A review by vsbedford
The Big Book of Rogues and Villains by Otto Penzler

3.0

The first of these collections that didn't thoroughly grab me - this, for me, is a work to be appreciated as both an object and as a labor of love by the authors and editor alike, rather than read for enjoyment. First, it's very size makes both the digital and print editions hard to manage and second, you lose the forest for the trees a bit because of how many historical/geographical distinctions are made and included. I appreciate showing the scope of the genre but by the beginning of The Pulp Era I had lost a grasp on where we'd all started. Anyhoo, small quibbles on what should be included in most crime-lovers' libraries.

I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.