M.L. Rio

M.L. Rio. Mackenzie Lee Rio is an American novelist and academic, best known for her acclaimed debut novel If We Were Villains. A scholar of Shakespeare and Renaissance drama, her work is distinguished by its literary depth and exploration of performance, obsession, and dark academia. Her writing has earned comparisons to the works of Donna Tartt and Tana French.

Biography

Mackenzie Lee Rio was born in 1990 and grew up in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. She developed an early passion for literature and theater, which later crystallized into an academic focus. Rio pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, an institution with a strong literary tradition, where she deepened her engagement with dramatic texts. She subsequently earned a master's degree in English literature from Boston University, specializing in the works of William Shakespeare and Early Modern English literature.

Career

Before publishing her first novel, Rio worked extensively within academic and literary circles, contributing to scholarly discourse on Early Modern theatre. Her professional background in literary analysis profoundly informs her narrative style and thematic concerns. Her debut, If We Were Villains, was published in 2017 by Flatiron Books, a prominent imprint of Macmillan Publishers. The novel's success established her as a significant voice in contemporary fiction, particularly within the dark academia subgenre. She has since participated in numerous literary festivals and panels, including events at the National Book Festival, and her work is frequently taught in modern literature courses.

Works

Rio's primary published work is her novel If We Were Villains (2017). The plot follows a group of Shakespearean actors at a elite conservatory called Dellecher Classical Conservatory, whose intense rivalries and performative lives culminate in a tragedy that echoes the Bard's own plays. The narrative is structured in five acts, mirroring a Shakespearean tragedy, and is densely interwoven with quotations and themes from plays such as Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and King Lear. The novel has been published in multiple languages and formats, including a special edition from the Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions series. As of 2024, she is reportedly working on her second novel.

Reception

If We Were Villains was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Reviewers from The New York Times and The Washington Post praised its intelligent plotting, atmospheric setting, and sophisticated use of Shakespearean allusion. It was selected as a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut Goodreads Author and Best Mystery & Thriller in 2017. The book has developed a substantial cult following, especially among readers of dark academia and literary fiction, and is often cited alongside modern classics like The Secret History. Its academic rigor and compelling thriller elements have made it a frequent subject of analysis in discussions about modern Gothic fiction and campus novels.

Personal life

Rio maintains a relatively private personal life. She is known to be an avid reader with interests spanning classical literature, true crime, and modern poetry. She resides in New England and, when not writing, continues to engage with academic scholarship. An active presence on social media platforms, she often communicates with her readership about literary influences, including authors like Patricia Highsmith and Shirley Jackson, and the craft of writing.

Category:American novelists Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:University of Virginia alumni Category:Boston University alumni