I went into this expecting a satire and so that lens is what framed most of my reading experience. This book has so many quotes that if done correctly with the upcoming film, could become a cult classic like thrillers like “Megan’s Body” and other slashers of that sort. Think Wednesday Adams meets Joe from You except Winifred is infinitely more funny and personable despite maybe or maybe not being an axe murderer. When they ask her if she has any repentance for her crimes as they carry her up to the gallows all she can say, in what, to me at least, alluded to Marie Antoinette’s own execution, was: “It was grand. It was all grand”.

The first half of this book dragged but from the end of act 1 onwards it was such a fun ride. At times I found myself struggling to piece together some of the micro elements of the text to understand what the author was trying to say altogether. Fred has religious trauma, childhood trauma, abandonment issues and is also very hyper sexual. How do all of those elements play together? Why is the emphasis on her sexuality so important in framing her as a Victorian Psycho?

At times there were phrases that felt not of the time like when Mr. Pounds referred to Fred as a “fat bitch”, or Fred’s constant quippy sexual jests. Of course all of these elements come together to create the out of place-ness Feito was going for when creating the characters and the story at large, but I’d love to be able to hear more from the author herself on how all of that blends together and why those elements are so important because if we take them out, we just have a story about a nanny who kills. But hey, even that, was still funny as f**k.

3/5 stars. Such a fun short read.

This was the most fun I've had with a horror in a minute. The main character is like an evil Amelia Bedelia. You know those stories that follow a woman's descent into madness? Ms Notty is already mad. A victorian governess with an ulterior motive tries to fight her darker, slasher urges (and fails in a delightfully miserable fashion).

Thank you to NetGalley & W.W. Norton & Company for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book may not be for everyone. Definitely trigger warning for this.

This book was a great winter read for me lol I kept laughing, I don't know what that says about me. A perfect unhinged, deranged, and hilarious Christmas historical gothic horror thriller read if that's what you're looking for! Yes to all these descriptions! It was very atmospheric and gothic. The characters are very off putting but the inner dialogue of the main character's kept me second guessing on the situation and people. This is a rather short book so the pacing was perfect for me. The conclusion was unexpected but satisfactory to me. I might just buy myself a physical copy of this book when it releases because this story is quite hilariously memorable to me. I hope the film adaptation will be just as good if not better.

It is only January and I think this will go down as the weirdest book I will read in 2025. Victoria Psycho hits every single category that this is listed as - gothic, horror, gore, and mystery. I am still mulling over what I read.

Highly unsettling and deeply disturbing, Victorian Psycho will sit with you for days. The perversion of the main character, Winifred Notty, is on par with Hannibal Lecter and Patrick Bateman. If you are someone that does not handle gratuitous violence I suggest passing on Victorian Psycho. If you are a horror or thriller fan like myself, this book is perfect for you. I have a special place in my heart for gothic horrors or period horror pieces, and this book hit all criteria for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“It fascinates me, the fact that humans have the capacity to mortally wound one another at will, but for the most part, choose not to.”

Okay, take Mary Poppins but make her like Patrick Bateman from American Psycho and you will get a good idea of what to expect in this Victorian era story of the governess, Winnifred Notty.
Wild and snarky with sharp wit and inappropriate humor that just feels so wrong for the time period but it is just hysterical. There were multiple times that I was glad I didn’t have a mouthful because I would have spit it all over my Kindle.
Blood splatters, maggots crawl and no one escapes the lunacy that is Miss Notty. (Yes, there are several humorous names that fit their personality). She is a sociopath with sass.
I would have liked to make a better connection to any of the characters but that would be my only complaint.
“the experiences I lived there will remain with me until the day I die, right until the very moment I look down upon the shadow made by my dangling feet on the gallows floor.”

In Gothic literature, a governess is to be well-behaved, innocent, demure, well-mannered, and unseen. They are to tutor, amuse, and keep the children from bothering the adults. Envision Henry James’ unnamed governess from The Turn of the Screw, or Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. They epitomize the tragic, chaste, and repressed women who—due to loss of station or parents—find themselves in dire straits. By her own admission, Ms. Winifred Notty—the governess in Victorian Psycho-- is headstrong, wicked, immodest, uncouth, and quite large. Think of someone who is part evil governess Madame de la Rougierre from Uncle Silas (Sheridan Le Fanu), and part serial killer and bather-in-virginal-blood, Countess Elizabeth Bathory.

Ms. Notty arrives at Ensor House to work for the Pounds’. As the governess, she is to tutor Andrew (to prepare him for boarding school), and Drucilla (to make her marketable for marriage). However, the feral children have their own plans. They are used to doing what they want, whenever they want. If this was Mary Poppins, our governess would apply doses of love, kindness, and gentle prodding to turn these children around. But Ms. Notty has her own set of plans that do not center on being kind to children. She has a more sinister reason: to ensure that everyone in the household will be dead by Christmas.

If we are to believe her, Ms. Notty has left a trail of blood and death behind her. She also seems to hallucinate. Can we believe her? Is she a murderer, misunderstood, or mentally ill? Does she really eat babies? Should the Reverend and Mrs. Pounds be concerned (where is the maid, by the way)? Should they cancel their Christmas celebration consisting of a fortnight of overnight guests? People with wonderful Dickensian names such as: Mr. and Mrs. Fancey (nee Poncy); Art Fishal (artificial?); Mrs. Able; the widow Mrs. Manners (“the notorious Dowager); and the maid, Miss Lamb (ready for the slaughter).

This novella is packed with wit, dark humor, and a protagonist who pulls you in with her internal dialogue and observations. She is intelligent, no-nonsense, and—as her name implies—quite naughty. She’s the kind of unreliable narrator that makes you feel sorry for while also making you chastise yourself for doing so.

I think anyone who likes their Gothic literature to be dark, and stay dark, would enjoy this thoughtful and humorous novella.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Liveright for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Utterly horrible, but I suppose that's the point! Virginia Feito doesn't hold back (and neither does her dastardly heroine). It's smart, disgusting, and weirdly funny in all the right places. Definitely a "what the hell did I just read" situation. But then, what did you expect?

Victorian Psycho is a disturbing and darkly comedic horror novel, and my first (but definitely not last) book by author Virginia Feito.

"Little girls everywhere will know they can aspire to kill, too - 'tis not only the men that do."

This is a unique take on the serial killer story - a woman in Victorian times killing without remorse or regret. Our main character, Ms. Notty, is unpredictable and unhinged, and when the bloodshed starts you just have to hold on for the ride.

I loved the quick pace - this is not your typical slow-burn gothic horror. You learn very early on how things will turn out and there is often immediate pay-off to the disturbing ideas present in our lead's mind. The authorial voice is also very humorous and satirical, with Ms. Notty often giving a rejoinder directly to the reader.

There were two aspects that kept this from being a five-star read: the writing style and the length. As someone who rarely (aka never) reads classics, the voice took a few chapters to get used to, and I often had to stop to look up the meaning of a word. As for the length, I wish this had actually been a bit longer. While the author did not shy away from the gory details, there were some scenes that could have been expounded upon, particularly the climax and the events afterward.

Victorian Psycho will not be for everyone, but for those who love a horror novel that doesn't hold it's punches when it comes to the bloodshed and carnage it may be one of your favorites of the year.

4/5 stars

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

It is a darkly compelling tale that draws the reader into the shadowy corridors of Ensor House, where Winifred Notty arrives to serve as governess to the Pound children, Andrew and Drusilla. With its atmospheric setting, morally complex protagonist, and richly layered narrative, the novel is a modern homage to the Victorian penny dreadful, packed with secrets, suspense, and psychological depth.
Winifred for me is an unforgettable character—enigmatic, tormented, and unrelentingly cruel. Beneath her prim exterior lies a seething darkness that manifests in chilling acts of sadism toward both animals and people. Feito masterfully unveils Winifred’s inner turmoil, revealing glimpses of a tragic past that tether her to her cruelty. Yet, for all her malevolence, I cannot help but empathize with her. Winifred’s twisted actions are driven by an innate desire for justice—a notion that she clings to even as it propels her deeper into madness. This moral ambiguity is at the heart of the novel, forcing us to ask ourselves uncomfortable questions about revenge, morality, and the seek of redemption.
The story is infused with Victorian traditions, from the eerie, candlelit halls of Ensor House to the rigid social structures that define the lives of its inhabitants (upstairs/downstairs). Feito skillfully incorporates these elements, evoking the serialized thrillers of the era. One can almost imagine Victorian Psycho being devoured in weekly installments by gaslight, its readers alternately horrified and enthralled.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who relish gothic fiction, it’s an unmissable read. The mix of horror, psychological complexity, and Victorian tradition makes it a modern masterpiece in the genre. Feito has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page, a haunting exploration of the darkness within us all.

This was a tough one to read. Personally, it’s not for me. I like my horror to be actually scary rather than just plain gross. This…was just plain gross and seemed to go nowhere. I don’t get the point of this book? Was there one?

Absolutely obsessed with this. The tone and narrative voice is perfect, so immersive and fun. The slippages with reality were deliciously twisted and the narrator is such a likable and interesting antihero. She has an incredibly unique characterization and voice that carries you through the text, I read it in a sitting.

This book took me for a wild ride! This was so dark and grotesque but had many humorous moments. The way the author described everything made it feel so disgusting and vile. Even the descriptions of the food they ate had me nauseous. There was an unexpected twist at the end that felt satisfying.

I did not finish this book.

It started out that I thought it was going to be good. With the talk of death.

It's very poorly edited, and formatted. I had a hard time getting past those things.

This one was pretty twisted.
I mean, you're going to need a dark sense of humor to get through this. The violence may be a bit extreme for some-- I found myself giggling a few times.
I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, giving us an inside look at a depraved nanny. we also get teased with pieces of what is to come, and the occassional breaking of the 4th wall.

Overall-- a slim, fast-paced, high stakes, unhinged-female-serial-killer story for those who enjoy historical horror fiction with a sense of humor-- maybe even satirical. Gloriously gross fun!

Victorian-era historical fiction, slasher-style.

Like many novellas, Virginia Feito drops you into Victorian Psycho and doesn’t take her foot off the gas until you’ve finished the very last blood-soaked page.

Victorian Psycho takes “I support women’s rights, but also women’s wrongs” to the next level. Our protagonist, the murderous governess Winifred Notty, is wholly indiscriminate in her quest for blood and vengeance. The novella features some commentary on gender roles and repression, but no one is safe, child, scullery maid, or dowager alike.

With deft and clever prose, Feito skillfully guides the reader through the recesses of Winifred’s psyche, including her Darkness, a concept I found entirely relatable and extraordinarily well-executed.

If you love truly unhinged women, “good for her” horror, unreliable narrators, breaking the fourth wall, visceral gore, and Christmastime slashers, Victorian Psycho may be for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley, W.W. Norton, and Liveright for the e-ARC.

Four stars!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting, which wasn’t too hard since it’s under 200 pages. Despite its short page count, this novel(la) packs a punch. With Gothic undertones and whimsical writing, the atmospheric story captivated me with its gory, unexpected scenes, a fast paced descent into madness and a mystery that was satisfying once revealed. I wish it was longer because I feel like it ended just when it got good!

This book is fantastic! Victorian Psycho is the second novel by author Virginia Feito. In this book, we explore the life of Miss Notty, who works as a nanny for Mr. and Mrs. Pounds. Notty is a very interesting person. She’s not afraid of anything…like she actually can’t feel fear. This, coupled with her sociopathic tendencies, makes her the perfect main character.

This book came at the right time for me. After having seen (and loved) Nosferatu, I was really feeling a new gothic horror novel, and this delivered! I love, love, love the writing style! This is a modern book set in a Victorian setting. The writing is of an older time yet still accessible. Her writing feels as if care and precision was put into it, and I love the attention to detail.

There’s a great amount of gore sprinkled throughout. I was shocked but not disturbed to the point of turning away from the book. I love the twist, I love the setting, I love the characters. I also love that this has short chapters! The only qualms I have are the few small plot details that didn’t really add up at the beginning. Otherwise it’s virtually perfect, which earned it a 4/5 ✨.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I had a really hard time getting into this one. I almost DNF'ed but saw some good reviews & stuck with it, but ultimately this wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Every once in a while, I will find a book that calls to me and I'm not quite sure why. I saw this categorized as horror and Gothic, which I am sure you know are some of my favorite buzzwords, and knew I wanted to give it a go. And boy, am I glad I did! I finished this book several days ago and it is STILL sticking with me.

Ms. Winifred Notty is a governess by trade, even though it's pretty obvious she doesn't really like children. As the book opens, the reader sees her arriving for a new position at Ensor Houss for the Pounds family. Slowly Winifred falls into a routine carrying for the odd children, Andrew, who is weak but still the apple of his father's eyes and Druscilla, who is a bit peculiar with a hint of dangerousness mixed in. Winifred slowly becomes closer to Mr. Pounds, but not without the notice of Mrs. Pounds and as the book progresses, Winifred's behavior becomes more and more odd.

I don't want to say too much about this book. It's not an extremely long one and honestly, I think it's best to go into it with little information. As I was reading, I have to admit, I didn't like any of the characters and the children confirmed my life-long decision to not procreate. But man was I sure fascinated by all of them. At times the book reads like a fever dream and some of the sardonic thoughts in Winifred's mind did make me chuckle. I couldn't wait to see what happened next and devoured this book in two sittings. I also have to add, this book is not for the faint of heart and the ending... What an ending!

If you love Gothic horror and unhinged plots and characters, this is the book for you. There is a twist in Victorian Psycho I didn't see coming but once it had been revealed, it made so much sense. I definitely plan on going back and reading Feito's debut novel, Mrs. March. Even days after finishing it, I find my thoughts going back to this book. I need more from this author and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

"I am led, laughing, to the gallows before a crowd of thirty thousand."

#victorianpsycho is a razor sharp novel about one Winifred Notty, who arrives at Ensor House as a governess, with little fanfare but huge plans. SO well written, visceral, grotesque and yet, slightly humorous and with some pathos. Everything in this world is grey and rotting, even the children are disgusting. "Notty" is a sad, perverse character, yet one can't help laughing along (albeit, in horror) with her thoughts and comments. Her behavior is SO over the top, no one is suspicious of her, and she gets away with SO much. Highly recommend.

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.