The Hour

Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter series of books that led to the popular TV series of the same name is in The Hour studio chatting to Stephen and Michelle.

The Dexter books and subsequent TV series are some of the very few works of fiction that have managed to make a serial killer likeable by a large audience.  Author Jeff Lindsay explains that this was in fact the original idea for the book series, even though he was doubtful that anybody would actually buy the conceit and enjoy the books.  

"I thought that nobody will want to see this; it will never happen" he says. However, at his first publishing meeting he was approached by at least eight different women who all confessed to having massive crushes on the murderous star of his book!

Speaking about whether Dexter perhaps appeals more to women than men, Lindsay points out that approximately 75% of book readers in America are female.  Aside from this, only one or two men have ever admitted to having a crush on Dexter, so perhaps it does have more of a female following...

Originally Jeff wanted the books to be turned into a movie starring Johnny Depp - in fact, while writing the character he even had Depp in mind.  When he was told that it was to be turned into a TV show with the little-known star of Six Feet Under, Michael C. Hall, in the lead role, Jeff wasn't too sure about the prospects.  But as he points out: "Now I have a crush on Dexter!"

This trip to Glasgow is something of a homecoming for Jeff Lindsay, as his grandfather is originally from the city.  Would he ever set a Dexter book here? He was asked the same question about Australia, which immediately lent itself to an obvious alliterative trick: 'Dexter Down Under'.  Unfortunately nothing in Glasgow springs so easily to mind.

Maybe we can hold our breath for 'Dexter in Dundee'?