If We Were Villains

If We Were Villains is a thriller and mystery novel by M. L. Rio, first published in 2017 by Titan Books. The story centers on Oliver Marks, a former actor at the fictional Dellecher Shakespeare conservatory who has just served ten years in prison for the murder of one of his closest friends—a murder he may or may not have committed. Upon his release, he is confronted by the detective who put him behind bars, who is retiring but wants to uncover what truly happened a decade earlier. The narrative unfolds during Oliver’s final year at the conservatory, where he and six classmates, all talented Shakespearean actors, navigate intense rivalries and dangerous tensions that blur the lines between their onstage roles—villain, hero, tyrant, temptress—and their real lives. The novel explores themes of friendship, art, jealousy, and tragedy as the characters face their greatest challenge: convincing both the police and themselves of their innocence. The book has been compared to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History and appeals to fans of dark academia. A series adaptation is currently in development.