I was so excited for Victorian Psycho but ended up sadly disliking it. I heard it was historical victorian female rage/horror and was immediately locked in, but the reality was much more shallow than I was expecting.

I finished the book wondering what the point was? The characters nor the plot were unique or memorable. I hate to say it but it felt like the author just wanted to capitalize on the "trend" of unhinged womanhood without putting any substance behind it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

Did Not Finish- This was a bit too extreme for me and I was thrown off by the writing style. I'm newer to this style of horror but I felt like some of the subject matter was a bit too much for the sake of shock value.

This gothic tale is a richly unsettling dive into Victorian-era secrets and psychological torment. Winifred Notty is a complex and intriguing protagonist, torn between her strict governess role and the haunting compulsions of her past. The eerie setting of Ensor House is vividly drawn, perfectly capturing a mood of creeping dread.
The story’s slow build and dark humor create a unique blend of tension and discomfort, though at times the pacing feels deliberately languid. The chilling climax lingers long after the final page.
A compelling read for fans of gothic fiction with a modern psychological twist.

Thanks Netgalley for the early copy!

If you like disturbing and gothic vibes this book has it. I really wanted to like this story but i just didn't see where the story was going. Like was there even a plot? I almost DNF it but pushed through.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. This was delightfully deranged. Recommend for anyone who wants a take on American Psycho without the misogyny.

This clever but surface-level satire blends Victorian gothic with *American Psycho* style excess, offering a feminist twist on sociopathy and revenge. Winifred Notty, a murderous governess with less depth than intrigue, is hired by the detestable Pounds family to watch their vile children who are, refreshingly, allowed to be truly awful. It's clear from the start that blood will spill, but don't expect deep commentary. This is stylish, cynical entertainment—perfect for the beach, if not much beyond.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC which I read in exchange for m y honest review.

A great premise, slightly soiled by a repetitive and predictable narrative. Overall, this was enjoyable but not my favorite.

This was sooo much fun. Feito did so much in so few pages. A classic gross horror. Can't wait to read more from her.

Victorian Psycho sounded like it had potential—a dark, twisted tale set in the eerie backdrop of Victorian times—but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. I found the story weird in a way that wasn’t compelling and overall hard to follow.

The plot felt disjointed, and the characters didn’t pull me in. I kept hoping it would all come together or build toward something satisfying, but instead it left me more confused than intrigued. The writing style might appeal to readers who enjoy abstract or experimental narratives, but it just didn’t work for me.

Bottom line: A promising concept with poor execution. If you're looking for a gripping historical thriller, this probably isn’t it.

Virginia Feito's Victorian Psycho is a daring blend of gothic horror and dark comedy, introducing readers to Winifred Notty—a governess whose unsettling charm and macabre antics make for a uniquely twisted narrative. Set against the backdrop of Ensor House, the story unfolds with a series of grotesque events that are as shocking as they are satirical.

Feito's prose is sharp and unapologetically vivid, painting scenes that are both horrifying and oddly humorous. The novel's strength lies in its ability to get away from traditional gothic tropes, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. However, the relentless barrage of grotesque imagery and the protagonist's lack of depth can make the reading experience feel overwhelming at times.

While Victorian Psycho is not for the faint-hearted, it offers a bold and unconventional take on the gothic novel. Readers seeking a darkly comedic and visceral experience may find it intriguing, though it may not resonate with those looking for nuanced character development or subtle horror.

Okay, I'll admit, I found this novel disturbingly entertaining. If you're squeamish about blood, body horror, and violence towards children and adults, this book is not for you. It's a darkly funny, gory, and disturbing read, with not a single sympathetic character in sight. Yet, I was so engrossed in the depravity of the characters, particularly our main character, Winifred Notty, that I couldn't put it down, finishing it in a single day.
Basically, poor Nanny Notty suffered a traumatic childhood, which could be seen as a contributing factor towards her psychopathy; however, I felt as though she was also a creature of nature and not purely nurture. Winifred finds work as a nanny in a wealthy household where the children are as horrendous as the children. The plot is somewhat limited, and I believe it basically exists to develop the characters in such a way that makes us, the reader, not at all sad to see them die. It is written from Winifred’s point of view, and her thoughts are amusing because she is such a wry, condescending character. Theme? Basically, it’s a story of a poor, underprivileged woman who gets a chance to exact rage and resentment against the societal group that has historically repressed and abused her, and her revenge is gloriously bloody.

Apparently this novel is being made into a movie!
Thank you to Netgalley and Liveright/Norton for the copy.

It wasn’t bad, but extremely predictable. It laid everything out in the most basic way. There was no guessing. Very odd.

An unhinged, irreverent, gothic horror, this book will be stuck in your brain for weeks after you read it (at least that was the case for me). Originally I would have given this a 3.5 but after thinking about it for a few weeks, I'm bumping it to a 5 because it keeps growing on me the more I think about it.

Winifred is the new governess for Pounds family children, but the longer she lives under this roof, the more her dark compulsions take hold. Living in the mind of Winifred is a dark place, but will definitely have you laughing while you're horrified. Nothing is off limits in this book, and everything is made light of, so definitely check trigger warnings if you're worried.

This book was bloody and fun! I thought overall it was enjoyable to read, short, and the writing is pretty good. Only downfall it was a bit repetitive.

“I fail to understand why men think violence will intimidate women.“

I expected this to be bonkers and it absolutely was. I assumed I'd get a Victorian Patrick Bateman but Winifred was more charmingly unhinged.

The gore was well done and there was lots of it. It was somehow quite lighthearted, and I enjoyed the Victorian satire and the unabashedly unhinged MC.

A short, gross, easy read.

Finally read this one, a great novel by one of the great authors, Virginia Fieto. I was a big fan of her previous novel, and I loved this gorey little masterpiece. It was a slow build-up, but the ending really packed a punch.

This book was wacky in the BEST way! I really enjoyed the wild, crazy no-holds-barred aspect of horror in this novel. There is not much like this book, and I think that can be great or it might not be for some - it could be a little polarizing. But I had a great time with this book, and I loved it.

I enjoyed the concept of this book but the plot was a bit predictable and repetitive. I found myself thinking “oh another kid she’s gonna murder”. I did enjoy the way it was written though.

I have really conflicting feelings on this book. I thought it was written well, but I felt like there were plot points that just never added up.