<p>Waking up in a rundown house on the outskirts of a mining town, Karl at first is uncertain who or where he is.<br>What is certain is the pistol and cash in a duffel bag, and the grey Ford, modified for "leaving places quickly, but silently", in the garage.<br>Over the next few days, as glimpses of his past emerge, Karl stikes up a friendship with his new neighbour, ten-year-old Henri. But Henri's dad is a small-time drugdealer fresh from the city, and his mother weak at protecting them against the violence of his father.<br>All is not as it seems, however, as the real connection between Henri and Karl is revealed in Johan Vlok Louw's poignant and potent new novel.</p>