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4.0 

If We Were Villains

By M. L. Rio
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

“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, ingénue, 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."

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2816 Reviews

4.0
Thinking Face“I picked up this book hoping for something similar to The Secret History and I think that might’ve been a mistake. The book is good but the heavy Shakespearean tone made me fall out of interest at times. The plot felt juvenile at times, but dark and twisted at other moments. Ultimately, I felt the storyline trailed off after murder and became focused on some insignificant details.”
Reviewed in:Late to the Party
Beautifully writtenSuspensefulDark settingImmersive settingDark
Anxious Face with sweat“I felt intellectually inferior for like 50% of the book but GOD DAMN 10/10 from Pericles to Lear. I hate when the ending is up for interpretation but I wouldn't ask for a different one. Oliver and James will stay with me for a long time. 🥺💘”
Diverse charactersBeautifully writtenAddictiveTwistyBeautiful settingDarkThought-provokingViolence
Loudly Crying Face“I’m glad I was never a theatre kid in high school.”
Multi-layered charactersEasy to readSuspensefulDark settingDarkHeartbreaking
Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes“Hands down, one of my favorite books. I read through this so quickly, this book actually even aroused my interest in Shakespeare. I sobbed at the end of this work. Firstly because I really didn’t want to finish the book and wanted it to continue, secondly because of all the twists happening at the end. Everything was so well described and the author’s play with words was such a great pleasure to my brain. I plan to read this book again.”
Characters change and growBeautifully writtenOriginal writingTwistyUnpredictableDark settingRealistic settingDarkHeartbreakingThought-provoking
Expressionless Face“I DNF’d this one. I didn’t like the style of writing. The initial chapter got me interested but then the style of writing felt like it changed and became unengaging.”
Unengaging charactersUnsatisfying plot

About M. L. Rio

M. L. Rio has worked in bookstores and theatres for years, and holds a master's in Shakespeare studies from King’s College London. If We Were Villains is her debut novel.

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