A friend of mine recommended me to Dexter during it's first season, but I didn't have (or want) Showtime. He kept badgering me about it, claiming I would love it...so when the firs season came out on DVD I bought it. In the first two days I watched the entire first season (it hooks you like heroin), and subscribed to Showtime so I could catch season two as it aired.
I've read the books (which are nowhere near as great as the show, but still they are interesting reads) and I gotta say that I love this show more than anything I've seen since I can't remember. Everyone I've shown this series to have been instantly hooked onto it.
Watch Dexter, you'll LOVE it. Definately a series you do not want to miss.