Having not seen a shred of the series Dexter on Showtime (other than the promos), and not having read the two previous books in the series, I didn’t know all that much going into this third installment entitled Dexter in the Dark. What I did know was that Dexter is a blood-splatter forensics expert in Miami by day, and a serial killer who kills serial killers during off-hours. If not a conscience, he at least has a moral/ethical code he goes by – targeting only those who prey on innocents.

This time around, Dexter is about to get married to his less than bright fiancé, Rita, has two homicidal stepkids in seven-year-old Cody and and ten-year-old Astor, and is still dealing with his short-tempered sister. Other than the plotline where Dexter is on the case in which bodies are found burnt and decapitated, the story is mostly about Dexter not understanding his homicidal impulses and figuring out the meaning and origin of the Dark Passenger. The multiple narration shifts and constant (and overly done) references to “It” become grating.

But it’s not all bad. Dexter’s sharp, biting wit, keen observations, and sardonic humor are here in abundance, which is its salvation for fans who enjoy the character. It also seems to be the funniest of the bunch, which is another feather in its cap. The audio is very good; there isn’t a glitch or a bad dub to be heard throughout the entire production. Narrator Nick Landrum, who worked on the previous Dexter audio books, gives a splendid performance. All in all, Dexter in the Dark is a solid entry in the Dexter franchise.