: I was on Christmas break from grad school, rented this show and watched it on my laptop while also playing Mass Effect on a CRT tv. I know that’s not ancient history, but it’s of an era.
Also the audiobook is read by the author, and he’s really really good. I assume he’s actually a murderer.
Other than some uncomfortable stereotyping on the Latinx characters, something the show does a better job with, and some unfortunate cynical misogyny, this is a strong novel. And oddly the initial adaptation…say the first two seasons of the show adhere very very closely to the novel’s tone and characterization.