Counterfeiters, imposters, swindlers, robbers - most of them villains, and a few who are actually heroic - all of them fascinating! 

 Presented here are some of the most enthralling true-crime books listed roughly in order of the type of villainy. The list begins with forgers, proceeds to frauds and grifters, and ends with outright thieves. Of course, there are gray areas: some books encompass a couple - or all four - categories.  (And, should a hacker be classified as a forger, a fraud, a grifter, or a thief?)

Looking for more true-crime books? You'll find them here:

• Organized Crime
• Cybercrime
• Murder
• Abductions, Kidnappings & Missing Persons
• Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions
• Criminals & Outlaws
• Heists & Robberies
• White Collar Crime