David Moody’s Hater trilogy was stunningly effective in its simplicity. Take a contagion that rapidly infects a percentage of the population and, in turn, causes those afflicted to brutally murder anyone and everyone who crosses their unrelenting path. As we are told repeatedly throughout the trilogy (and in ONE OF US WILL BE DEAD BY MORNING, which continues the saga), these folks aren’t zombies. They run on high-test adrenaline and are relentless. Armies help to stem the tide, but more often than not catch a few (or more) civilians in friendly fire. The series is addicting and frightening, and takes place a second or two from right now. If you are inclined toward paranoia and looking for something to stoke the fire, the Hater series is the match you want.

"Moody is quite simply a marvel for his ability to ratchet up the suspense level, hold it at a certain pitch, and let pent-up energy explode into full-force terror."

I kept wondering what Moody would do for his succession of Hater encores, and the awkwardly but effectively titled ONE OF US WILL BE DEAD BY MORNING takes that question on and answers it decisively. The majority of the book takes place against a claustrophobic and extremely effective setting over the course of what is a very long few days for those involved. Skek is an all-but-deserted island in the North Sea, noteworthy throughout history for being occupied for short periods and abandoned for much longer ones. It is, as Moody’s story opens, the home of Hazleton Adventure Experiences, one of those businesses that combines extreme sports with corporate team building. A small company is engaging in just that when one of its employees dies, setting off a “did she fall, or was she pushed?” scenario, resulting in fragmenting speculation and acrimonious accusation.

Then the boat that is the sole means of transport between Skek and the mainland is found wrecked on Skek’s coast, with its crew and a group of children who were to be spending the day on the island horribly murdered. The Hazelton team also finds that all efforts to contact the Coast Guard by radio are fruitless, except for one cryptic communication indicating that the people on the island may not have a safe haven back on the mainland. It quickly becomes irrefutably clear that the Hater disorder has come to Skek and there is no escape. Things get worse, and then much worse.

Moody is quite simply a marvel for his ability to ratchet up the suspense level, hold it at a certain pitch, and let pent-up energy explode into full-force terror. The reader kind of senses where he is going and what is coming. But even with that foreknowledge (foreguessing?), it is impossible to predict everything. By the end of ONE OF US WILL BE DEAD BY MORNING, you won’t be entirely sure of where things stand. That’s part of the fun of it all, isn’t it? Think of a mashup of George Romero and Agatha Christie, and you might have an idea of what awaits you.