Some teenagers walk around with a chip on their shoulder: Light Yagami, the alienated hero of this macabre fantasy-adventure, has Ryuk, a "Shinigami", or god of death, hovering over his shoulder. Light proceeds with his plan to eliminate anyone he considers worthy of death by writing their names in Ryuk's notebook. But when he kills the FBI agents who have come to Japan to help solve the spate of mysterious murders, the investigation shifts into higher gear. The elusive L meets with a small cadre of police officers who are willing to risk their lives to pursue the case--including Light's father. Although he's eccentric and twitchy, L is clearly brilliant. The police can gather information and run errands, but the case is now literally a duel to the death between L and Light. Director Tetsuro Araki maintains the suspense, although his cast isn't particularly likable. The Special Edition comes with a collectible figure of Light, to go with the one of Ryuk that came with the previous volume. (Rated Teen+ Older Teen, suitable for ages 15 and older: grotesque imagery, violence) "--Charles Solomon"