If We Were Villains : A Novel

On the day Oliver Marks walks free after ten years in prison, he’s met by the detective who put him there. What unfolds is a gripping confession—a tale of ambition, obsession, and betrayal set in the shadowy world of a prestigious Shakespearean conservatory. At Dellecher Classical Conservatory, Oliver and six fellow actors blur the lines between performance and reality, living out Shakespeare’s tragedies both onstage and off. But when rivalry turns deadly during their final year, the students must confront a murder that threatens to unravel their carefully crafted personas.
The novel explores the intoxicating blend of art and ego, where friendships are forged in the fire of competition and fractured by unchecked ambition. As Oliver recounts the events leading to the crime, the story weaves through themes of guilt, loyalty, and the masks people wear. M. L. Rio’s debut masterfully mirrors the structure of a Shakespearean tragedy, building tension until the final, devastating act.
Rich with literary references and psychological depth, the book has drawn comparisons to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History . Readers are immersed in a world where the line between hero and villain grows perilously thin. The characters’ vulnerabilities and flaws make their descent into chaos both haunting and relatable.
Rio’s prose captures the claustrophobic intensity of a group bound by art and rivalry. The conservatory itself becomes a character—a secluded, almost cult-like environment where sacrifices are made at the altar of creativity. Detective Colborne’s relentless pursuit of the truth adds a layer of suspense, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.
A meditation on truth, identity, and the cost of obsession, If We Were Villains lingers long after the last page. It’s a story about how far people will go for art—and how easily trust can shatter when the curtain falls.