Full of friendship, betrayal, and passionate devotion, this is a page-turning literary thriller whose final, shocking twist you won't soon forget.' -Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and June 'A tale worthy of the Bard himself. Expertly plotted, beautifully written, If We Were Villains will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments.' -Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest 'If We Were Villains is a whip-smart, chilling tale of a group of Shakespeare students who are, as the Bard put it, 'a little more than kin, and less than kind' - especially after one of their own meets a horrific fate. Both comic and tragic, this novel asks what people are willing to sacrifice in the name of ambition. Rio's sparkling debut is a richly layered story of love, friendship, and obsession. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author of Station Eleven 'Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and can't wait to read what M. This novel about obsession at the conservatory will thoroughly obsess you.' - Kirkus, starred review 'This is a rare and extraordinary novel: a vivid rendering of the closed world of a conservatory education, a tender and harrowing exploration of friendship, and a genuinely breathtaking literary thriller. 'Bloody, melodramatic, suspenseful debut. 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.' 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. 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 this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ing nue, extras. A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition.

Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it. 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.

'Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M.

If we were villains paperback