If We Were Villains

by M.L. Rio

Book Overview

"Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M. L. Rio's sparkling debut is a richly layered story of love, friendship, and obsession...will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments."
--Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest
Nerdily (and winningly) in love with Shakespeare...Readable, smart."
--New York Times Book Review

On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it.

A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ing nue, extras.

But in their fourth and final year, good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and on opening night real violence invades the students' world of make-believe. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent.

If We Were Villains was named one of Bustle's Best Thriller Novels of the Year, and Mystery Scene says, A well-written and gripping ode to the stage...A fascinating, unorthodox take on rivalry, friendship, and truth.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250095298
• ISBN13: 9781250095299
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: Flatiron Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A great thriller!

The story is well written by M.L. Rio, the characters are not as amoral as in The Secret History by Donna Tartt, but they are theater students and do live in their own world. I love the Shakespeare quotes. The mystery is surprisingly good. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Oooh I love it!

This was accidentally spoiled for me, but still reading it and seeing it all unfold was *muh* chef's kiss! I know people keep rating it low for the Shakespeare quotes, but just skim those if you don't wanna read it; they're all informative tho.