If We Were Villains A Novel

“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 walks out of prison, the detective who put him there is waiting with one question: What really happened that night? After ten years of silence, Oliver is finally ready to tell the truth.

Step into the cloistered world of Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where seven young actors live and breathe Shakespeare. In this atmospheric thriller, the line between performance and reality blurs dangerously. Oliver and his friends inhabit their roles so completely—hero, villain, temptress, ingénue—that the stage becomes indistinguishable from life itself.

But in their final year, artistic rivalry turns deadly. When real violence shatters their make-believe world on opening night, these talented performers face their most challenging role yet: convincing everyone, including themselves, that they’re innocent.

M. L. Rio crafts a mesmerizing tale that will captivate fans of dark academia and literary suspense. Named one of Bustle’s Best Thriller Novels of the Year, this novel weaves Shakespeare’s language into a modern mystery that explores the dangerous depths of ambition and loyalty. Mystery Scene calls it “A well-written and gripping ode to the stage…A fascinating, unorthodox take on rivalry, friendship, and truth.”

Perfect for readers who love atmospheric settings, complex characters, and stories where nothing is quite as it seems.

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