Victorian Psycho is such a disgusting, fun time. Our girl Fred is deranged, demonic, funny, and oddly makes some good points. It is perpetually gaggy—in every sense of the word. Is it the most realistic of stories? No! Ask me if I care! I don't! It's meant to be sensational and satirical and does both very well. If you have the stomach for it, I'd definitely give this relatively short little book a read.

Beautifully written, darkly humorous and-at times-utterly gruesome, Victorian Psycho is an enthralling journey through the mind of Winifred Notty, the new governess to the pampered Pounds children, following her arrival at the Ensor House.

Winifred is both a captivating and appalling protagonist, as her dark past experiences and current behaviors depict an unhinged mind, a lack of empathy and offer biting social commentary regarding the prevailing-and often ludicrous-ideals of Victorian society.

She’s also very funny, which given the subject matter of this novella-I would recommend looking up trigger warnings-definitely helped to place it beyond shocking merely to shock. I was not anticipating a particular incident, but once it was done, I realized that this was going to be quite the journey.

This is my first experience with Virginia Feito’s writing and I appreciated how it held a dreamy and eerie quality as the months passed and more incidents seemed to occur, while also starkly presenting the gluttonous devourings of the rich and the happenings on and following Christmas.

Victorian Psycho is an explicit exploration of female rage and a gothic horror that may make you question the people you work with.

Thank you to NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company and Liveright Books for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Winifred Notty is prepared to be a dutiful governess at Ensor House. She will tutor her pupils, tell them bedtime stories, and only make jokes about eating them. But as the deadly dull days pile up and Fred learns more about the Pounds family, it becomes harder and harder to overcome her violent past.

Winifred is a bitingly sarcastic narrator, her unhinged nature simmering just below the surface of her governess' mask. As the novel progresses, the hints we get about her past snowball into an absolute avalanche of depravity. Be sure to check the trigger warnings on this one, because no one is spared from the violence.

Feito's lush descriptions made me ill to my stomach, especially during any scenes where characters are eating. I have never read a book and had such a visceral reaction to something as simple as a family having dinner. The way people eat... ugh. Never mind the violence, the meals were upsetting.

This one was an easy, quick read, and I found that I couldn't look away. Winifred is abhorrent, but still awfully compelling. I needed to know what she was going to do next in an almost frantic way. Was I rooting for her? I genuinely don't know, and I don't know what that says about me.

I gave this book 3.75/5 stars.

I found this a little hard to get into but ultimately I ended up really enjoying Victorian Psycho.

I absolutely loved the unreliable narrator and when our FMC gave little nods to the reader.

Winifred Notty is wild and twisted and her lack of emotion and empathy made her an interesting and entertaining main character.

Full review will be posted on TikTok tomorrow @batty_books

A Jane Eyre retelling crossed with a twist on American Psycho? I am ALL IN. This was juicy, shocking, eerie, hilarious. The satirical elements were spot on and our psychotic protagonist was weirdly likable, which is always a fun dynamic for the reader. This is a book that’s meant to be devoured at a breakneck pace followed by a period of feeling like “what did I just read??” Virginia Feito is an excellent writer who achieved exactly what she set out to here!

Victorian Psycho Took My Breath Away (and My Sanity)!

Victorian Psycho follows a disturbing and devious path. Told from the perspective of perhaps the strangest governess I've ever encountered (think The Sound of Music, but horribly evil), this story chronicles Winifred as she begins a new position caring for the Pound children. The narrative starts at a slow pace, but this deliberate build-up masterfully cultivates suspense and dread that permeates the entire story. It lulls the reader into a false sense of security, and by the time Feito springs her trap, it’s far too late to escape.

This is a deeply disturbing and horrific book. Initially, I wasn’t sure how far Feito would push the boundaries of horror. However, it quickly became apparent that Feito possesses one of the most creative and volatile writing styles I’ve encountered in a long time (think Eric LaRocca-esque but with a Victorian twist). The writing seamlessly shifts from "normal" to strange to terrifying, then back to an eerie calm as if nothing had happened. This fluidity speaks volumes about Virginia Feito's talent. She crafted a story that defied my expectations, solidifying her as an author to watch.

Check out Victorian Psycho, but be sure to review the trigger warnings before diving in completely!

I really really enjoyed this. I read the vast majority of it in one sitting. I feel like if you like Maeve Fly, you'll probably like this. Victorian Psycho is obviously a Victorian governess, but it has a similar vibe. This is definitely more on the humorous side though.

This book is gruesome, clever, a little whimsical, and very funny. I will be recommending it to everyone for the foreseeable future.

My full review is coming to Cemetery Dance soon. Victorian Psycho is a wicked tale of feminine rage, and dark comedy. Fans of Tim Waggoner’s Pearl novelization of Ti West’s film of the same name, We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson, and Elizabeth by Ken Greenhall NEED this book. I can’t wait for the film adaptation starring Margaret Qualley from The Substance.

3.5 stars!

Imagine if Mary Poppins was possessed by a blood thirsty demon, enter the new governess of Ensor House, Winifred Notty. Winifred is out of her mind, truly. I don’t normally lean towards horror books because I am easily spooked but this one really caught my eye. The title and cover were enough to hook me in and truly, the story was an interesting ride.

It was fast paced and belongs on one of those “Feminine Rage” book tables at Barns and Noble.

Thank you so much Netgalley, W.W. Norton & Company, and RB media for this ARC!

Victorian Psycho: Imagine if Mary Poppins and Elizabeth Báthory were one unhinged young lady.
Winifred Notty is a governess taking care of two children she doesn't like, for employers who lust after (the mister) and despise (the missus) her. The story also gives commentary on how absurd the beliefs of the Victorian times were; the roles of men, women and children and how ill-informed people were.

I can say I genuinely laughed hard enough (at certain macabre scenes) that I had to put my ereader down and compose myself before continuing. I ended up reading the audiobook just so I'd be able to experience it again. So I've read and listened to this book once each, over the last week. Loved it. Fred Notty is such a great character. Can't wait for the film adaptation.

Wonderful voice actor. Her portrayal of this (sure to be) iconic character was exactly the right tone.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, but I look forward to reading and reviewing other books by this author in the future.

Victorian Psycho was a wickedly witty and unhinged ride. A Victorian, genderbent retelling of American Psycho, starring the inimitable and unforgettable Winifred Notty. While horribly gruesome, Feito weaves enough humor to lighten the overall effect, and made this a genuinely enjoyable read.

This book was ridiculous The writing style was strange and bizarre. I pretty much skimmed the last half of it. I am shocked that this book has already been optioned for a feature film. Who knows maybe the film will be better than the novel, but I'm amazed at all the glowing reviews. This book insulted my intelligence. It was dumb, campy, and redundant. Stay far away from this novel.

When Winifred arrives as the new perfect governess, the new masters of the house seem a little… off. Maybe a little too obsessed with anatomy. Followed by meeting the servants, awkward moments, and just a curious comment of eating the children. Is it all imagination or is this the reality?

I liked the moments the author broke the third wall- letting the unreliable narrator of Winifred share her humor with the reader. Every tiny thing is written in detail but perhaps, a little too much. At times, the writer was trying to think for the reader, which isn’t always my favorite. Even though this is considered fast pace, the story felt slow but perhaps that had more to do with not a lot happening in the progress.

As a novella, this felt accomplished. I struggle with endings in some novellas, when it seems like an unfinished story but didn’t get that from this one. There’s some unexpected, if chaotic, humor at the end and I would have liked if it had been more throughout the story. It’s a fitting title.

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Victorian Psycho from the author, NetGalley and W.W. Norton! 🫶

“It is early fall, the cold is beginning to descend, and in three months everyone in this house will be dead.”

Victorian Psycho had me hooked from the moment I read the first line in the story! 🖤 I immediately was intrigued and just had to find out more. It also is one of the craziest and wildest stories I have ever read! 🙀🙀 Winnifred Notty appears to be the perfect governess when she shows up to the governess for the Pound family. However, appearances are not as they seem and Winnifred is no Mary Poppins. She’s been through so much trauma in her life from when she was a child and she has a major dark side to her that’s clawing its way to make its appearance as she slowly descends into madness. Definitely be sure to check out the trigger warnings for this story before reading because this story is not for the faint-of-heart! ⚠️ If you love gothic horror, an antiheroine FMC, Coraline and Tim Burton vibes, and American Psycho vibes then be sure to check out this book!

"They won't like me, I think. They must like me. They will remember me."

Delightfully dark and deliciously upsetting - this book points out the absurdity of inviting someone into your life to rear and care for your children, sleep under your roof with unlocked doors and unconscious souls, to dine at your table and live under your watchful gaze. Do you really know who you bring into your house?

Winnifred is the new governess invited into the Pounds house. She is to watch after 2 children - the younger male heir, and the older teen daughter. She is excited and awed to be here.

But this story is dark quick. I devoured it, shaking my head in surprise as Fred's darkness unfurls and we see who she really is. There is a definite shift in the last 10%, as we rush to the final shocking conclusion. I am sad that I missed this author's previous work - I will definitely be reading more!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Victorian Psycho is what happens when gothic fiction and psychological thrillers have a slightly unhinged, overly dramatic love child. The premise is fantastic—Victorian-era intrigue, psychological unraveling, and plenty of eerie atmosphere. Virginia Fieto clearly knows how to set a scene.

Some plot points felt like they needed a bit more meat on their bones, and the prose, while beautifully descriptive, occasionally bordered on “Okay, we get it, the candlelight is flickering ominously.”

Overall I had a great time. If you love gothic vibes, psychological turmoil, and violent outbursts then this is for you.

An interesting riff on subversive Victorian feminist literature, if a bit too sensational for my taste.

I really loved Virginia Feito’s Mrs March, which is the same style of story but benefitted greatly from a far lighter touch. I think it’s tough to make spree killing funny, which is why I struggled a bit more with this one.

It’s not that some of the humor isn’t good (I did laugh out loud at the horrible dinner guests “There’s a chimney sweep stuck in our chimney!”), but that the gleeful murder spree at the end felt like a bit much and really could have used a bit of subtlety and discernment on the part of the killer.

To Feito’s credit, there’s no confusion about the farcical nature of this. She’s taken a picture she out of the Bret Easton Ellis playbook (if that wasn’t already obvious from the title) and gone with the sensory overload, pure sensationalism approach. Not my personal preference, as gore for gore’s sake never works for me even if it’s clearly somewhat tongue in cheek, as is the case here.

This was very short, and I think that was a good call given the material, and the writing is certainly sharp. I preferred Mrs March significantly over this one, but it’s also worth a read.

This was the longest 200 page book I have ever read in my life. I fell asleep several times reading this. I found it so hard to care about what was happening because the pacing was so slow. You’re never given much time to emotionally invest in any characters because there is no development for any of them. It takes a while to get to a lot of the gore and the really creepy content. There’s not as much of it all throughout the book as I expected there to be it’s mostly towards the end. The one thing I did like is that it’s written as if the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. Also, given that the narrator is completely unreliable you’re left to wonder a bit if what they say is happening is actually what is going on.

A brilliant novel that is diabolical, creepy, and will leave you guessing what you just read. Beware of who you hire to take care of your children. You might end up with a lot of regrets.