Books like Dexter in the dark by Jeffry P. Lindsay

Dr. Jerry Halpern, pursuing a PhD on the nature of evil, teams up with forensic analyst Dexter Morgan when a student is discovered burned, molested, and headless—an apparent sacrifice to an ancient deity. Dexter, fresh from the whirlwind of studying for his dissertation, brings his forensic expertise to the case, uncovering clues that point to a serial killer far more complex than he imagined. As the investigation deepens, Dexter grapples with the danger posed by the murderer's cult-like motives while defending his new wedding plans with Rita and the safety of his stepchildren—who may share his dark inclinations. The threat escalates when a mutilated former sergeant surfaces from Dexter’s past, forcing him to confront old trauma and protect his family. With the stakes raising from academic curiosity to personal survival, Halpern and Dexter must navigate a perilous web of deception and violence, ultimately facing a death that could become deeply personal.

First publish date: 2007