Published in 2017 by Flatiron Books, If We Were Villains is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook, as well as at your local library or through the Libby App. 

Rio took inspiration from The Secret History by Donna Tartt and from the great Bard in writing this book. Considering how often her characters quote Shakespeare, at least 30% of the book should be attributed to him. And then, since the theater students put on his plays and Rio takes great care with the details of scenes, decor, and reenactments, another 30% should also be attributed to Shakespeare. 

Seven theatrical students at the super-elite Shakespearean school feature as the main cast. These are the crème de la crème among their peers. All of them are pretentious, and since they quote Shakespeare during regular conversations, it’s hard to connect with them because we rarely glimpse anything real.

The story told by Oliver Marks, one of the seven, after he’s released from a ten-year sentence for a murder, he may or may not have committed. He recounts the events that unraveled when life imitated art, or vice versa, one of the seven ends up dead. 

The awkward attempt by Rio to introduce some LGBTQ flair would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad. She alludes, introduces tension, yet never delivers.

Shakespeare’s great language accounts for so much of the book, so it’s better off reading the original Bard, because Rio’s plot lacks mystery, the characters are insufferable, and the story drags on for no apparent reason. The book, composed of five acts, might feel less long-winded if trimmed. As it is, this book falls flat, and if not for the Bard, it would be a one-star. Thanks to Shakespeare for bumping this up to 2 stars.