If We Were Villains

In M. L. Rio’s debut novel, If We Were Villains, Oliver Marks emerges from ten years in prison for a murder that haunts his past. On his release, he encounters Detective Colborne, who seeks the truth behind the events that led to Oliver's incarceration. Set against the backdrop of an elite arts college, the story intertwines the lives of seven young actors immersed in Shakespeare, where their roles blur dangerously with reality, culminating in a tragic death that forces them to confront both their guilt and loyalty. This intelligent and thrilling narrative explores the powerful impact of words and the complexities of friendship and obsession.