Ohhh the heated discussion we had in tonights bookclub meeting. Fervent lovers had to battle the sceptics who doubted the feasibilities of some actions. This is not a luke warm read. „If We Were Villains“ by M. L. Rio has written a stunnign book about a group of seven young Shakespearean actors at the Dellecher Classical Conservatory. The group is full of emotions, love, ambition and fierce competition. They are secluded from the real world and feel more at home in the Shakespearean world of verse, firelight, swords and leather-bound books than in a supermarket. Oliver the narrator and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: villain, hero, tyrant, tempress etc

It is tight knit group of good friends but in the final year the balance of power begins to shift. What were harmless rivalries turn into fierce and ugly ompetitions and at the opening night real tragedy and violence seeps into the theatre world. The next morning one of the students is dead and the group of friends come face to face with their most difficult action part ever: convincing themselves, each other and the police that they are innocent.

This is the perfect book for all the Thespians and Shakespeare Lovers out there who love a good mystery. This is a book best read in a few long sittings, whilst it’s raining outside with a glass of mulled wine and when you are done with it, contact the author on Twitter. She happily answers any question about the book, if they are not about the end, which is unwilling to discuss.

„If We Were Villains“ was one of my favorite novels this year and afterwards you might wanna read Donna Tartt’s „The Secret History“, another all-time favorite of mine.

The book is called „Das verborgene Spiel“ in German and was published by Penguin.