If We Were Villains, M.L. Rio

This comes under the heading of 'how the hell did I miss this?'

M.L. Rio's debut novel (published in April) landed in my lap last week.

I loved the almost claustrophobic feel of the conservatory, the small group of fourth year students almost felt a little Hogwarts-y to me and the careful unfolding of the story kept me riveted.

Here's the review

Theater, in the right hands can be magical, casting a spell on the audience, the actors performing a personal alchemy to become any character you can imagine. Ten years ago Oliver Marks (our narrator), a student, in his final year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory where the not so simple act of completing four years of Shakespearean training guarantees their graduates a place in any of the best acting companies in the world. The pressure is ramping up on everyone closeted in the 'the tower'. Apart from Oliver, the others are James, Meredith, Richard, Alexander, Fillipa and Wren. The seven speak a kind of pigeon Shakespeare and live and breath the bard. On the opening night of 'Julius Caesar' the wrap party becomes a tragedy all its own and formerly good-natured rivalries spill over into violence.