| 'General Homicide' | |||||
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| General Homicide cover | |||||
| Publication | |||||
| GH author | Anonymous (Kevin Collins) | ||||
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General Homicide is a fictional book written anonymously by Kevin Collins.
History[]
In March 1998 on Port Charles, Kevin decides to write a fictional murder mystery titled General Homicide. The book, featuring characters based on the staff of General Hospital becomes a bestseller. However, a real murderer begins to replicate the fictional crimes against the hospital's nurses and doctors.
Background[]
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Lucy and Kevin with the General Homicide book (1998)
While Matt Harmon was discussing patient treatment with Dr. Julie Morris-Devlin, a news crew burst into the hospital. Suddenly, shots were fired, and a reporter collapsed, prompting the interns to rush to his aid. The man was frantic, demanding to know his location. When informed he was at General Hospital, he abruptly sat up, exclaimed "You mean "General Homicide!" and hurried away. The interns realized it was all a publicity stunt for a new book called "General Homicide."
Upon arriving at GH, Lucy Coe encountered Nurse Audrey Hardy engrossed in the latest murder mystery, "General Homicide." Audrey remarked on the uncanny resemblances between the book's characters and the staff at General Hospital, including figures resembling Dr. Tony Jones, Dr. Steve Hardy, and Lucy. During her visit, Lucy clashed with Katherine Bell over the identity of "Nancy" from the book, only to be dismayed to learn that she was represented by the character with a pet goose. Despite Kevin's reassurances that she was overreacting, Lucy was convinced that Rex Stanton had penned the novel and contemplated suing for libel. However, Kevin confessed to being the author of "General Homicide" and implored Lucy to keep it a secret. Lucy was shocked that Kevin had written the murder mystery and questioned him about the death of the character that was clearly based on her.
Victor Collins began reading "General Homicide" and, to Kevin's surprise and curiosity, Victor immediately recognized the book as Kevin's work, revealing that some events Kevin believed were fictional were actually autobiographical. Kevin later becomes upset about the revelation that he is the author of "General Homicide." Reporters grow fascinated with Kevin, eager to learn about a man whose brother was a serial killer and who wrote a book about a serial killer, featuring characters that closely resemble real people—Kevin, however, refuses to discuss it.
As the "General Homicide" murders begin, Julie, becomes the prime suspect, particularly after her father, Bennett Devlin the first victim—is discovered dead in the hospital lab following an argument with her. When Mac Scorpio shares undisclosed details, Kevin is shocked to find that Bennett's murder is an exact replication of a character's death in his book, "General Homicide."
The next murder occurred during a circus performance at GH, where Nurse Grace Sullivan was strangled with her stethoscope in the intern dressing room. Julie, found near the crime scene, became a suspect once more. Audrey, worried, questioned Lucy's wish to stay as chairwoman since Lucy's character is killed off at the The Nurses' Ball in "General Homicide." Lucy, however, reassured Audrey, believing that the murderer—Eve Lambert—would soon be apprehended. Later, at the Nurse's Ball, Jake Marshak was discovered dead, hanging from the rafters at the Port Charles Hotel. At Jake's apartment, the police found a copy of "General Homicide," clippings of the murders, keys to a car similar to Kevin's, and a suicide note. Mac ruled Jake's death a suicide, convincing Kevin that Jake was the "General Homicide" killer.
Despite another murder, that of Dr. Cassandra May, Jake was exonerated. During Dr. Chris Ramsay's party, the elevator doors opened to reveal Kevin holding the lifeless body of Dr. May. Interns rushed to assist, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. After the paramedics left, guests pondered over Kevin's assertion that Dr. May had been poisoned with cyanide, a scenario that echoed her character's end in "General Homicide." Moreover, an attempt on Matt's life by electrocution in his apartment was reminiscent of a "General Homicide" storyline. When Det Alex Garcia found condemning evidence against Julie, she was taken into custody. Charged with the "General Homicide" murders, Julie sought the legal aid of Lee Baldwin. At her trial, Lee pointed to Dr. Eve Lambert as the real culprit, leading to Julie's exoneration. The killings stopped while Julie was imprisoned but resumed upon her release.
On Halloween night, the killer slays John Kanelos with a sword. Kevin, Eve, and Victor are baffled by the killer's deviation from the pattern set out in "General Homicide." This prompts Kevin to confront the killer on a radio show, mocking his loss of control. Shortly after, he receives a call from the killer, who vows to escalate his crimes to a grander scale.
In November, the killer set off a bomb in the hospital's elevator shaft, trapping Julie, Lucy, Mary Scanlon, Joe Scanlon, Karen Wexler, Ellen Burgess, and Eve. As General Hospital was evacuated, Kevin, Scott, and Victor stayed behind to find their loved ones. They discovered a second bomb, which Scott, aided by Victor and the bomb squad, successfully disarmed. The true culprit stayed hidden until someone resembling Eve was seen on a hospital rooftop security camera near the bomb's location. Concurrently, a woman donning a wig similar to Eve's hair was observed in a mirror. As she turned, it became clear: Julie was the "General Homicide" killer!
In the end, it came to light that Julie, under the influence of Greg Cooper, a spiteful ex-hospital intern, orchestrated the crimes. Kevin and Eve figured out Julie's involvement, but after Kevin was stabbed, Greg confessed to him as the actual killer of Bennett and others, believing Kevin wouldn't survive. Cooper, having escaped the mental institution to commit the murders, had forced Julie's involvement. Kevin and Eve were taken captive by Julie and Greg, who also detained Victor and Frank Scanlon. Julie and Greg kept Kevin, Eve, and later Lucy, who was captured during a rescue attempt, hostage at Rex's empty mansion. Eve and Lucy almost met their end but were saved by Chris and Scott. Frank overpowered Greg while Detective Garcia apprehended Julie. Both Greg and Julie were arrested. After Julie's capture, Lee Baldwin became her legal guardian, and Dr. Gail Baldwin ensured Julie was committed to Ferncliff Asylum psychiatric facility for necessary treatment.
Trivia[]
- This storyline played out entirely on the spinoff Port Charles.