This debut novel introduces a charming psychopath worthy of Hannibal Lecter. Dexter Morgan is a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami police department. He's also a sociopath--completely incapable of normal human emotions--and a serial killer. His adoptive father, a retired policeman, recognized Dexter's tendencies early on, and encouraged him to channel them into something more socially productive: i.e., killing bad guys like pedophiles. Now someone is murdering prostitutes, and disposing of the bodies in a manner remarkably similar to Dexter's MO. The killer seems to be sending a message aimed directly at Dexter. But no one but Dexter is capable of interpreting that message, least of all Dexter's sister Deb, a cop assigned to the case who's totally unaware of Dexter's extracurricular activities. Dexter must make a choice: should he help Deb make an arrest...or should he help the killer whose work he so admires?