The Savant of Chelsea

The Savant of Chelsea #1

by Suzanne Jenkins

After the death of her mother, New York surgeon Alexandra travels to New Orleans to face the secrets and tragedies of her youth. A mystery is solved leading to a journey to madness.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Medical, Ebooks, Amazon, Psychology

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2013

About the author

Suzanne Jenkins lives at the west Michigan lakeshore. She is the author of Pam of Babylon and the series; Don’t You Forget About Me,Dream Lover, Prayers for the Dying, Family Dynamics and The Tao of Pam. The Greeks of Beaubien Street,and The Princess of Greektown from the Greektown Stories, Alice's Summertime Adventure, The Savant of Chelsea and Someone Like You.
https://www.facebook.com/suzannejenki...
Twitter @suzannejenkins3

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandra is a brain surgeon in New York... talented, but somewhat unstable. Her employer furnishes her with a personal assistant. Alexandra is incapable of taking care of herself, bathing, dressing, eating and getting anywhere on time.

When her mother dies, Alexandra travels to New Orleans, and faces the secrets of her youth. She must grapple with long-hidden emotions and discover her own humanity. A mystery is solved leading to a journey to madness.

Savant Syndrome is a rare mental disorder where the patient demonstrates extraordinary abilities despite a mental or physical disability. The author has certainly done her research. She brings forth an incredible character, indelibly drawn, and one who will remain in your memory long after you finish reading.

This is quite an adventure for Alexandra that leads to a riveting ending.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before I start my review, I must state that I'm a psychologist and I have a pet peeve against poorly researched novels that inaccurately portray mental illnesses and THE SAVANT OF CHELSEA does a horrible job portraying mental illness realistically.

Alexandra is a brilliant, yet mentally ill neurosurgeon who grew up neglected, abused, and molested. Her mother has just committed suicide, so Alexandra returns to New Orleans to search for the daughter she gave birth to at age ten (yes ten).

I didn't care for Suzanne Jenkins's heavy-handed writing style, her overuse of adjectives and adverbs. As a reader, I don't need to be told the rape of a child is horrific with adjectives, a better writer would allow that feeling to arrive viscerally rather than being told how to feel before I can feel it myself.

If you're willing to suspend your disbelief with the plot and characters, you might like this book.

[Arielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, poorly written. The author is clearly proud of the ending because she says "it's up to you to decide what happens after the climax." I wouldn't really call that a climax, I call it a cop out sentence that was clearly added in for shock value and because she probably couldn't come up with a better ending. Trying to pass that off as a climax is a bunch of turd polishing.

[Lea Setegn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was like reading Danielle Steele with 400 times more agony for the main character. It was written in the passive voice, often telling you about the characters instead of showing you. I finished it because I needed to know what exactly the deal was with he main character, but alas, there weren’t really any answers. I’m definitely NOT reading the next one.

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dark and horrible

Regret reading this horrid book. A very dark story with an entirely unbelievable turn in the personality of the main character. The ending was abrupt and shocking. Not only is the story line dark and depressing but it’s also far fetched even for fiction.

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

To accurately to synopt this story, I feel I would have to practically rewrite it. The best way to at least summarize the novel is as a series of tragic abuse situations leading to difficult childhoods.

The focus of the story 'The Savant' herself is a brilliant surgeon who as the title suggests struggles with the more social aspects of life. The story begins with the discovery of her mother has passing away, prompting a search for a daughter thought long lost.

SPOILERS (hard to review without revealing something)

The majority of the rest of the novel is in flashback, explaining our Savant's difficult upbringing and subsequent abuse - I confess I started to get a little lost among the mothers, lovers, absent fathers and illegitimate children.

Whilst the book lacks a sense of direction I rated it highly for unpredictability. In the final chapters a clear tension finally appears in the form of Savant desiring to maintain custody of her 5 biological grandchildren, while her long-lost daughter wishes to oppose this. The way in which this is resolved will surprise all readers even the most astute.

I have to add a disclaimer that I do not genuinely think this is a good book. Apparently a compilation of ideas Jenkins has had over the years for Chelsea's Savant, the piece is disjointed, poorly prosed and as mentioned above devoid of coherent plot. This is all made up for in sheer audacity and bizarreness, I don't think I've ever read a book quite like it.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was riveting and I stayed up way too to finish it. I wanted to give it 4 stars but I couldn't for a couple of reasons. One was that her "mental illness" was too outlandish to be believable. But for the sake of the story I was able to ignore it, because she was such an intense, compelling character, and her life was fascinating. The second and main reason that I couldn't give it 4 stars is the abrupt ending, totally unexpected, and leaving the reader with so many unanswered questions. It was shocking, that's for sure, but frustrating. However, if you want a unique page turner, this is a good one!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Savant of Chelsea (The Savant of Chelsea, #1) - a review by Rosemary Kenny

As a woman with Asperger's Syndrome, also known as high-functioning autism, I could relate to the main character Doctor Alexandra Donicka,in The Savant of Chelsea by the amazingly versatile Suzanne Jenkins. Definitely not for the faint-hearted or those expecting a sweet romance or an HEA as in other series by the same author, but a gritty, could-be-based-on-a-true-story retrospective tale of a sexually abused very young girl in New Orleans who is forced to undergo the trauma of having to give birth to a baby girl aged only 10. After the baby is removed and adopted, Alexandra collapses mentally and neglects herself physically, until one day she 'miraculously' transforms herself into a 'with it' fully-integrated member of society, trains as a doctor and graduated with time and experience into a top brain surgeon at a city hospital. Other revelations and progressively dramatic events follow in flash-backs of almost PTSD intensity, that includes the finding of her long-lost daughter, (who knows nothing of her birth mother's life to date) and the discovery for Alexandra that she also has five grandchildren.As the family members interact and react, major changes occur that are not to everyone's liking. How will Alexandra change her busy life as a result?Will her daughter and grandchildren want to have her in their lives? Read The Savant of Chelsea by Suzanne Jenkins and count your own blessings as you do!

[Marilou Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

om: The Savant of Chelsea (Kindle Edition) Alexandra grew up in horrible conditions. A mother who didn't show her any affection and let the most horrific things happen to her. A little girl abandoned when she becomes pregnant and has a child. Babies having babies . . . very sad. Alexandra's baby girl eventually put up for adoption and she is left having to pick up the pieces of her very young life. Alexandra is smart, very smart and eventually becomes a top surgeon. But she has social problems that stifle her existence, until she finds out what happened to her child.

Great story with a twist. I highly recommend The Savant of Chelsea. Fast paced and hard to put down.

[Clarissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of the book was intriguing, I was eager to find out more about Alexandra and what caused her strange behavior. I think this book had a lot of potential to explore the story a little further and flush out the characters a little bit. Instead, the author didn't seem as though she did any research on mental illness whatsoever. Honestly, someone can't suffer from a mental illness since childhood and all of a sudden snap out of it in mid-adulthood. It was such a let down in the last half of the book, it was almost fantastical, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Thank goodness the novel was short.

[Bobbie Christmas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly Written

This potentially good but not believable story is mostly told through narrative rather than shown through scenes and dialogue. The point of view is all over the place and hard to follow, and because of the volume of unclear pronouns, I often had to back up to see who the story was even talking about. I see that one reviewer wasn’t even sure who died in the end, because of the unclear writing. It’s unsettling to see the volume of work this author has produced and the good reviews the work has gotten. It’s a sign that readers are not skilled in evaluating the quality of writing of such a book.

[Anita Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but seemed to be a lot of historical mistakes, I guess you'd say. Doc born in the 50 ' s but when she gets the kids at age 38 she has cell phone, MRI's are prevalent, etc.

[Athena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needed some serious proofreading. Words were misused, left out, and misspelled. The story kept my attention, but it was downright ridiculous at times.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Dube & Emma Dube (30, wife, nee Dumont) tied the knot.
Mr. Dumont set them up with a lavish house on Bourbon/Canal St. & the soon to be open fabulous restaurant.
George mistress was Ms. Catherine Donicka (waitress). She became pregnant & had their child.
Anne (waitress) delivered the baby girl Alexandra Donicka.

Emma (44) later became pregnant also.
New Orleans, LA. 1944, The Black Swan Café. 1-day George Dube could not figure out why his Catherine Donicka (mother, waitress).
Jemma (waitress) was sent upstairs to see.
A horrible scream, Catherine (mental illness) had committed suicide.
Not really mature yet, Frederick Benson (stable hand) took every advantage of Alexandra Donicka.
She seemed to enjoy it after a while.
11 yrs. old she had gotten P/G also.
This baby girl was named Elizabeth.
Fast forward, Alexandra (autistic) took the MCAT & was admitted to Columbia U.
She received her MS & PhD; biology.
Julia was Alexandra’s BFF/confidant.
Officer Jerome Rodríguez (husband, Catherine’s cousin, NOPD), & Kathy Rodríguez Jerome’s wife, Dr.’s asst.) had adopted Colleen Rodríguez (28, Elizabeth’s daughter).
Colleen had turned into a drug addict.
It was over in a heart-beat.
The bailiff read the Docket # 459, Family Court of New Orleans. Dr. Alexandra Donicka (grandmother, surgeon, PhD, former Columbia U Professor) was granted full/permanent custody of: Nina (7), Gloria (6), Sophia (5), Taylor (4), Benjamin “Ben” Rodríguez (3), Morgan (11 months), & Moira Rodríguez (3 months).
Next stop for Dr. Donicka Social Services, & the foster family to pick up the 7 children/their belongings.
Julia (Alexandra’s neighbor), Beth (child psychology student), & Faye were there for moral support & babysitters.
Riverwalk Hilton. The children loved the high society touch & the pool.
Colleen Rodríguez (inmate) was screaming at Manny Rivola (attorney). She found out her bio-mother got custody of her kids.
Meridian Hotel Madison Square Garden, NYC. Peter Van Sant (hospital administrator), Nurse Grace Hendrix, May, & Loren were there to greet the family to their new home.
Beth was the new nanny.
The kids loved Chelsea Park (29th St.).

What news did Thomas “Tom” Ryan have for Dr. Donicka.

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (child verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse, human sex slavery, prostitution, & trafficking) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written psychological thriller book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Not for the faint of heart! To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[S.R. Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** A Riveting Book, Indeed. I loved it!!

Often, I’ll "Look Inside" a book on Amazon and think, “Hmm, this seems interesting,” or “Nope, that doesn’t work for me.” But this time, the minute I looked inside of Suzanne Jenkins’ THE SAVANT OF CHELSEA, I bought the book without a moment’s hesitation and started reading.

First off, the female lead, Alexandra, is truly unique. Although she’s a brilliant surgeon, she’s also a high-functioning autistic savant, with all its trappings. She has trouble looking at people directly, doesn’t like to be touched, goes for late night/early morning runs to remain stabilized, and although at work she’s a whiz, the everyday necessities of life, like eating, laundry, even shower reminders are helped along by a small team of paid help.

But if that weren’t interesting enough, the author starts to skillfully peel back more and more about this person––her terrible, abusive childhood, how she managed to escape that horrific background to become who she is, and her dark secret. When her mother, whom she’s not seen in years, dies, she travels to New Orleans for a single purpose. And it’s that very touching purpose that kicks the book up into an even higher gear. More than riveted, I could not turn the pages of this book fast enough. Recommend? ABSOLUTELY!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to write a review about a book that tackles such distressing subjects as child abuse, mental illness and autism?

I can't say exactly why I loved this book but I did.

The whole story was written and dealt with in a no-nonsense but compassionate way. It dealt with the young Alexandra and the awful life she had as a child with a mother who couldn't care whether she was alive or dead.

The only light in the little girl's life was Julia who ran the museum, Alexandra and her mother lived in a renovated chicken coop in the yard of the museum.

In her own strange way, Alex grew up and became an extraordinarily gifted surgeon, so much so that the hospital where she worked took care of her every need.

Eventually, the life, if you can call it that, that Alex had made for herself changed dramatically when she received word of her mother's death and she had to return to New Orleans from New York.

I haven't read a book for years that made me really think like this one did, made me consider the awful lives some children have (even though I know it happens constantly) but this book wasn't afraid to address serious issues in a down to earth way.

The ending, slightly surprising but I fully understand why!

[Janice Spina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Savant of Chelsea is a fascinating story about a woman with mental illness. The descriptions of Alexandra indicate a combination of Savant, Tourette’s Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome. Alexandra tries to escape her illness by running long distances.

It is difficult to believe that just exercise will heal a person with any of these conditions. But this is a work of fiction and an enjoyable one at that.

The author created a story with endearing characters (the children) besides the main protagonist, Alexandra, who gripped your heart. The story presented the seedy side of life as Alexandra relives her horrendous life with a mother with mental illness who took drugs and was a prostitute. Alexandra is raped at the age of 10 and has the baby who is taken from her by her mother. Alexandra is heart broken for years and finally discovers what happened to her daughter.

Love is what heals and helps Alexandra to get back to a normal life when she meets her seven grandchildren. She feels compelled to take them out of the same type of environment that she had as a child and brings them back to New York, her home to raise.

I won’t tell you how this ends, but if you want to know what happens next, buy this book. An enjoyable and worthwhile read for lovers of medical mysteries.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was truly a mixed bag for me and I do feel that readers should be forewarned of graphic and extremely painful life experiences the main character goes through as a child. Alexandria has one of the most wretched childhoods one can imagine but within it all she survives right up to turning point in her young life where the most precious thing in her life is taken from her in a heart wrenching manner.
Somehow Alexandria survives all this but at a great cost to herself and ability to cope with everyday life right down to eating bathing, etc She becomes a brilliant surgeon but a very damaged individual as far as interacting with others. Up to this point the story really held me somewhat in a horrified grip but it held me.
What happens after her mother dies and Alex goes down to New Orleans gets really dicey. There is no way a woman who has gone through what she did and has so many walls and shelters in place can do a complete about face the way she did - not possible.
The ending...well imagine driving along a road and then all of a sudden there is no road!

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riveting

A savage childhood with physical, emotional and sexual abuse left Alexandra seriously damaged psychologically. But her genius and extraordinary ability in neuroscience catapulted her to the top of the medical field. Her problems dealing with the mundane tasks of self-care and everyday living require assistance but her brilliance makes the investment worth it. After her mentally ill mother's death, Alexandra returns to New Orleans to find the child she birthed at age eleven. A poignant reunion it is not. The daughter is a mentally ill, sadistic addict with seven children she exploits in the most horrible ways. Alexandra gains custody and returns to NYC with a brood. Surprisingly the woman who could not care for herself is able to tend to the children. But whether she can maintain the balance remains to be seen.

This is a riveting tale of a troubled woman. However the custody procedure was a joke and I found Alexandra's transformation unbelievable. Still I wanted to see how it ended and liked the shocking ending.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandra is a brilliant doctor who can barely cope outside of the operating room. She has assistants who help her with everything, and the only thing that makes life bearable outside of her job as a brain surgeon is running. Alexandra runs for mile upon miles without tiring, trying but never succeeding to outrun the demons of her past. When she receives news of her mother's death, she returns to New Orleans to try to make things right. That doesn't mean burying her mother, instead it means finding the daughter who was taken from her years ago. So begins Alexandra's journey towards healing, and facing the past, present, and future with courage she didn't know she possessed.

Alexandra is a complex character, and we get a real feel for her innermost thoughts and motivations in the unique way the story is told. Her past is slowly revealed and it is disturbing, the state of her present day situation becomes clearer, and every page brings us closer to the while truth. It's not an easy read, there could be a lot of triggers here, but is well crafted and emotionally charged.

[Ian Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful tale

This is truly a beautiful story. Moving and emotional and we'll told. It had me hooked up until the very end. And then there at the very end my admiration ended. There on what I would term a lazy and almost cowardly act the author ruined we'll told tale with a farcical ending. Many stories have tragic endings , however a good book don't have to be soiled by a sloppy finale. It's as if the author bumped into a word count limit and handed the ending to a bot which did the deed in the most bot like way. The ending of a book is important. Especially a good book such as this.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭

Jeez what a harrowing read.
Molestation from an early age. A mother who doesn't care even when alexandria gives birth at the age of 10. Eventually the mother gives the child away on Alexandria first day back at school!
As an adult having made something of get self and become a surgeon, her mother dies and while going to see about her mother's funeral she finds her daughter who is a drug addict and prostitute with 7 children of whom she uses the oldest girl for money and molestation.
Alexandria gets her daughter arrested and the court awards her custody but her daughter gets relased and she's coming for her girls!

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

had to read the ending twice

Jesus Christ this book is bleak. From beginning to end it has a coldness, a sinister edge, a disturbing mood. It's seriously bleak. I had to read the shocking ending twice just to digest it. I'm still reeling.

But, wow, it's compelling. My connection to Alexandra was established quickly and strongly but everything else about this book is looming. The plot lurks around corners. The fuse has been lit and you're watching it burn in slow motion until...boom!

Why on earth is there a sequel though? I'm definitely not reading that. I want to be left reeling by this book forever.

[Alice Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lives Lost

I would have given this story a Five rating however I hated the end. That being said the story had me spellbound. Alexandria survived a heinous childhood only to become a well sought after brain surgeon. Her childhood prevented her from leading a normal life, that is until she met her grandchildren.

I read this book in five hours. Once I started I could not put it down. Although I hated the ending, I highly recommend reading this book. It will make your troubles seem trivial.

[Emma Cyrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a problematic book - see others' reviews for a taste of that. As a writer, I can be very critical of books, and this one violated many cardinal rules of fiction writing. In some ways, it might be better viewed as a piece of science fiction because of its 'unreality.' Having said that, it's a very compelling read, and Jenkins skillfully enters the experience of her protagonist and makes us want to know what happens to her, makes us care about the outcome. I'm going to read the sequel and then know more about what I want to say about the whole character arc.

[Debbie Rathert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Enthralling

A peek into the shell of a life, empty and heartbroken, a genius child who survived the streets of New Orleans. The genius child is left to her own wits without the attention of her mentally ill, manipulative mother. As one of the best doctors in the country she relies on others for survival seemingly nothing more than a shell of a person until she revisits her past. She changes as does her entire life and personality. The cause of the transformation is tragic but fascinating. I recommend you read the story of Dr. Alexandra Donicka.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra is a gifted brain surgeon when she gets a call that her mother Charlotte has taken her life. The upbringing was horrific, she has a baby at 11 years old that she delivered a baby girl she called Elizabeth in chicken coop/home where she lived with her mother. When she starts school, the crazy mother gave the baby away. After she became an established doctor, she vows to find her baby daughter. What a great story! Twisted, Crazy mother, abused Alexandra, socially inept, and just plain weird. You'll enjoy this as much as I did! Now I'm reading the next book......

[Lee Kaiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

started out well with interesting protagonist and situation of autistic genius working as a brain surgeon. As if that wasn't a stretch the woman makes a miraculous instant recovery (wasn't autistic after all) upon reuniting with the baby taken away decades earlier. So many plot holes such as a kidnapped child entering the school system with no problem. Just doesn't happen. But crucial to the plot. Only got three quarters of way and had to give up when cliched and unrealistic plot takes over. Not that well written either. Can't believe this is the foundation of a series.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra was strange. That’s what everyone thought. Her first relationship, perverse as it was, resulted in a pregnancy. She was ten. Not knowing she was pregnant or even what that meant, the child had the child. Now a neurosurgeon, Alexandra was respected, but from afar. Diagnosed with late onset autism. She was brilliant. After learning of a tragedy back in her hometown, the opportunity to go find her baby finally arrived. What she finds is inexplicable. How could she cope?

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is between a 3 and 4. The primary character, Alexandra, is an interesting mix of traits if autism, Tourettes syndrome, neglected child, in addition to other issues. Alexander’s genius seems to redeem her for all of the issues that seek to encapsulate her. The book is fascinating although the progression of Alexandra seems too easy. It is a good read, I believe females will find it such more-so than males. I look forward to the sequel.