Reviews - Been There, Read That!

The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli: As Told to Diane Miller

The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli: As Told to Diane Miller

By: Carolyn Hennesy

3.4 Hearts out of 5

Summary from GoodReads:

Damien Spinelli is one of the most loved characters on General Hospital, despite his propensity for odd speech. He has a nickname for everyone, including himself (The Jackal). As Port Charles' finest computer hacker, he has decided to put his talent to good use as a private dectective. This is the story of his exploits, both real and imagined, as told to another character on the show, Diane Miller. As with our previous partnerships with ABC Daytime, this new book will be integrated extensively into the show. The fact that Spinelli and Diane are working on the book will be included as a storyline, as well as some of Spinelli's tales themselves. His rich fantasy life is already a focus of the show, and that will play into the book itself. Additionally, the actress who plays Diane Miller, Carolyn Hennesy (our writer), is already an established author of a series of YA books. (GoodReads)

Ready to find out why Spinelli will always be a favourite of mine? How about what goes on behind the scenes in his life? Read on:

To be completely honest this wasn't a book I thought I would enjoy. I will say I am a fan of General Hospital, and when I saw this sitting in my mother's pile of books I thought, this book must have bombed; a soap opera character into a book? Either way I did finally pick it up and read it. It honestly wasn't horrible, but you have to really get into the way it's written and the concept to really enjoy it.

This book is written in tales that Damian Spinelli, The Jackal, tells Dianne Miller, a powerful attorney. Each new tale is a case that Spinelli has solved throughout the past couple of years. Each tale becomes more intense, finally all leading up to the one that may take this life. That concept is something to think about. For me, being an analytical nerd and a journalism buff, was something very interesting. It made me analyze the credibility of Spinelli, as well as Miller. Both characters with the position they hold are ones of questionable accountability.

As Spinelli relives his tales Miller is the one who does her best to stay quiet, and gather every inkling of detail. She doesn't want to miss a beat such as did this really happen, is he credible, will he even give me the end of this, and more importantly was this ever truly solved, or just another whodunit mystery?

With the background of Spinelli as a character from the soap, and his way to always converse so analytically and with his extensive depth of knowledge, I felt as if our author may have had a hard time truly capturing who Damian Spinelli truly is. Some of the cases that were given seemed lacking, and it isn't truly in his character description to even go at anything half-heartedly. Personally, I think the plot could have been better, and more fulfilled with a finer look into Spinelli's life and character.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great read for any fan with the inside jokes, and the character's silly, nerdy, and sweet personality. It's not a book to be taken too seriously, it was more as a light hearted read with jokes and silliness to truly give an insight into his life, but still use it keep the bit of him hidden. This book is filled with a satirical aspect, but that's what makes this book in depth, but still fun and interesting to read. I found myself laughing out loud at more than one point. The chapter titled "Damian Spinelli and the Case of the Un-Tracy-able Underworld," was one that really started me in getting to like the book. Also with the part in the story where Jax is actually 67 and a half was one that me chuckle.

Truly enjoying this book is something that has to be read with the hopes of laughter, geektastic dialogue, and an over-the-top telling, because come on, it's Spinelli we're talking with here.

I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the show, loves Damian Spinelli, and for anyone just will to take a light hearted peek into what General Hospital has in store behind the life of our Jackal. 

Get ready for more reviews on the way!

~BetwixtDecisions