The story follows the protagonist, Oliver Marks, who has spent ten years in prison for a crime he may or may not have committed. On the day of his release, he is met by the detective who put him in jail a decade ago. The detective’s goal is to know what actually went down in the past.

A decade ago, Oliver was one of the seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts university. They played the same roles on stage and off stage. They were the hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, and extras. But when the secondary characters usurped the stars, a power struggle began, and the plays dangerously turned into reality, and one of them was found dead. Their acting abilities were put to the test as they tried to convince the police and themselves that they were blameless.

The story is set in a university setting with dark academia themes, and the plot is gripping from the start. It’s told from Oliver’s perspective, recounting the events that led to his arrest by the detective. The book has a heavy focus on Shakespear’s plays. The story gives an insight into a group of very competitive friends. The plot twists here are well executed. It is definitely an interesting and enjoyable read for crime fiction lovers.

-Ariana