This book was a blast—fun, unhinged, and full of gore! It completely pulled me in with its wild energy and unpredictable twists. I loved every moment of the experience. If you’re looking for something thrilling and a little crazy, this one’s definitely worth a read!

Such a fun romp through murder. The comedic tone adds so much to the bloodbath that keeps coming. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you Liveright and NetGalley for the copy!

Victorian Psycho is a romp. It’s funny and definitely features an unhinged main character.

The humour lies a lot within poking fun of Victorian lifestyles and the “politeness” of rich society. It’s a fun, murderous quick read but I can’t say it leaves a lasting

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Victoria Psycho takes place in a Victorian household, where Winifred Notty is named as the new governess. Arriving at the Ensor House, she is put in charge of tutoring and taking care of the Pounds’ children. However, Winifred wants to deviate from this role and step into darkness.

“I was sixteen years old when I realized I was unable to feel fear. At least, not in the way other people experience it - in the undignified, acutely desperate sort of way.”

And indeed, this novella - and its main character - were totally fearless! In Victoria Psycho, the author excelled at portraying horror. Although the writing style was reflective of its time, it was sometimes a little bit over the top. The story, while being gruesome, fast paced and slightly comedic, seemed to lack meaning and direction. I would’ve loved to know more about the characters’ background. I think this book just wasn’t for me personally, as I don’t do well with extreme violence; especially against babies and animals.

You might want to read this if you are in the mood for a fast-paced book showing women rage, horror, violence and the ugliness of the Victorian era.

I can’t really decide on how I feel.

This was an amazingly well written book. It was depraved in a way that worked for the story itself.

The first half felt compelling and I wanted to keep pushing forward and was hooked. The second half became repetitive and boring, and this is a short book.

I finished it, but it wasn’t my favorite horror in this type of story.

Victorian Pyscho by Virginia Feito was a dark campy read. The story was brimming with deranged thoughts and disgustingly gory descriptions of old English food and murder. Our main character, Winifred Notty, the oh so dutiful governess of the not so charming Andrew and Drusilla gives new meaning to giving into intrusive thoughts. The story is unhinged. It’s a darkly humorous gothic thrill ride. This is a story that will linger with you long after the last page.

Victorian Psycho is not for the faint of heart. It’s a fast-paced Gothic Horror novel with a twisty plot and twisted characters. Readers begin their journey with the arrival of Winifred Notty, the new governess, at Ensor House in Grim Wolds, England. She will be caring for the two children of the household, but she also arrives with a few other secrets and plans, as well.

And things get gruesome, fast.

Winifred is our narrator, and it soon becomes clear that she isn’t very reliable. The blurred lines between reality and imagination, combined with the memorable writing style, Gothic vibes, and darkly humorous tone made for quite a fun reading experience. I won’t forget this book any time soon, that’s for sure.

I will warn you, this book can get graphic - so if you are sensitive to certain content, I would definitely check your trusted sources for content warnings!

*Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company | Liveright for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

Genres: horror, historical fiction
- dark humour, jealousy, rage, gore, dark side of human nature, visceral.
Pages: 208

This was a fast-paced short read I couldn't put down.

Although I found myself laughing at times because it had some really great dark humour, this story contains some really graphic violence (check the content warnings.)

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

"I turn my head, the darkness of the blindfold moving along with me so faithfully, I wonder if this blackness isn't in fact the real world, and the true blindfold is that other world of colour we are accustomed to."

Winifred, get it girl 💅

Many thanks to W.W. Norton & Company and Netgalley for sharing a digital copy. As always, opinions are my own. 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻

Victorian Psycho contains some really beautiful prose, and a delightfully unhinged FMC. While the first half was a bit too slow of a build for me, the second half redeemed itself and took me on a wild fever dream of a ride! I loved the extreme character dynamics, and how the more I think about this book the more it burrows under my skin becoming a new favorite. I am really excited to see what this author comes up with next.

Victorian Psycho is a wild romp that follows Winifred, the new governess of two children from a dysfunctional family. Fred appears prim and proper on the outside but harbors a predisposition to violence coupled with a complete absence of emotion and accountability. While this novel is full of disturbing content, Fred is an oddly endearing anti-hero with hilarious inner dialogue and this cheeky humor lightens up the story. I really enjoyed this sharp and witty blend of historical fiction and horror and cannot wait to see the adaptation!

Oh this was fun, at least as fun as spending time in the head of a deranged psychopath can be...which is very. Honestly.

My favorite part was the baby murder (don't you love being able to say that), it was so unexpected and ruthless on an authorial level, one of those "Oh snap, okay!" moments when you're just like oh this is what we're doing, it's on. I love to see it. And how what follows it is such a perfect encapsulation of the grotesquerie and shallowness of the rich society surrounding the narrator who only stands out as more insane due to the wanton bloodletting...because damn, all of these people are fucked up.

I'm docking a star for the amount of suspension of disbelief asked of me with regard to body disposal, but only because I'm miserly. This is more of a 4.5 star read really. I had a good time!

My thanks to W. W. Norton & Company | Liveright and NetGalley for the ARC.

he Victorian Psycho is a chilling psychological thriller that pulls you deep into the darkness of Victorian England, where the line between sanity and madness becomes dangerously blurred. This gripping novel, full of tension and suspense, takes readers on a journey through the murky depths of the human mind, making it a must-read for fans of gothic horror and psychological suspense.

The story revolves around Winifred Notty, whose troubled mental state is both intriguing and deeply unsettling. As the protagonist grapples with their inner demons, the story brilliantly explores themes of identity, perception, and the Victorian-era treatment of mental illness. The contrast between the outwardly polite society and the grim realities of the protagonist’s mind is both haunting and thought-provoking. What makes The Victorian Psycho particularly engaging is its rich atmosphere. The author expertly captures the essence of Victorian London—its foggy streets, oppressive atmosphere, and the eerie sense of isolation that permeates the story. It’s a world where societal expectations clash with the harsh realities of mental health, and where nothing is ever as it seems.

The Victorian Psycho is an exceptional blend of historical fiction, psychological thriller, and gothic horror. The haunting atmosphere, rich character development, and intricate exploration of mental illness make this a standout read. It’s a dark, twisted, and immersive experience that will leave you questioning the nature of reality long after you finish the final page.

I probably would not have read this book if I didn’t receive it as an ARC. It was dark (to be expected), gory, but also funny at times. I do wish readers received more backstory about the main character but this may have been intentional to keep her mysterious!

Thank you Liveright for my free ARC of Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito — available now!

» READ IF YOU «
🩸 can't resist a witty, irreverent read full of gore and chaos
💃 love an absolutely unhinged female main character
🔪 ever fantasized about murdering your employer (we listen and we don't judge, babe)

» SYNOPSIS «
Winifred Notty makes her way to Ensor House, destined to labor as the new governess for the horrible Pounds children. Outwardly prim and proper, our girl Winny is hiding the fact that she's absolutely teetering on the edge of sanity, what with her violent fantasies and a (honestly well-deserved) loathing for the Pounds family. With Christmas approaching, Winifred starts to crumble, and she absolutely cannot WAIT to gift the inhabitants of Ensor House exactly what they each deserve.

» REVIEW «
Hello, I want to be Winifred when I grow up. Or Virginia Feito. Or maybe Virginia's best friend? Hello? Virginia? Are you accepting bestie applications???

Listen, this novel is an absolute masterclass in hilarity-horror. It is sooo incredibly smart, well-written, and witty, but also endlessly entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny the entire way through. Winifred is one of the most unforgettable protagonists I've come across in ages, what with her sardonic wit and disturbing inner monologue. We can all relate though, to a degree? Or is that just me....

I can't fail to mention how excellently rendered all the gothic Victorian elements are, and the prose itself is so sharp and evocative. Personally, I think this novel is a perfect example of combining horror with humor. The story is fast-paced, relatively short, and absolutely wild. If dark humor and unhinged heroines are your thing, Victorian Psycho is one thousand percent a must-read for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publishers for the copy! Victorian Psycho was such a highly anticipated book for me — with the simmering eeriness and governess protagonist in the likes of Jane Eyre, it certainly delivers an air of enigmatic horror that both mystifies and entrances the reader.

I did feel, however, that the writing was a bit lackluster at times, which was disappointing seeing how there were other moments of vibrant descriptions and rhythmic syntax. One thing I really enjoyed was that Virginia Feito doesn't shy away from imbuing sardonicism into her gory scenes. Like squeezing in acid to cut through fat, the cryptic humor slices through the violent tension and only strengthens the illustrations further. I laughed so hard towards the end when she tells Mrs. Pounds that she is in fact a good governess and that her children are just incredibly stupid.

I also really liked the slight commentary on children and how so much focus is placed on them at a young age, yet no care is given to them during their actual life. Feito writes, "Why care about people when they're small if no one cares about them when they're grown?" I thought that was a brilliant addition to give greater complexity to Winifred's character.

Overall, I enjoyed this more towards its end and wish that we didn't have to wait until the last quarter of the book to feel entirely captivated. I think Feito creates excellent premises, but I would love to see her work towards sharpening her execution of these ideas

Sometimes, you just 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 when a book is going to be your kind of twisted. The cover, the premise—it all whispers promises of creeping dread and elegant depravity. And let me tell you, Victorian Psycho DELIVERS.

Winifred Notty steps into Ensor House as the perfect governess, poised and proper. She tutors. She curtsies. She makes the occasional joke about eating children. But under that polished exterior? A woman with 𝙣𝙤 patience for the disgusting little lives of the Pounds family or the absurd rules of Victorian society. She waits, watching, knowing that Christmas will bring more than just festive cheer—it will bring 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨.

One of my favorite aspects was how proper the writing felt—graceful, refined, and almost detached—which only made the shocking acts of violence hit harder.I’ve seen some criticism that Winifred seemingly and unrealistically “gets away” with so much, but that’s kind of the point. This is 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚—a sharp, vicious reflection of high society’s greed, vanity, and obliviousness. The fact that no one even notices their own children being swapped out? Hilarious. 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

What I loved most was Winifred herself. She sees the absurdity of Victorian expectations, calls it out with cutting wit, and refuses to be controlled. The parallels between her story and themes of greed, gluttony, and false authority (especially from men) were chef’s kiss. And that twist? I was 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.

As a plot-based reader, I don’t need deep character arcs or a neatly structured narrative—I just need a ride. And this book gave me exactly that. Horror doesn’t have to fit into a box, and Victorian Psycho is proof that modern horror is evolving into something sharper, more unhinged and freeform. And the twist?? Delicious. Fred gave 𝙯𝙚𝙧𝙤 f***s and lived her life for the plot, and honestly? I think a lot of women will have an absolute blast living vicariously through her chaos.

ARC provided by W. W. Norton & Company

A woman, a knife, and a mind unraveling—Victorian Psycho is as darkly intoxicating as it is unsettling. Virginia Feito, the brilliant mind behind Mrs. March, returns with a gothic psychological thriller that slithers under your skin and refuses to let go.

Set against the backdrop of rigid Victorian society, the novel follows a woman teetering on the edge of sanity, consumed by obsession, repression, and the eerie confines of her own mind. What begins as a quiet, simmering tension soon escalates into something far more sinister, as the protagonist’s grip on reality slips and her darkest urges take hold. Feito masterfully blends psychological horror with gothic atmosphere, crafting a narrative as elegant as it is disturbing.

The novel is an unsettling character study, peeling back the layers of its protagonist’s psyche in a way that feels both intimate and terrifying. The prose is lush, immersive, and tinged with an eerie beauty that lulls you into a false sense of security before plunging you into the depths of madness. Every shadow feels alive, every whispered thought dangerous. Feito has a way of making the mundane feel menacing, turning polite society into a pressure cooker where the inevitable explosion is as shocking as it is inevitable.

Victorian Psycho is a slow descent into darkness, the kind of novel that makes you question whether the true horror lies in the supernatural—or in the human mind itself. Fans of gothic fiction, psychological thrillers, and female-driven horror will devour this one. Haunting, twisted, and utterly unshakable, Feito has delivered another masterpiece.

A creepy and unhinged imagining of the anti Mary Poppins: a darkly funny, disgusting and shocking story I couldn’t put down. You’ll find yourself shaking your head, laughing nervously, rereading that last sentence to make sure you got it right, and then plowing on to get to the next intense moment. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Oh what a fun book! Such a slow burn until a blood bath at the end! For fans of strong female lead gothic horror novels. Highly recommend.

It took me awhile to write this review but I loved the arc of this book, it was lovely, creepy and so very american psycho vibes I loved every second of it. The snippets of backstory we got were perfect and the ending was exactly what should've happened to this insane nanny