‘It is early fall, the cold is beginning to descend, and in three months everyone in this house will be dead.‘

There are rare moments when I think a book was written specifically for me. That the author sat down and thought, ‘Yes, it’s time to write something for Ariell today.’

I felt this completely from the beginning of Virginia Feito‘s second novel Victorian Psycho (more novella at a chirpy but humorously gruesome 200 pages).

I’m sure others are tying themselves into knots trying not to reveal too much about the plot because, alas, discussing it too in-depth will give away spoilers and delicious plot points. But I shall endeavour…

When a young governess takes up a post in the Pounds’ family home (Poundses), it becomes quickly obvious that she is not suited to be a governess but is in fact in their home for ulterior, dangerous reasons.

I really can’t tell you more than that! The main character, Winnifred Notty, does have a curious narrative voice in that she does give spoilers of the eventual final scenes – almost as if she’s a ghostly narrator from Christmas Future letting you peek into her fate, or perhaps, to keep the reader on their toes. (Wait? What did that mean?)

Although, psychopathy, murder, death, and all manner of terrors are strewn throughout, the novel is incredibly funny. The prose is cracking and goes by at racehorse speed (much to the delight of my currently burnt out brain).

The book is also concerned with satirising and illuminating the horribleness of Victorians: their tendencies; their philosophies; their biases.

When Winifred is instructed on how she is meant to teach her charges, the boy is required to have a well-rounded and extensive education. The girl, not so much:

‘Druisilla’s education shall be less rigorous, of course,’ says Mr Pounds. ‘She is now of an age when she risks her fertility from the ravages of overeducation. Says so in the Times.’

I could pick a handful of these kind of quotes from the book; Winifred’s lashings that can also make one cringe thinking that people thought this way (and maybe still do).

She is a devilish dastard and I’m sure other readers might cringe at her wickedness but I wouldn’t dismiss her murderous and vengeful deeds as too hyperbolic. Perhaps, the lower classes – those that toiled during the day or who were treated poorly by the elites of the time – did imagine a day when they could dispatch those who were far too cruel. This idea of the buttoned up Victorian who never thought of worse things and who was content with their place in life is not one I believe.

If one is sipping on grave water like Winifred claimed to the Pounds, one should not be surprised that their governess might be a little mad.

Recommendation: Read!
Comps: For fans of Lady Macbeth (film) meets Boy Parts
Format: Digital
Publication Year: 2025

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