Book #9 - Dearly Devoted Dexter

The second in the Dexter series, Dearly Devoted Dexter starts out with him stalking in the bushes. It’s a well written description, similar to the others until you realize that he’s playing with kids, Cody and Astor.
This book picks up shortly after the last book, and diverges from the series. I can see why because to show these images would really disturb people. Doakes is stalking Dexter, sure there is something wrong with him and following him around. Dexter backtracks to the point where his last victim, a killer of children, was caught and disposed of. However Dexter realizes there’s a partner and is anxious to find him.
However Doakes has made it a point to follow Dexter. On the way back from an errands, Dexter realizes that Doakes is behind him and almost panics. He doesn’t and realizes that he needs to work on his cover, and spends more time with Rita and the kids. He finds himself enjoying it, and that’s an interesting subplot to the book.
However the main plot is disturbing. A body is found, alive, but missing all it’s limbs, tongue, and even eyelids. Payback from a former army doctor that was betrayed in El Salvador. Doakes was a part of it, as was another official from Washington that takes over the investigation. He also begins dating Dexter’s sister and things get strange.
Stop here if you don’t want to know any more plot.
Dexter ends up helping solve the issue, but is himself rescued at the end. I was disappointed that this book likely marks the end of Doakes as a character with injuries he sustains. That’s sad as I like the constant tension between them in the series.
Oh well, looking forward to book 3.