The arrival of a nanny for the son of Daisy and Solomon begins this subtle novel of domestic horror. Daisy's existence is soon to become the nightmare of a woman who allows herself to be pushed to the limit, even when that means the loss of her home, her husband, her children and even her life. Candia McWilliam's first novel, "A Case of Knives", was the joint winner of the 1988 Betty Trask Award.