What readers think of If We Were Villains, plus links to write your own review.

This novel is clever in the way that Donna Tartt's The Secret History is clever -- expertly layered, gradually revealing its secrets. Take that book, merge it with the Bard, and you have a thriller that takes "literary" to a new level.

When a group of budding Shakespeare actors are cast against type in a Halloween production of Macbeth, death is the result. But the whodunit is cast in secondary position to the larger story: the transformation and renewal of the friendship of the survivors and how their feelings of guilt are played out on stage and in their hearts.

The book will not be for everyone. It requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of Shakespeare (there's a reference to Shakespeare on nearly every page) and in the beginning, requires close attention to keep track of the players. It's also innovative and well-written and increasingly involving. For the right reader, it's a home run.

A third of the way into this book I was still struggling and sure I was never going to finish it and really hate it; but all of a sudden, I was captured.
The story of a group of fourth year Shakespearean actor-in-training students, wearing their art, love, sex, drama, hate and egos on their chests and even talking to each other in dialogue was almost too much. And then I cared about them and why everything happened.
I am sure this will be compared to Donna Tartt's The Secret History but it also bears a stylist resemblance to Liane Moriarty's books, where we are in the present but looking back at what did or did not happen that fateful time.

The plot of the book was dragged down for me with my lack of interest in Shakespeare. The character development and pace were slow and lacking. I believe thespians and Shakespeare buffs would truly enjoy.

As the novel opens, the reader is introduced to Oliver who has served time in prison. The police officer who has put him there wants the true story of what transpired. Hence, the rest of the novel. The novel is narrated by Oliver and revolves around seven students who attend Dellecher conservatory where they study Shakespearian theater and acting. There are a lot of allusions to Shakespeare along with quotations from his work. I found the novel plodding and difficult to connect with.

This book is a literary suspense thriller with numerous Shakespearean lines, roles and characters underscoring the story. The main characters are well-developed and the book starts off well but gets muddled in the middle.