The sight of blood makes Dexter Morgan a bit squeamish -- a decided disadvantage in his job as a blood-spatter analyst with the Miami police department. It doesn't help much with his hobby, either. You see, Dexter is a serial killer. From an early age, he knew he wasn't like other people. His foster father, a Miami police officer, detected that difference and taught Dexter to put his deadly compulsions to good use. While other serial killers prey on the innocent, Dexter preys on the guilty. And if he has fun while he's doing it, who's to care? But when a series of bloodless corpses turns up, Dexter finds himself admiring this artist, er, killer who has managed to take the mess out of murder. Obviously, he can't hunt this like-minded soul himself. His foster sister, a Miami vice squad officer, is desperate to solve the case so she can get out of her prostitute get-up and into a homicide detective's suit. Should he help her? Or should he join the murderer in his mass mayhem? "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" is a deliciously devious delight! The novel was awarded the 2005 Dilys Award as the book independent mystery booksellers most enjoyed selling. It also has been nominated for the 2005 Macavity and Barry awards. The second book in the series, "Dearly Devoted Dexter," was released this month.