Morbid Book Club: Victorian Psycho By Virginia Feito

Jun 26, 2026

Paul Tremblay, bestselling horror novelist known for A Head Full of Ghosts, joins to discuss Victorian Psycho and his upcoming Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep. They dive into the book’s razor-sharp dark humor, an unhinged narrator, gothic atmosphere, shocking reveals, and the balance of grotesque violence with laugh-out-loud lines. A lively, creepy book discussion with plenty of gasp-worthy moments.

01:25:16

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INSIGHT

Why Horror Is Having A Cultural Moment

Horror's mainstream resurgence stems from broader industry acceptance and more diverse voices entering the genre.
Paul Tremblay credits films like Get Out and growing publisher interest for pushing horror into mainstream reviews and acquisitions.

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ANECDOTE

How Paul Fell Into Horror

Paul Tremblay discovered modern horror after college when Joyce Carol Oates' story and Stephen King ignited his interest.
He read The Stand and Stephen King's Dance Macabre, then taught himself by consuming Straub, Barker, and Shirley Jackson.

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ADVICE

Give Yourself Permission To Be Passionate

Do allow yourself to passionately like things without shame; that enthusiasm often leads to creative attempts.
Paul tells younger writers it's okay to be all-in and let passion be your first step toward creating.

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Why Paul Writes Horror and His Background

03:10 • 2min

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Horror's Cultural Renaissance

05:31 • 5min

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Discovering Horror as a Reader and Writer

10:05 • 2min

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Advice on Creativity and Passion

12:23 • 53sec

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Concerns About AI and Authorship

13:16 • 2min

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Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep — Premise

15:44 • 3min

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Themes of Consciousness and Control

18:43 • 3min

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Fears He Avoids and Dream Inspiration

21:42 • 4min

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Strange Sources of Inspiration

25:14 • 2min

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Drafting and Endings: How Paul Plans

26:51 • 2min

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What Paul Hopes Readers Take Away

Book Club: Introducing Victorian Psycho

32:16 • 54sec

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First Impressions and Winifred's Voice

33:09 • 2min

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Balancing Horror and Comedy

35:10 • 3min

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Ambiguity and Unreliable Narration

38:18 • 2min

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Cringe Moments and Shock Scenes

40:15 • 4min

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Winifred: Villain, Psychopath, or Truth-Teller

43:47 • 5min

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Drusilla's Role and Ambiguous Ending

49:00 • 3min

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Victorian Society as a Character

52:20 • 4min

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Shocking Reveals and Mr. Pounds

56:22 • 3min

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Horrific Imagery and Research Details

59:04 • 2min

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Rapid-Fire Slasher 'Would You Rather' Segment

01:00:47 • 21min

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Final Thoughts and Book Recommendations

Paul Tremblay's The Pallbearers Club centers on men whose lives revolve around a community for dying people, blending dark humor, grief, and creeping dread. The story examines masculinity, mortality, and the lengths people go to find meaning and companionship in the face of death. Tremblay deploys psychological tension and ambiguous supernatural elements to probe how characters grieve and deceive themselves. The book balances intimacy with unsettling incidents, showcasing his signature blend of emotional realism and eerie atmosphere. It demonstrates Tremblay's range in exploring both interpersonal dynamics and uncanny occurrences.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Dreaming of Electric Sheep

Paul Tremblay

Paul Tremblay's anticipated release promises the author's trademark ability to unsettle readers through ambiguous events and unreliable perceptions. The narrative likely examines how ordinary lives are disrupted by inexplicable occurrences, with focus on character psychology and mounting dread. Expect intricate plotting, morally gray characters, and an ending that invites interpretation. The work will appeal to fans of contemporary literary horror that privileges atmosphere and suspense over gore. Early interest stems from Tremblay's respected track record in the genre.

Victorian Psycho

Virginia Fado

Virginia Fado's 'Victorian Psycho' is a compact horror novel that channels gothic atmosphere and psychological unease, set against Victorian-era sensibilities. The book follows unsettling characters and events that explore madness, obsession, and the darker sides of Victorian society. Fado's prose leans into mood and dread, using period detail to heighten the sense of claustrophobia and moral ambiguity. The novel has attracted attention in contemporary horror circles for its deft combination of historical setting and modern horror tropes. Because of its relatively short length, it is often recommended for book clubs and readers looking for a quick but potent horror read.

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The cabin at the end of the world

Paul Tremblay

The Cabin at the End of the World follows Eric, Andrew, and their adopted daughter Wen as they face a terrifying home invasion by strangers who claim they must make a horrific choice to prevent an apocalypse. The novel explores themes of paranoia, sacrifice, and survival in a tense, claustrophobic setting. It won the Bram Stoker Award for Novel in 2019 and was adapted into the film 'Knock at the Cabin' in 2023.

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A head full of ghosts

Paul Tremblay

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay tells the story of the Barrett family, whose lives are disrupted when 14-year-old Marjorie begins displaying signs of acute schizophrenia. Desperate for help, her family turns to an exorcism, which becomes a reality TV show. The novel explores themes of perception, reality, and the blurred lines between psychological trauma and supernatural events. It is told through the recollections of Marjorie's younger sister, Merry, now an adult, as she reflects on the events that destroyed her family.

Spoilers Ahead!!!For this month's BONUS EPISODE it's Book Club time, weirdos! This time we're joined by bestselling horror author Paul Tremblay for a conversation about one of our favorite recent reads: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito! We dive into everything that makes this deliciously deranged novel so unforgettable, from its razor-sharp dark humor and gloriously unhinged protagonist to the gothic atmosphere and jaw-dropping moments that had us audibly gasping. So grab your beverage of choice, settle in, and join us for a delightfully creepy conversation with one of horror's finest. And if you haven't read Victorian Psycho yet... consider this your sign, and join the bookclub discussion once you've devoured it!

Check out Paul Tremblay's newest book Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by preordering now, or grabbing it at your local bookstore next Tuesday June 30th! And DEFINITELY check out his other incredible books that are available wherever books are sold!

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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