

My Victorian Nightmare
Genevieve Manion
Here you’ll find mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, disturbing stories, and otherwise spooky events from the Victorian Era. To subscribe, join The Fan Coven!
If you consider yourself an enthusiast of creepy Victorian history, you probably already know about the age of spiritualism, the grisly murders, the grave robbers, twisted pseudo psychotherapy, and memento mori – But I try to dig a little deeper. This was a time full of lace corsetry, romantic poetry, and a deep reverence and affection for the dead. It was a culture of shared sorrow, ornament and elegance, prudishness and scandal, bone chilling children’s stories, and for whatever reason, I just feel at home there. There’s something strangely comforting about the heebie jeebies this era gives me. If you find yourself equally enchanted by things that most people would find horrifying, this podcast is probably for you. To listen ad-free, visit myvictoriannightmare.com and join my Patreon.
If you consider yourself an enthusiast of creepy Victorian history, you probably already know about the age of spiritualism, the grisly murders, the grave robbers, twisted pseudo psychotherapy, and memento mori – But I try to dig a little deeper. This was a time full of lace corsetry, romantic poetry, and a deep reverence and affection for the dead. It was a culture of shared sorrow, ornament and elegance, prudishness and scandal, bone chilling children’s stories, and for whatever reason, I just feel at home there. There’s something strangely comforting about the heebie jeebies this era gives me. If you find yourself equally enchanted by things that most people would find horrifying, this podcast is probably for you. To listen ad-free, visit myvictoriannightmare.com and join my Patreon.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 24, 2025 • 44min
Ep. 70 - Blood On The Railroad Tracks
On today’s episode, Genevieve will be taking you back to the blood-smeared Victorian railways. She will be discussing the murders of Sarah Hart and Thomas Briggs, as well as the “Philip Experiment” where scientists believed they conjured a ghost out of thin air.
Thank you to today's sponsor, Honeylove!
Save 20% off Honeylove by going to https://www.honeylove.com/VICTORIAN!
Today’s Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRU5rfVDsNb/?igsh=Zjc1bmFzejljbTFq
References For Today’s Episode:
“A Budget of Ghost Stories” - Cheshire Observer, Mar. 6th, 1869.
“Mr. Morse” - The Spiritualist, Dec. 1869.
“The Murder at Salthill” - The Bath Chronicle and Herald, Mar. 20th, 1845.
“Funeral of Sarah Hart” - Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic, Jan. 16th 1845.
https://moonmausoleum.com/the-philip-experiment-the-spirit-created-by-scientists/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_experiment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_M%C3%BCller
https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/about-us/about-us/our-history/crime-history/first-railway-murder/
https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/about-us/about-us/our-history/crime-history/murder-of-sarah-hart/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tawell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 69 - The Woman Was Unknown
On today's episode, Genevieve will have unpleasant stabbings, poison mania, an accident that will ruin your week, women mysteriously delivered in coffins, men swallowing wedding rings, opium eaters, charred, lifeless remains and much, much more.
Thank you to today's sponsor, Hello Fresh!
Go to HelloFresh.com/VICTORIAN10FM now to get 10 free meals + a free breakfast for life!
Today's Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRCnucLDsxi/?igsh=bGpyNnFucTdicnRj
References:
“Christmas Ghosts and Scientific Ghosts” - The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Weekly Messenger, County Journal and General Advertiser, Dec. 26th, 1863.
"Mr. Woolnough" - The Spiritualist, Dec. 17th, 1869.
“Unpleasant Stabbing Affray Between Italians in New York”- The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
“The Mulberry Street Butchery” - New York Daily Herald, Mar. 2nd, 1872.
"The Poisoning Mania"- The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
"Horrible Accident to a Woman in Canal Street, N.Y." - The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
“More New York Justice” - The St. Louis Republic, Nov. 20th 1872.
"Another Mystery" - The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
"A Bridegroom in Cleveland Swallows his Wedding Ring" - The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
“Mr. Pepper’s Last Ghost” - The Spiritualist, Dec. 1869.
"One More Indiana Horror" - The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
"A New Social Evil — The Male and Female “Opium Eaters” of New York" - The Illustrated Police News, Mar. 7th, 1872.
“Young Gentlemen of Boston Submitting Their Arms to a Charming Female Vaccinator” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“Ladies in the Medical Profession” - The Spiritualist, Dec. 17th, 1869.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiana_Edmunds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 10, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 68 - The Moberly-Jourdain Incident, Grave Symbols & Ghost Clubs
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss Victorian grave stone symbolism, The Moberly-Jourdain Incident, a tale of time-slipping, potentially residually haunted, deeply respected academics in 1901, and Ghost clubs of the 19th century.
Today’s Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQxVI0fjqCV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
References:
https://www.undercliffecemetery.co.uk/gallery/funerary-art/
https://www.vintageviews.org/vv-tl/pages/Cem_Symbolism.htm
https://arnosvale.org.uk/secrets-and-symbols-the-grave-language-of-the-victorian-cemetery/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moberly%E2%80%93Jourdain_incident
https://www.ranker.com/list/moberly-jourdain-incident-and-time-travel/genevieve-carlton
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/10/31/ghost-club-yeats-dickens-secret-society-spirits/
https://www.openculture.com/2017/05/the-ghost-club.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ghost_Club
https://dickenssociety.org/archives/4679 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 3, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 67 - Haunted by Gloomy & Terrible Thoughts
On today’s episode, Genevieve will have ghosts throwing potato chips, female poison serial killers, the body of a murderer on display for the general public, a horrible uxoricide, a naked women in prison attempting to "dash her brains out," a life of romance and suffering and fancy, lady's-only gambling parlors. No boys allowed!
Thank you to today’s sponsor, Rula.com!
Go to Rula.com/victorian to get started today. You deserve mental healthcare that works with you, not against your budget.
Today’s Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQfFlTjkXnF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
References:
“Virginian Ghosts” - The Times-Picayune, Nov. 23, 1874.
“Mr. J. Davis” - The Spiritualist, - The Spiritualist, Dec. 17th, 1869.
“A Woman Poisons Her Husband’s Food in Stark County, Indiana” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“A Murderer’s Body on Exhibition” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“A Prisoner Leaps from a Court Room Window in Kansas City, Mo., and Escapes” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 8th, 1872.
“Horrible Uxoricide” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“An Inconsiderate Parent” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“A Wrangle Over the Remains of Botts the Murderer” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 8th, 1872.
“Miss Eva G. Vallee, the Pretty Female Prisoner, Simulates a Fit and Attempts Suicide in the Central Police Station, New York City” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“A Sad Story” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
“The She-Gamblers of San Francisco” - The Illustrated Police News, Feb. 15th, 1872.
"Police Report" - The Leavenworth Times, Jul. 30th, 1872.
"Forestalling the Gallows" - The Courier-Journal, Mar. 27th, 1872
"Confidence Woman Convicted" - The Daily Evening Herald, Apr. 13th, 1872
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_chips
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon%27s_Lake_House
https://deathpenaltyusa.org/usa1/date/1872.htm
https://publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Blume-final.pdf
https://mrsdaffodildigresses.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/women-gamblers-of-new-york-1884/
https://www.victorianweb.org/history/leisure/gambling1.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 31, 2025 • 11min
Bonus Episode - The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
I decided to re-record my favorite gothic poem of all time, Edgar Allan Poe's, The Raven, for Halloween this year. I hope you enjoy this spooky bonus episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 27, 2025 • 16min
Extra Sneak Peak!
This sneak peak is one of the EXTRAS that you receive every week when you join The Fan Coven at myvictoriannightmare.com!
In this episode, Burned in a Furnace, we will have a tale of cold blooded murder, ashes, bones, bombshell accusations in the courtroom, and not one but two foiled prison escape attempts. This is the murder of William Bachman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 27, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 66 - The Haunted History of The Stanley Hotel
On today’s episode, Genevieve will conclude haunted Halloween hotel month with the dark, haunted history of the infamous Stanley Hotel that inspired Steven King’s, The Shining. She will be sharing the true and untrue tragedies that folks claim to be the origins of the spectral guests that inhabit the hotel to this day.
Thank you to today’s sponsor, Lumi Gummies!
Lumi Gummies are available nationwide! Go to LumiGummies.com/VICTORIAN to get 30% off your order!
My Halloween Party Playlist:
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6kOUlSZbILIuVsM3vJnoPR?si=ZUcPCjmySaaPTG4Jh_do8g
Today’s Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQNNNMnkZQW/?igsh=MXdzcW13Z3lnYWwzYw==
References:
“Ghosts Ghosts!” - Richmond Independent Telegram, Sept. 1st, 1871.
"Mr. Avery" - The Spiritualist, Dec. 17th, 1869.
https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-hotels-and-inns/hauntings-of-the-stanley-hotel/
https://www.uncovercolorado.com/stanley-hotel-haunted-history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stanley_Hotel
https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/carrie-welton
https://www.lakecountypubliclibrary.org/lake-county-cemetery-records Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 20, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 65 - Fresh From the Silent Tomb
On today’s episode, Genevieve will have ghosts, ghosts and more spooky ghosts, including ghost trains! As well as the capture of 2 midnight grave robbers, Mary Todd Lincoln incognito at a seance, and Scottish Halloween traditions from 1876.
Thank you to today’s sponsors, Pride and Prejudice and Hello Fresh!
Listen to the new Pride and Prejudice at http://audible.com/janeausten
Go to http://hellofresh.com/victorian10fm for 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life!
Today’s Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DP6csKxDqkW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
References:
“A Haunted House in Brooklyn” - The Times-Picayune, Nov. 23rd, 1874.
"Mr. J.S. Steele" - The Spiritualist, Dec. 1869.
"Chicago Hyenas" - Chicago Tribune, Mar. 4th, 1872.
"Mrs. Lincoln Seeking the Spirit of Her Husband in Boston" - Illustrated Police News, Feb. 29th, 1872.
"The Late Railroad Accident" - The Daily Journal, Jan. 11th, 1856.
"Halloween" - Anaheim Gazette, Nov. 4th, 1876.
https://www.thoughtco.com/supernatural-and-spooky-events-1773802#:~:text=The%20Bell%20Witch%20Terrorized%20a,The%20animal%20ran%20off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maco_light
https://www.ourstate.com/maco-light/
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/seances-in-the-red-room
https://web.archive.org/web/20111228012923/http://www.wilmingtonrailroadmuseum.org/content/joebaldwin.php
https://www.historicrailpark.com/otr-blog/the-haunting-of-the-ln-line-the-legend-of-the-ghost-train/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 13, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 64 - America’s Most Haunted Hotel
On today’s episode, Genevieve will be talking about the disturbing history and hauntings of the Crescent Hotel, built in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1886. She will also receive a reading from Medium, Jennifer Page, from the I Talk to Ghosts Podcast, and she will also discuss the horrifying haunted history of Leap Castle in Ireland.
Today’s Instagram post:
References:
https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/leap-castle/
https://crescent-hotel.com/about/history/
https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/the-crescent-hotel-americas-most-haunted-hotel/
https://steemit.com/history/@winstonwolfe/the-macabre-history-of-the-crescent-hotel-in-eureka-springs-arkansas
https://www.ozarksalive.com/stories/crescenthoteleurekasprings
https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/it-came-from-the-vault-ghost-hunting-with-rhonda-carpenter-the-crescent-hotel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 6, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 63 - Vampires Need Vacations Too
On today’s episode, Genevieve will be taking you back to some of our favorite cemeteries, public hangings, creepy seances and ax murders that we’ve enjoyed together in episodes of yore!
Thank you to today’s sponsor, Rula.com
Go to Rula.com/victorian to get started today with convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


