Is the Karoo, with its delicately poised ecosystem and giant life-sustaining aquifer, perched atop a major gas field? Can the contentious 'fracking' method of extraction bring a turnaround to the fortunes of Martinus Grobbelaar and the other Angora goat farmers of the fictitious town of Kinloch? In this, his debut novel, Gerald Lucas combines the techniques of traditional fireside storytelling and latter-day soap opera scripting to look beyond the merely theoretical implications of this hot issue. Through his capable characterisation he sketches the effect that the race to be the first oil company to prove that there is gas under the aquifer and its extractable viability has on the local community. Should something go wrong, will it be the end of the Karoo ecosystem or will the inhabitants reap rich rewards?