If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017): A Review

Title: If We Were Villains

Author: M. L. Rio

Publication Year: 2017

Pages: 354

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Dark Academia, Campus Novel, Queer, Theater-Fiction

Source: eBook @storytel.tr

Opening Sentence: I sit with my wrists cuffed to the table and I think, “But that I am forbid / To tell the secrets of my prison-house, / I could a tale unfold whose lightest word / Would harrow up thy soul.”

If you're here to read a mystery thriller, you're actually in for more than just one book—you're getting multiple stories. The author, M.L. Rio, is a graduate in Shakespeare Studies and an English literature student, which means you're in for a captivating tale that intertwines a crime mystery with quotes and themes from Shakespeare. It feels as if Rio once asked herself what to do with her MA, and the answer was clear: write a novel using all things Shakespearean. This isn't a criticism; I genuinely appreciate what she accomplished here. The characters, all drama and acting students with a singular focus on Shakespeare, make the sections and chapters read more like a play than a traditional novel.

When I first started reading, I had no idea what the book was about! However, upon seeing the table of contents, my excitement soared. There’s a dramatic flair to the narrative. The first sentence of the epilogue—yes, there’s both an epilogue and a prologue, along with acts and scenes—features the main character, Oliver, quoting Shakespeare. I found myself reaching for my Complete Works of Shakespeare to look up references while reading. However, I soon became so engrossed in the story that I stopped checking them, as the plot became too thrilling to pause for any reason.

The story follows Oliver, who has been in prison for ten years for a murder we know little about. The detective believes there’s more to the story than what was revealed during the investigation and trial, so Oliver agrees to recount what really happened. The narrative is layered, with epilogues directed at the detective and scenes that address the reader. The twist is that while we expect Oliver to reveal the entire story, he doesn’t actually possess all the details! I won't spoil anything further.

On a personal note, I finished the second half of the book during a four-hour flight, and as an emotional reader, I ended up crying! My husband always has tissues ready when we watch sad movies or when he knows I’m reading something heartbreaking, but he wasn't there, and I was unprepared for my tears during this novel. The last thirty minutes of the flight were filled with me reading and crying—imagine the woman sitting next to me wondering what was happening!

As for my five-star rating, I admit I'm biased for several reasons: (1) the book's structure is akin to a play, (2) it follows the plotline of Shakespearean tragedies, (3) it contains numerous allusions and characters inspired by Shakespearean figures, (4) it serves as a treasure map back to Shakespeare, and (5) the ending is simply fantastic. However, I was less fond of the excessive violence among the drama students, which felt unnecessary. I understand they are portrayed as Shakespearean villains, but I wished they weren't quite so villainous.

If you enjoy mysteries, definitely read it. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, don’t hesitate. If you relish literary treasure hunts, this book is for you. And even if none of those apply, I still encourage you to give it a try! Just kidding! I don’t want to pressure anyone into reading a book I like—it’s a matter of personal taste, and everyone has different preferences. But seriously, you should read it!