The first full-length study of its type highlighting over 150 fictional villains, many famous through their film and TV adaptations including The Daleks and Cruella De Vil, as well as crime fiction favourites. Using essays to highlight different types of villains and focusing on some of the more famous such as Moriarty and Sweeney Todd. Popular crime fiction writer and former Chairman of the CWA, Russell James celebrates the role of the fictional villains. Illustrations will include original film posters and first edition covers from classic crime fiction and other genres and media.

This is the companion book to Russell's Great British Detectives.

Part of a series of dictionary-style books to include The Dictionary of Animal Stories: from Black Beauty to White Fang by Fiona Shoop (published September 2009)