Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Dexter Morgan analyzes blood for Miami police and kills murderers, following the code his adoptive father Harry taught him. He helps his sister Deborah investigate the Tamiami Slasher, who has killed three sex workers. The killer leaves messages for Dexter, who feels a strange pull toward him. Dreams and a security video make Dexter doubt his own sanity. Deborah is kidnapped and taken to the shipping container where Dexter's biological mother was held. The killer is Brian, Dexter's biological brother, who is let down when Dexter won't kill Deborah. LaGuerta shows up, Dexter lets Brian kill her and helps him escape. At her funeral, Dexter feels sad but can't cry.

1. ChangeLaGuerta doesn't make it

   At the end of the book, Dexter lets his brother kill LaGuerta and then attends her funeral. On the show, LaGuerta survives S1 and just loses the case.

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2. ChangeBrian gets away in the book

   In the book, Dexter helps Brian escape out of brotherly loyalty. On the show, Dexter kills Brian and stages it as a suicide.

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3. ChangeA different name for the killer

   In the book, the sex-worker killer is the "Tamiami Slasher." The show came up with the Ice Truck Killer, after the chilled, bloodless bodies.

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