Victorian Psycho: A Novel

Virginia Feito's Mrs. March was hailed as "a brilliant debut . . . [by] a writer who keeps pace with the grandees she invokes" (Sarah Ditum, Guardian)--from Daphne Du Maurier and Shirley Jackson to Patricia Highsmith. Now, Feito returns with her "silver-polish sentences and her eerie psychological acumen" (Constance Grady, Vox) to unleash an entirely new antihero on us all.

Grim Wolds, England: Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House prepared to play the perfect governess--she'll dutifully tutor her charges, Drusilla and Andrew, tell them bedtime stories, and only joke about eating children. But long, listless days spent within the estate's dreary confines come with an intimate knowledge of the perversions and pathetic preoccupations of the Pounds family--Mr. Pounds can't keep his eyes off Winifred's chest, and Mrs. Pounds takes a sickly pleasure in punishing Winifred for her husband's wandering gaze. Compounded with her disdain for the entitled Pounds children, Winifred finds herself struggling at every turn to stifle the violent compulsions of her past. French tutoring and needlework are one way to pass the time, as is admiring the ugly portraits in the gallery . . . and creeping across the moonlit lawns. . . .

Patience. Winifred must have patience, for Christmas is coming, and she has very special gifts planned for the dear souls of Ensor House. Brimming with sardonic wit and culminating in a shocking conclusion, Victorian Psycho plunges readers into the chilling mind of an iconic new literary psychopath.

BUY THE BOOK

Published Feb 4, 2025

208 pages

Average rating: 7.49

91 RATINGS

|

Join a book club that is reading Victorian Psycho: A Novel!

Spooky Readers Book Club

Explore the eerie and mysterious in the Spooky Readers Book Club! Share your passion for the spooky and the unknown with like-minded readers.

Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Victorian Psycho* is a dark, twisted, and fast-paced short horror novel with a uniquely unhinged narrator. Reviewers agree it blends horr...

Hartfullofbooks
Nov 13, 2025
8/10 stars
Grotesque and wild this short horror novel about a strange governess with an urge to kill was a perfect read for the spooky winter season. Set just before Christmas, Mrs. Knotty is hired to care for the children of Ensor house but keeping them safe is hard when she’s the danger. This was very graphic and very disturbing, if you can’t read about childsren dying don’t pick this one up. The protagonist is so insane but likeable and she has a penchant for disposing of her wards… I really enjoyed this short horror novel and recommend it!
Rose Molina
Oct 01, 2025
6/10 stars
Very strange novel. This makes it a good read. I'm tired of Victorian novels where the female protagonist has to prove how worthy and capable women are. Or a high brow woman falling for the help. Victorian Psycho is totally not what I expected.
Jaki444
Sep 30, 2025
8/10 stars
Hilarious! If you love funny horror with political commentary about victorian society this is a must read!!
ClinicallyBookish
Sep 15, 2025
8/10 stars
“Women! Theatrical bitches.” Wait... What?
Josie the book goblin
Aug 22, 2025
10/10 stars
Starting this book I jumped in blind as I usually do. All I knew about it is my friend talked about seeing the cover and had to buy it. I look at the cover and said yup I'm reading whatever is written in this book. As I read I found my self chuckling and saying wtf multiple times and sometimes at the same time. The main characters name is Winifred such an unhinged individual and I freaking adored her. There were a few shockers in there and a crazy ending. This is the perfect blend of gore and dark humor.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.