Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department blood spatter analyst, is living a double life. After his day job with the police department, Dexter moonlights as a serial killer, hunting and killing criminals who slip through the justice system. Dexter's sister, Debra, a vice squad officer, pulls Dexter into her world when another serial killer is killing prostitutes and leaving their bloodless bodies dismembered in various locations around Miami. Meanwhile, Dexter hunts a man who made snuff videos and killed a mother of two.

Ramon's career may be in jeopardy due to his obsession with Oscar's killer. Meanwhile, Dexter does a great job in keeping Ramon off balance by manipulation. Deb refuses to "be a rat" after Internal Affairs presses her to come up with more dirt on Quinn. Also, Rita and Dexter decide it's time to tell the children about her "condition," and Angel's quest for companionship nearly gets him in deep water.

Miami Metro is just one step away from discovering the identity of the Trinity Killer. And Dexter can't let that happen. Dexter must take drastic action to buy himself time to deal with Trinity in his own fashion. Arthur, who still can't understand why Dexter didn't simply turn him in, begins his own bloody investigation into Kyle Butler.