In 1930, Walter B. Gibson created a superhero who quickly became a national sensation via a serialized radio program. That character was none other than Lamont Cranston, also known as The Shadow, and the show’s introductory line has become the stuff of legend: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

James Patterson and Brian Sitts have teamed up for the second entry in their Shadow series, CIRCLE OF DEATH. Lamont and his wife, Margo --- who possess many different powers, including time travel --- jump ahead 150 years from 1930 to 2088. They are living in the same home and oversee Maddy, a college freshman who most people think is their daughter. She is actually their great-great-great-great granddaughter.

"Patterson and Sitts do a fine job of keeping their story constantly moving forward at breakneck speed. If you enjoy the thrill of action-filled comics, then CIRCLE OF DEATH will have you squealing with joy."

In the first installment of the series, THE SHADOW, Lamont was able to stop the threat of a former fellow student and now adversary, Shiwan Khan. But any peace that he and his family may get to experience is short-lived when the President of the Americas comes to him for help with a global threat from the Command, an evil organization led by the Destroyer of Worlds. For an undertaking of this magnitude, the Cranstons are going to need a few friends.

That help comes in the form of Jericho Druke, Moe Shrevnitz and Burbank, all of whom are direct descendants and spitting images of their long-deceased relatives who fought with The Shadow back in the 1930s. They each have a particular skill set and will be put to the test --- especially Burbank, a communications/technology specialist who is much needed in this strange new world that Lamont now inhabits. At the same time, fatal attacks are occurring around the world, and there is a rash of murders happening right in New York City, specifically at the 2088 World’s Fair. Lamont recognizes that this is all somehow connected, so they divvy up their team to tackle both issues.

Lamont and Margo decide to visit the World’s Fair. While they are trapped on a stalled ride, where passengers appear to be floating in mid-air, another murder happens on the ground. A trip to the United Nations ends with the Cranstons being sent on a top-secret flight to Paris in search of the enemies’ lair. When the doors open, they are met by a flying drone that drops an envelope with an invite for them to dine with the Destroyer of Worlds, who is expecting them. They are then struck with tiny darts that knock them out.

Meanwhile, two more ancestors of former Shadow team members --- Tapper and Hawkeye --- show up to lend their assistance to the fight. Alas, not every member of the team will make it out of this deadly conflagration.

The Destroyer of Worlds has a couple of huge surprises for Lamont, in addition to a few other jaw-dropping plot twists, all of which make for an exhilarating reading experience. Patterson and Sitts do a fine job of keeping their story constantly moving forward at breakneck speed. If you enjoy the thrill of action-filled comics, then CIRCLE OF DEATH will have you squealing with joy.