If We Were Villians

Book Details:

• Author: M. L. Rio

• Publisher: Bloomsbury

• Language: English

• Edition: 2017

• ISBN: 9781785656477

• Pages: 400

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches

About the Book:

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio is a dark and gripping novel that immerses readers in a world of obsession, friendship, and betrayal. Oliver Marks has just completed ten years in prison for the murder of one of his closest friends—a crime he may or may not have committed. On the day of his release, Detective Colborne, the man who put him behind bars, approaches Oliver. About to retire, the detective is determined to uncover the truth of what really happened a decade ago.

The story takes us back to Oliver’s time at an elite arts conservatory, where he and his talented classmates were consumed by their roles in Shakespearean plays. These roles mirrored their lives, as each person embodied the archetypes of villain, hero, tyrant, and temptress. However, when a change in casting stirs up a competitive rivalry, the line between performance and reality blurs. Tragedy strikes when one of the seven friends is found dead, and the remaining six must face their greatest performance yet: convincing the police—and themselves—that they are innocent.

With its exploration of dark academia, moral ambiguity, and the intoxicating power of Shakespeare’s works, If We Were Villains is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers like The Secret History by Donna Tartt. This immersive novel delves deep into the consequences of obsession and the boundaries between fiction and reality.