Living up to its name, Victorian Psycho drops the reader inside the mind of a murderous governess with plenty of secrets. At times strange, sardonic, and shocking in equal measure, Winifred is a menacing main character who flits from estate to estate with a trail of destruction in her wake. Though the chapters were short and the book more a novella, I found the humor and smart, incisive commentary (“I fail to understand why men think violence will intimidate women. Women, who bleed all over themselves every month…who burst open in childbirth, vagina splitting and anus sagging, tiny hardening fingernails clawing inside of them.”) wasn’t enough to propel me through the whisper of a plot and the casual violence. In such a short book, there wasn’t time to develop much of the MC backstory beyond “the Darkness” and her pure bloodthirst, but for anyone who prefers a dark comedic read: this one is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito. Thanks to @w.w.norton for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Winifred plans to be the perfect Victorian nanny at her new job, but the longer she stays there the more her compulsions of the past come back.

An odd but entertaining story, if you’re not bothered by gore and don’t have triggers, this would be a good one to read. I loved how it takes on old fashioned style writing to fit with the times. With the insanity of the main character, it just works well.

“Preposterous, of course, dear reader, I fear I am succumbing to elaborate flights of fancy. I must not let that happen. This shan’t be like the other times.”

Victorian Psycho comes out 2/4.

"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."

"I wonder if this blackness isn't in fact the real world and the true blindfold is that other world of color we are accustomed to."


Do you love the Victorian era? Did you adore Maeve Fly like I did? Well, what if you could have both? Trust me when I say, that’s exactly what you get with Victorian Psycho!

I’m talking about a main character who is completely unhinged, and I couldn’t get enough of her. Everyone else in the story was insufferable, which only made Winnifred stand out to me even more. I loved her in all her true, twisted glory. 

The book weaves between the present and the past, and as it unfolds, you get a peek into the chaos that runs wild in Winnifred’s mind. She’s completely detached from normal human emotions (no fear, no pain) just a cold, calculating mind, ready to explode. Christmas Day at Elsnor House is her grand finale, and trust me, it’s a doozy.

The writing in this book is phenomenal. Feito makes you feel like you’re right there in the heart of the Victorian darkness. I loved how atmospheric it was. I also really loved the randomness of the main character acknowledging us, the readers, as if we were right there with her. Such a clever touch!

This book is a must read if you love Gothic horror, unhinged characters, and stories that aren’t afraid to dive deep into the dark side of the mind. Just know this one is violent and twisted, but if that’s your jam, you won’t want to miss it.

I'm going to need a physical copy of this for my shelves. 🖤

I just heard that A24 picked up the movie rights, and I am beyond excited for this! I can’t wait to see how they bring this story to life. I am SO here for it!


✨Thank you to Liveright and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

✨Pub Date: February 4, 2025 ✨

Meh. I thought Mrs March was excellent, so I was excited to read another book by the same author, but this one wasn't for me. Whereas Mrs. March slowly ratchets up the psychological tension and the disturbed mind of its protagonist, Victorian Psycho starts with the unhingedness already turned up to 11, and where is there to go from there really? Felt like it was just gory and unpleasant for the sake of being gory and unpleasant, and I didn't enjoy it.

Victorian Psycho is a disturbing and unsettling tale that probes the murky depths of a governess’s psyche, blending psychological horror with the dark, gothic atmosphere of Victorian England. Feito's writing is undeniably evocative, with vivid descriptions of both the oppressive physical setting and the even more oppressive mental landscape of her protagonist.

Overall, Victorian Psycho is a chilling, well-crafted narrative that offers a uniquely disturbing glimpse into the mind of its protagonist. Feito’s sharp wit and eye for macabre detail make for an absorbing read, but the lack of depth in some of the character development and the pacing issues prevent it from achieving its full potential. I would rate this novel 3 stars out of 5—a creepy and enjoyable read for those who enjoy gothic horror, but one that could have benefited from more nuanced character exploration.

It’s definitely worth reading if you’re looking for a gothic horror story that doesn’t shy away from the grotesque.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Wow, what a delightfully dark novella that doesn't hold back.

"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."

The writing is the star in this tale of a young woman posing as a governess to care for two children for a family that fully encompasses the feeling of Victorian high society. If the family had bothered to check any references, perhaps they could have been spared. Fear not. This is not a spoiler as it is clearly stated at the start of the story that the family will be dead within three months time. Virginia Fieto excels at prose that give the reader a visceral reaction, and refuses to pull any punches.

“I fail to understand why men think violence will intimidate women. Women, who bleed all over themselves every month […] Women who burst open in childbirth, vagina splitting and anus sagging, tiny, hardening fingernails clawing inside them, placentas like thick filet mignon.”

This novella will certainly not be for everyone, as no one in the story is safe from our completely unhinged and detached main character. The wit, satire and feminist remarks were most enjoyable, and the only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because I felt the plot was a bit lacking. 5 stars for the writing alone.

Not a genre I gravitate to but one I am very happy I read (amazing early reviews influenced me) What a story - dark, absurdly funny. The character of The unraveling of Winifred Notty is expected from the beginning, but I loved the journey Feito takes the reader on to get there. Christmas at Ensor House is chaotic, tragic and let's just say not very festive! Highly recommend this dark gothic novel. Sensitive readers will likely want to pass.

This was wild! Simple Victorian plot circa 1800s, months leading to the Christmas season.
Winifred Notty (Ms. Notty) has been employed as the household governess to the Ponds family.
She is to care and educate the 2 children, Drusilla and Andrew. She is not the average Governess! From creepy gross tales to dark humor sprinkled throughout the plot. A fantastic mix of Gothic and psychological horror. We follow Winifred as she recalls her day to day at the Ponds household with very strange and gruesome actions. Cheeky; Winnifred has moments of thought she directs towards the readers! I found myself chuckle throughout this book. I kept questioning if she was psychotic and gone unhinged or if she was just imagining everything. The slight twist was great, although not a huge Surprise in the plot it does change the whole pace and gave it the finale well deserved! Love it and highly recommend anyone who enjoys a good horror to pick this up. I will definitely re-read this.


Thank you, Netgalley, for my advanced copy in return for my honest review.

God I loved this so much. Disgusting, raw, medieval. Reminded me of Lapvona in a way!! The writing was suffocating and I love that it took it there up until the very end. Loved!

I loved it! Victorian Psycho is the story of well... a Victorian psycho governess. For me personally it was the perfect balance of funny, shocking, and violent. The setting was done very well and created an eerie, unsettling but intriguing vibe. It was also the perfect length to capture the plot, develop the main character, and keep you hooked from start to finish. I will definitely be recommending to my fellow horror lovers!

Victorian psycho is a look into the mind of a governess who does not feel fear. She is so matter of fact on her views that it’s darkly funny, and things play out in a disturbing way. This do a good job of conveying the time period and showing the sensibilities against Winifred’s own views. The end felt a bit rushed but this did deliver exactly what you’d expect from the title and description and was a fun, fast read.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What did I just read! I don’t know!
When I opened this book, I didn’t know if I was going to finish it, let alone like it. The prose and the writing is VERY Victorian, and I just didn’t really expect that.

Thankfully, it wasn’t hard to read. This was a very fast paced book, and I did enjoy reading it. I felt like the ending fell flat, even though we were told the ending throughout multiple points in the story.
Victorian Psycho is very much if Patrick Bateman was a governess in the victorian era, which I gathered from the title of the book, but it is SO much like American Psycho. I don’t mean that in a bad way, reimaginings are always fun!

Winifred was a deeply disturbing yet humorously dark character! And her employers were just terrible, none of them likable.

Thank you to Netgalley and W.W Norton & Company/Liverwright for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton for this copy of "Victorian Psycho."

Fiendishly delightful!

Winifred Notty has been hired as the governess at Ensor House. She tell us in the beginning that within three months, everyone will be dead. So of course we want to know why and how?

"Fred" knows that she's unusual because she doesn't feel fear. And she's aware of the "Darkness" inside her and senses it in others. So does she let it out? Or does she do her best to contain it?

And as we learn how atrocious the Pounds family is, we wonder what "Fred" has planned for them.

Virginia Feito's "Victorian Psycho" tells the story of Winifred "Fred" Notty, a young governess who has been hired by the Pounds family to instruct their son and daughter. Ms. Notty, however, is not your typical governess. She's not even your typical Victorian woman. She comes from the town where all the babies end up dead. She likes to sink her teeth into raw meat. We see the household through her eyes, and flash back to her own childhood. This book was more "extreme horror" than I was anticipating, reminding me of CJ Leede's "Maeve Fly" at times. For those who like their horror books in a more atmospheric Gothic no-blood-just-vibes, kindly look elsewhere. "Victorian Psycho" is not for the faint of heart, though those who dare to pick it up are sure to be shockingly entertained. In the same vein as horror staples such as "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist", "Victorian Psycho"- which already has a film deal- is destined to be a freaky little classic.

She’s a bloodthirsty governess seeking vengeance in this one…
💀🪓 Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito 🪓💀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Mother first tried to kill me when I was thirteen months old… She tried again when I was three.”
You guys are not ready for this one! If you’re a feminine rage babe, or just love a simple and bloody novella, this one is for you. You’ll transition from “what the f*** am I reading?” to “Holy s**tballs, what did I just read?!” quite seamlessly.

Miss Notty is on a quest for vengeance. She has always been odd, and maybe just a little bit scary. Her father disappeared, her mother thinks the devil is inside of her. She’s peculiar, and a bit emotionless. She can be quite cavalier, but is steadfast in containing her insatiable need for blood. She’s not like the other girls, so they say.

The eerie and dark tone is set from page one, with a dreadful preface telling of death everywhere. The Victorian setting lends to the sexism and discrimination against the women, and even the children. The disdain Winifred feels toward the Pounds family and their various friends is shared. As time progresses, Winifred struggles to keep her urges at bay the more she gets to know the family, and it all builds up to a crescendo on Christmas Day. There is not a beat of suspense missed from page to page, you will feel unsettled until the very end.

Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company, Liveright, and NetGalley for this e-ARC to review! I can understand why this is one of the most anticipated releases for the new year.

“To this day I can’t help wondering what is like, fear. Coursing through your body like poison, eating away at your hopes, your ambitions, your self. I think it has to be the worst thing in the world.”

“A mother’s presence in a home is vital. Otherwise, who will instill in the children a sense of morality and tenderness?”

“Sometimes evil is born into one of the Lord’s creatures and there’s nowt to do about it, nowt at all.”
 
 
Summary:
Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House prepared to play the perfect Victorian governess—she’ll dutifully tutor her charges, Drusilla and Andrew, tell them bedtime stories, and only joke about eating children. But the longer Winifred spends within the estate’s dreary confines, and the more she learns of the perversions and pathetic preoccupations of the Pounds family, the more trouble she has sticking to her plan. Whether creeping across the moonlit lawns in her undergarments or gently tormenting the house staff, Winifred struggles at every turn to stifle the horrid compulsions of her past. When her chillingly dark imagination breaches the feeble boundary of reality on Christmas morning, Winifred is finally ready to deliver on her generous gifts. Wielding her signature sardonic wit and a penchant for the gorgeously macabre, Virginia Feito returns with a vengeance in Victorian Psycho.

“It’s crushed in paint. It’s papered on the walls. Everywhere, death.”

Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Gothic

I went in to this knowing it would be dark and horrifying but I honestly had no idea. I was a little disappointed in the abruptness of the last quarter of the book. There's a feeling that the author had to wrap it up quickly and just kind of threw everything at the reader. I would have liked the author to have written more to finish out the story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.

HAHAHA THIS WAS SO UNHINGED I LOVED IT
the historical Victorian Gothic setting mixed with dark humor worked so well for me - it reminded me a lot of the movie The Favorite. I loved being in the dark but silly mind of Fred, it’s rare that a book can make me actually laugh but I was giggling at the absurd ending. Cannot wait to see Margaret Qualley murder this role in the movie adaptation

4.5 Stars.
Because anything a man can do, a woman can do just as well! Even murder.

Victorian Psycho is a quick and relentless read following a Ms. Winifred Notty arriving at Ensor house to begin her new job as governess. She tells us that everyone in the home will be dead within three months and our story begins.

The writing was deeply descriptive and creates a perfectly captivating atmosphere that pulls you right into the story. I flew through this one because I simply couldn't make myself stop reading. Sprinkled with commentary of the time and poking fun at the way women were treated as weak, fragile individuals, it made for a delightful read (aside from the dead kids, and there is a lot).

I want to make it very clear that the content within is extreme, graphic, and hard to read at times. This is not a book for everyone, but those who get it will love it. The way the author balances satire & humor with horrific acts of violence is commendable. From one second laughing at the inner musings of our main character, to the next moment being faced with graphic, jaw-dropping, murder scenes. Not sure how she pulled it off, but this book has the perfect blend.

This is for the feminine rage girls, the unhinged woman lovers, the women's wrong supporters. Those who read and loved:
-𝘈 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳
-𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵
-𝘔𝘢𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘺
Do not hesitate to pick up Victorian Psycho. I foresee this being one that a lot of people are talking about soon 👀

Starting off the year with a five star read! I have been so excited to read this, after loving the author’s other book- Mrs. March.
Everything about this was perfect and I did not expect the ending at all!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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

Winifred Notty (along with her demon Fred) is an antiheroine whose mind is gone due to her childhood and life experiences up to the point at which we meet her. Despite her assurances that 'this will not be like the other times' our protagonist leaves a baffling and chaotic narrative dripping in blood.

The twists at the end were unexpected and this book is full of atmosphere, gore, and dark humor.

This book was unlike anything else I had read - a cross somewhere between a regency novel and Stephen King and was a fun read that I devoured quickly.

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company | Liveright and NetGalley for this ARC- It is one I will be thinking about long past the final page.