Dexter Recs

Dexter recs

I absolutely love this show.  A show that makes you root for a serial killer, and not want him to get caught?  Where the best scenes are him hunting and killing, and passing as normal?  Excellent!  I thought the first season was probably the most perfect single season in television, I loved it so much.  The acting is great, the humor is dark and twisted, and somehow despite my typical hate of gore, I wasn’t grossed out by what they choose to show.  But for such a great show, great fic for this is hard to find, maybe because the characters are so nuanced.

Before I begin with my recommendations, here is the template I use to review my recs.

Title fic ~ author

Rating, warnings, word count.

Summary

Recommendation

Rating:           

Concept A-F, from high to low, graded like in school.

            Execution

            Characterization

            Overall 1-5

1= Good fic, I would read a second time and save in my library.  A nice concept, or characterization, and/or decent execution.  Generally the story is carried by one of these categories.  Typically short stories.

2 = Great fic.  Good concept or execution of story.  Idea is compelling enough for me to follow a WIP chapterfic. 

3 = Favorite standard.  Imminently readable, these fanfic have me returning again and again to re-read it. I bookmark these on my author profiles.  Often longer stories.

4 = Impeccable, inspired fic.  One of the best in this fandom.  Great appeal to a number of my favorite themes.

5 = Perfect in all ways, I am in complete awe and think this writer is a giant among writers.  These are some of the best stories I’ve read, period.  The concept draws you in like a black hole, the prose is tight and gripping, the characters are real and either spot on or make you see your favorites in a whole new light with these new insights.  The plot or lack thereof is satisfying, and either leaves you craving more because it’s so good, or even better, has such a good conclusion you feel closure at the end and can’t think of a better place to end the story.  Must reads.  Hits all my buttons and makes feel wonderful intense feelings.

Dexter recs

Sharks in Suits by PaBurke
G.  Gen. Crossover with Criminal Minds. 1,759 words.
Summary:  The BAU must interview victims of the Ice Truck Killer before interviewing the UNSUB himself. They get more Information than hoped for.
Recommendation:  A nice short psychological piece.  The fun thing about crime-law based shows is that you can blend them rather easily in fic.  I like the subtle tension throughout and outside view of Dexter himself.
Concept – B

Execution - B 

Characterization – B (not sure about the Criminal Minds characters since I’m not familiar with the show.)

Overall - 2

FOR I HAVE SINNED by Zillah 91

R for gore.  Crime.  1,490 words.

Summary: Forgive him, father, for he has sinned. He's sinned a lot.

Recommendation: A dark fic from the perspective of one of Dexter’s targets.  Deliciously twisted.  Kind of wish the end had been more drawn out.

Concept - A

Execution - C

Characterization - A

Overall - 1

Be Not Proud by Pirate Perian

R for violence/gore.  Crime. 

Summary:  Christopher Harlow loses a hand, and eventually his life. Dexter searches for fulfillment. Sergeant Doakes listens. Season 2 missing moment, rated for violence and language.

Recommendation:  Another nice piece about Dexter with one of his targets.

Concept - C

Execution – C+

Characterization - A

Overall - 1

Water Through a Rusted Pipe by Pirate Perian

T.  Family (as much as you can get with Dexter fic).  5,395 words.

Summary:  Deb sees a side of her brother that she's never seen before, and asks some awkward questions. Dexter, in answering them, decides to experiment with truth.

Recommendation:  Reveal!fic with Dexter and Deb that never fully reveals everything.  I like how Pirate Perian danced right on the edge of telling the truth and not revealing too much.

Concept – B-

Execution - A

Characterization - A

Overall - 1

Something is Cracking by Pirate Perian

T.  Drama, horror.  8,689 words,

Summary:  Deb catches Dexter in the act. Spoilers for all of season 2.

Recommendation:  Another reveal!fic.  Takes a common concept and runs with it brilliantly.  Deb and Dexter are completely in character, and we even get a great, convincing original victim for Dexter to off.   One of  my favorites in this genre.

Concept – B-

Execution – A+

Characterization – A+

Overall - 3

Hannibal in Miami series by 1001cranes

two works, 8,542 words.  Excellence.

Darkly Dreaming

T.  Crossover with Hannibal.  1,034 words.

Summary: Dr. Lecter is in Miami. He was looking for many things. Dexter was not one of them.

Dearly Departed

M.  Crossover with Hannibal.  7,508 words.

Summary: the sequel to Darkly Dreaming.

Recommendation:  Hannibal Lector meets Dexter!  Not only is it a great concept, but it is executed nicely as well.  Darkly Dreaming is from nicely depicts Hannibal’s fascinated view of Dexter and their first meeting.   Dearly Departied picks up where the first fic ended.  The series paints Dexter as wary but drawn to his fellow hunter, while Hannibal is fascinated and curious with Dexter’s control and inscrutability.  One of the things I love about Hannibal is that he is a psychiatrist, which tickles my inner psychologist, especially in this fic when he keeps trying to diagnose what makes Dexter who he is.  1001cranes does a nice job of making neither character overshadow or lessen the other, establishing Dexter as an experienced killer, while still carrying off a tense mentor/student theme that emphasizes Hannibal’s greater experience.  This did not disappoint.  Highly recommended.

Concept - A

Execution - A

Characterization – A+

Overall – 4

Dark Passengers by Allonym

T.  Crossover with Doctor Who.  14,155 words.

Summary: Two monsters stalk the streets of Miami. How will the Doctor deal with them?

Recommendation:  Another crossover with Doctor Who this time.  This had the chance to be very bad, as I’ve seen a lot of poor Character-X-from-fandom-Y-encounters-the-Doctor type fic before, but I was pleasantly surprised because the Doctor was not excessively gabby and loony, but revealed a darker side to him, appropriate since this is Dexterfic.  Enjoyable.

Concept - B

Execution - A

Characterization – B

Overall – 1

Don’t Drown In by karlamartinova

T.  Romance + incest.  1,889 words.

Summary: Deb knows and the world keeps turning. DexterxDeb.

Recommendation: An interesting look at what would happen if Debra knew and she and Dexter were romantically involved.  Doesn’t hit my squick buttons, so it was executed well.  Nice.

Concept - B

Execution – B+

Characterization – C

Overall – 1

Kill me and I’ll be all right too by Karlamartinova

NC-17.  Romance, AU + incest.  2,370 words.

Summary: AU. Deb is the psycho and Dexter is just eternally confused.  DexterxDeb.

Recommendation:  A very interesting take at what it would be like if Deb was a serial killer instead of Dexter.  I like how Karlamartinova made Dexter just as screwed up as canon, only in a different way.  Despite the reversal, Deb is not a female copy of canon Dexter, but a convincing look at how Deb would be motivated to become a killer.

Concept - A

Execution – B+

Characterization – A

Overall – 2

Intimacy Issues by lori

G.  Psychological.  5,963 words.

Summary: Dexter visits a therapist.

Recommendation:  A simple concept written brilliantly.  I absolutely adore therapy fics, and this was done well, especially since it takes an alternative look at why Dexter is the way he is.  Very canon-divergent.

Concept - B

Execution – A+

Characterization – A

Overall – 3

The Edge of the Unknown by lonelywalker

T.  Crime.  2,188 words.

Summary: There's a line, and she's here to draw it.

Recommendation: Another reveal, only Dexter has already been arrested.  Deals nicely with how Deb feels about the situation.

Concept - A

Execution – B

Characterization – A

Overall –2

Turntable by raven_aorla

T. Humor.  443 words.

Summary: The Serial Killer Convention ended less than successfully, but at least one of the guys went home happy. Because this fic had to be written. Accessible to non-"Dexter" fans.

Recommendation: Short but hysterical.

Concept - A

Execution – B

Characterization – A

Overall –2

The Way by Basingstoke

T.  Crime, Romance.  3,114 words.

Summary: The way Frank Lundy finds a killer.  LundyxDeb.

Recommendation: Slightly AU in that Lundy isn’t killed.  I like how Basingstoke establishes his relationship with Deb – it seems healthy and fun, despite their age difference.  Basingstoke has this way of describing Deb from Lundy’s perspective that reveals how in love with her he is, in the best way.  Lundy’s mind is very methodical as he works over his thoughts about the Bay Harbor Butcher case, and his dissatisfaction with its conclusion.  His observations about Dexter are great, suspicious and spot on.  The reveal at the end is great.  The resolution is suitably tense and unpredictable. Highly recommended, and very satisfying.

Concept - B

Execution – A+

Characterization – A+

Overall –4

Have Dexter fics to recommend?  Put the links in comments!