I've read the first three novels. The first two are OK (same rating I'd give the TV series, both three out of five stars), but the third book goes off on a supernatural slant that turned me off the rest of the books.

One major difference between the TV series and the books is that

Spoiler

Rita is not killed off in the books

, according to summaries I've read.

Mike

 

...but the third book goes off on a supernatural slant that turned me off the rest of the books.

Hmm, yeah, I'm not so sure I'd like that.

 

I've read the first 3 as well.  I like both.  Like most TV series, it deviates from the books a good bit. Characters survive in the books that don't in the series, and vice versa.  The books are darker, and from what I understand from friends who've read them all, Dexter doesn't develop quite as much on an emotional level as he does in the series.  But he still has that sense of humor - and of course I hear Michael C. Hall's voice making those comments as I read the books. 

I think book 3 was kind of a consensus "least favorite" of the series - from what I've read it got back on track after that one.  I'll read the rest of them, but I like to space them out (and I do read a lot of different series). 

 

Good to know, I was curious as well. I LOVE the show. (I'm not sure what that really says about me, that I want a serial killer to win, but..whatever) Michael C Hall is the PERFECT Dexter.

 

I LOVE the show. (I'm not sure what that really says about me, that I want a serial killer to win, but..whatever)

I have that debate with myself as well...

 

Read one Dexter book and show is better thar writen story.

 

I have read all the books so far and they're completely different from the series.  The characters are the same (more or less) but the stories are different.  I look at them as two completely separate entities: I like the TV show and the books but in different ways