When the curtain falls
Author : M.L.Rio
Title : If We Were Villains
Published : 13/06/2017
Pages : 400
Genre : Mystery Thriller
Publisher : Titan Books Ltd
Oliver Marks has just served ten years for the murder of one of his closest friends - a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the detective who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened ten years ago.
Throughout the course of the book, we visit with Oliver at different points in his life. But we start on the day he walks free from prison. The Oliver of the present is a person who has to fight to keep hold of the person he was before walking through those gates so many years ago. In then walks Detective Colborne, a man trying to understand the events of the past before the slip away for good. I liked their interactions as they in some strange way felt like on friend meeting after a long absence and trying to catch up. But as much as I liked these moments this is not what the book is about. This is about a group of friends at drama school and a death that changed everything. For me becoming acquainted with these people was like seeing people from my past. While I gave up being on the stage before even my teen years had really started. the friends I made were a lot like this lot.
And while I appreciate that in this work of fiction that play stand-in for the characters they play on stage believe me when I say they really do exist and some do take themselves this seriously. So with that said you can see why I would say for me they came off the page and not only felt like real people but inhabited a world I was familiar with.
This is a book that will draw you in with its cast and once there you will be hooked. The trials and tribulation make for some interesting and captivating chapters, for me alone, I think I could have enjoyed this book for that. When adding on top of this the murder I can see know why so many people are enjoying this book. In a testament to her writing ability at one point or another, she managed to trick me into believing each of her cast was capable of having committed the dastardly deed. And in so doing keeps you hunger for more information from Oliver. I think anyone who spends time on these pages will come to have a favorite character or relationship I know I have mine.
In part this is down to the setting of the novel, there are few places in our world I think that bring together people from not only different socio-economic groups but also sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds. with so much happening it is still an easy book to get on with, the witters style feels light to the touch and I found myself speeding through the chapters. The quotes from Shakespeare that are spread through the text feel like a natural inclusion, in part this is down to our cast performing the plays they are from, but also help to mirror the actions that take place. And to honest it also kind of feels like your getting a two for one.
I think I was surprised by how much I came to enjoy this book. From the way, it's written to the people I met I could find little to complain about. And while it may be a murder mystery this also the story of a group of friends whose lives fell apart never to be put back together. It is a witty and intelligent novel, It will also lead you on an emotional journey and when its done will break your heart but also make you grateful for having taken the time to get to know it.
I would normally wire here about why I chose to read this book, However, this time around I was given a copy to read as they thought I would really enjoy it. So with no prior knowledge, I jumped in feet first hoping to land in something I would enjoy.
Throughout the course of the book, we visit with Oliver at different points in his life. But we start on the day he walks free from prison. The Oliver of the present is a person who has to fight to keep hold of the person he was before walking through those gates so many years ago. In then walks Detective Colborne, a man trying to understand the events of the past before the slip away for good. I liked their interactions as they in some strange way felt like on friend meeting after a long absence and trying to catch up. But as much as I liked these moments this is not what the book is about. This is about a group of friends at drama school and a death that changed everything. For me becoming acquainted with these people was like seeing people from my past. While I gave up being on the stage before even my teen years had really started. the friends I made were a lot like this lot.
And while I appreciate that in this work of fiction that play stand-in for the characters they play on stage believe me when I say they really do exist and some do take themselves this seriously. So with that said you can see why I would say for me they came off the page and not only felt like real people but inhabited a world I was familiar with.
This is a book that will draw you in with its cast and once there you will be hooked. The trials and tribulation make for some interesting and captivating chapters, for me alone, I think I could have enjoyed this book for that. When adding on top of this the murder I can see know why so many people are enjoying this book. In a testament to her writing ability at one point or another, she managed to trick me into believing each of her cast was capable of having committed the dastardly deed. And in so doing keeps you hunger for more information from Oliver. I think anyone who spends time on these pages will come to have a favorite character or relationship I know I have mine.
In part this is down to the setting of the novel, there are few places in our world I think that bring together people from not only different socio-economic groups but also sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds. with so much happening it is still an easy book to get on with, the witters style feels light to the touch and I found myself speeding through the chapters. The quotes from Shakespeare that are spread through the text feel like a natural inclusion, in part this is down to our cast performing the plays they are from, but also help to mirror the actions that take place. And to honest it also kind of feels like your getting a two for one.
I think I was surprised by how much I came to enjoy this book. From the way, it's written to the people I met I could find little to complain about. And while it may be a murder mystery this also the story of a group of friends whose lives fell apart never to be put back together. It is a witty and intelligent novel, It will also lead you on an emotional journey and when its done will break your heart but also make you grateful for having taken the time to get to know it.
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