If you've ever wondered how many issues and how much excitement, intrigue and downright 'licence to thrill' you can fit into 280 pages, then you should probably start with this novel, which has a good go at hitting a record. It is packed to the rafters with more ideas, concepts, leads and plotlines than most authors could fit into an anthology. It's all go from the start, emotions racing, as you'll find it hard not to fall in love with snarling antihero Jack Flynt, who may be devoid of emotion but makes up for it with an unstoppable, unyielding pursuit of his one true passion - the headlines. He's in a difficult state and life's all in rather a mess for him, and, as the reader struggles to untangle vestiges of truth from his no doubt drink-addled fears and paranoia, they find themselves catapulted into an 'unputdownable' rollercoaster of a read. But it's not all thrills and spills of a journalistic kind, as John Humphries expands on his previous experience penning non-fiction books by weaving in a stack of narratives relating to all sorts of off-kilter events. There are at least two pulsating love stories attached to our protagonist alone, plus the uncovering of secret right-wing history, unexplained deaths, pioneering medical work in a mysterious coma case, deep insights into marginalised languages and communities, and more. And that's before we even look at the central mystery of Flynt's terrifying telephone and an Indiana Jones-esque finale that will leave even the most cynical reader breathless with anticipation. Last Rites is ambitious and exceptionally interesting: a novel that is quite literally bursting at the seams with ideas, wit and a cast of well-crafted characters.

If there were to be any criticism at all, at times the sheer intensity of the narrative can get a bit overbearing, and some of the dialogue seems a touch forced - but that said, if that was ironed out we'd have a genuine bestseller on our hands here. It may be cold outside and bleak on the streets, but by goodness, who cares? Stick the fire on, put your feet up and get Last Rites on the go! You won't regret it.