Hater by David Moody

REMAIN CALM DO NOT PANIC TAKE SHELTER WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL Society is rocked by a sudden increase in the number of violent assaults on individuals. Christened 'Haters' by the media, the attackers strike without warning, killing all who cross their path. The assaults are brutal, remorseless and extreme: within seconds, normally rational, self-controlled people become frenzied, vicious killers. There are no apparent links as a hundred random attacks become a thousand, then hundreds of thousands. Everyone, irrespective of gender, age, race or any other difference, has the potential to become a victim - or a Hater. People are afraid to go to work, afraid to leave their homes and, increasingly, afraid that at any moment their friends, even their closest family, could turn on them with ultra violent intent.  Waking up each morning, no matter how well defended, everyone must now consider the fact that by the end of the day, they might be dead.  Or perhaps worse, become a killer themselves.  As the status quo shifts, ATTACK FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER becomes the order of the day...  only, the answers might be much different than what you expect....

The story is narrated by Danny, he lives with his partner Lizzie and their three children in a flat and is frustrated and unhappy with his life and job. I found this annoying at first, particularly when he was moaning about and shouting at his kids, as I didn't think his life was that bad and certainly no worse than it is for a lot of people.
On the way to work one morning he witnesses an unprovoked and violent attack on an elderly woman, gradually the attacks and murders escalate until people are too scared to leave their homes. These attackers are named Haters by the media and anyone could change into one.
I haven't read anything by David Moody before, he's one of my husband's favourite authors and he suggested I read this book. I was concerned that the violence would be gratuitous but I didn't feel it was and I was impressed by Moody's style, the novel is an easy read but well written and I rattled through it in no time. I can't say too much about the story without giving away spoilers but it's an interesting alternative if you enjoy zombie fiction or apocalyptic stories. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the trilogy (Dog Blood), if we had a copy in the house then I'd start it straight away but I'm going to have to wait until I get it from the library.