This book (the first in the series) follows the Showtime series fairly closely but with certain very important twists and changes that the television series doesn't explore. Without giving away too much, certain characters die that don't in the TV series, characters know secrets that they don't in the series, and more importantly, certain characters live that unfortunately don't in the series. The authors narrative and descriptions of even the poorest areas of Miami make this reader long to visit it for myself (even though it is normally an area that I would never consider). It also makes me curious if the saying is true that the hot weather there makes tempers flair more easily, as author eludes to Miami having quite the problem with violent crime (not just those perpetuated by our favorite character). The author details Dexter's own inner battles and demons quite well and the descriptions of the crimes and their components (aka the bloody details), is tastefully done also. The descriptions aren't there for shock value or as a given as they are in some horror/murder mystery books, but they are an essential component to the story itself. The only part of the television series that is absent in this book, is the forensic aspects of Dexter's job. In fact, Dexter's job is only touched on here and there in the book. I venture a guess that they developed it more for the TV series to compete with all of the CSI's, Law and Orders, etc., forensic heavy crime dramas on television right now. Maybe the further books in the series will dive into Dexter's profession more. This first book only gives a glimpse as to why it became his profession in the first place.
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