A quick word with Jeff Lindsay

Author Jeff Lindsay, creator of television serial killer Dexter. Photo / Supplies

Jeff Lindsay is the Miami crime novelist who behind the series about sociopath vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan, which has inspired the hit television series Dexter. A phone call finds him in his summer residence in the mountains of North Carolina where he is halfway through his fifth Dexter book.

How is the new book going?

Not bad actually. Except I am at the point - I am expecting it any moment - where I usually break down completely and run to my wife and ask her what to do.

What does she usually say?

She usually reads through and makes a few suggestions. Then I go "no, you're missing the point" and I realise what I need to do.

The stories on the TV programme have diverged away from the books. Has the show affected your imagination of the books as it would readers?

I can't answer for the readers. But I worry about that sometimes. For me it really doesn't affect it much. On odd occasions, for example, I'll be writing a scene and Angel Batista the character on the TV will pop in and suddenly replace the one I have been writing. But generally speaking I shove it aside and do it my way.

During the 90s there was quite a fascination with serial killers whether it was Silence of the Lambs and other books and movies. Was yours - having a serial killer who is also a vigilante - an ironic take on that whole period?

Not really. I was aware of Hannibal Lecter. When one of my early reviews said "Jeff Lindsay is revitalising the genre" it shocked the hell out of me, I was not aware it was a genre. It's certainly not anything I read. I like historical fiction. But there is too much research for a lazy bastard like me.

The combination of serial killer and forensic science would seem to be a winning convergence of genres for a TV show ...

Yeah, but I don't know if that entered into their decision. I certainly try to avoid getting bogged down in forensics. There is certainly a whole lot of other writers who know a lot more than me about it. I know enough about it to do a little bit of background on laboratory techniques and stuff. But it kind of bores me.

Some might see the books as a discussion on capital punishment?

That is certainly something I think about. There are cases where I am clearly in favour of capital punishment. I would really love to have people think about the issue rather than go "I voted this way so that is what I think about it". It's an important subject. There are people who I can't think of anything better to do with them than execute them and my case the list is long.

You have said you like the TV show -- is that you just saying that because you have to?

No. I would say it anyway. When I see my name pop up on the credits it's like if you were watching your favourite TV show and your name popped up on the screen - "oh, look at that". It's always a surprise. I do enjoy the show. I think Michael and the other actors do a terrific job and I am really quite happy with it.

You're on your fifth book. How many more?

As long it takes I guess. As long as someone wants to read them enough to pay me for it, I am happy to oblige.

Don't you risk running out of alliteration on the titles?

No, I have a really big dictionary. For example, number five which is about cannibalism - Dexter is Delicious.So, cannibalism. The next dare?

I thought that five books into the series I could take a look at this without anybody going "he's doing Hannibal Lecter". I've sort of paid dues and put down a modest claim on some of the turf and that I could do this. And it's something - go to google and do a search of cannibal chatrooms, and it will scare the hell out of you. There are lots of them out there.

Could Dexter work anywhere but Florida?

I don't think so. Because I am from Miami and I just naturally saw it there. I think there is something about Miami that lends itself to a cheerful, happy, attractive killer because that is the kind of city it is, you know? Just absolutely beautiful but if you make the wrong turn, bingo it's all over. There is also something to the quality of the light which makes horrible violence almost surreal.

When you've just written something horribly violent, do you ever go "where did that come from?"

I know I should, but I don't. I have enough people around me who go "you're a sick bastard aren't you?" I don't need to do it to myself. I don't inhabit that world. But I go in it every day and I live in it sort of like an actor - try to see things from inside.


Giveaway: We have the first four Dexter novels - Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dearly Devoted Dexter, Dexter in the Dark and Dexter by Design to give away to three readers. To enter just send your name, address and daytime contact details to Dexter Giveaway, TimeOut, Features Dept, NZ Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland 1