readhikerepeat's review
5.0
From The Book Wheel:
Wow. Just wow. I honestly tried to think of a better word to describe this book, but ‘wow’ is still the main one that comes to mind. You just can’t make this stuff up.Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen is a book that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning because you’re equally fascinated and horrified. I, for one, was horrified by several things: politics and the justice system in the early 1900′s, the doctor’s actions, the people who sought her help, and the zealousness of her followers. But I was also fascinated. Why did the doctor practice what she did? And why did people go to her? And moreover, why did they staywith her? You see, Starvation Heights is a true story. It’s a story about murder, theft, coercion, corruption, conspiracy, botched medical treatments, bigamy, and more. It starts out with the admirable goal of helping people and ends with more than a dozen deaths.
In the early 1900′s, Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard’s one goal in life was to build a sanitarium in small-town Olalla, WA, where she could practice her unconventional (and non-medically certified) cure for the ailing. She had grand dreams, a large piece of land, and a compliant husband. Her belief was that, by fasting, problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ailments, and other organic diseases could be eliminated. The problem, aside from only taking on wealthy patients she could coerce into handing over their estates, was that they kept dying. One of these patients was Claire Williamson, a wealthy Briton who chased faddist cures and, along with her sister Dora, stumbled into Dr. Hazzard‘s care. The silver lining is that while Claire died (although the body shown to her family members was probably someone else’s), her sister Dora survived and brought the doctor to trial. But going to trial wasn’t enough and the story doesn’t end there.
To be honest, I don’t know what is more horrifying: the fact that Dr. Hazzard did what she did or the things I learned about how things worked in the early 1900′s. The county was so poor that the victim’s family had to foot the bill to go to trial because the prosecutors didn’t want to proceed. They were, in fact, so poor that the jury pooled its money to buy the court bailiff new shoes during the trial because his were so old. Then, there’s the fact that the fasting cure was approved by the State of Washington and that they gave Dr. Hazzard a license to practice medicine in the first place when she had absolutely no schooling in the subject. On top of that, coroners didn’t need medical experience, either! What’s even more shocking is that this is actually still true in a lot of places, but that’s a whole other subject. And that’s not all! Despite the accusations, people still came to her for treatment.
For the full review, click here.
Allison @ The Book Wheel
Wow. Just wow. I honestly tried to think of a better word to describe this book, but ‘wow’ is still the main one that comes to mind. You just can’t make this stuff up.Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen is a book that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning because you’re equally fascinated and horrified. I, for one, was horrified by several things: politics and the justice system in the early 1900′s, the doctor’s actions, the people who sought her help, and the zealousness of her followers. But I was also fascinated. Why did the doctor practice what she did? And why did people go to her? And moreover, why did they staywith her? You see, Starvation Heights is a true story. It’s a story about murder, theft, coercion, corruption, conspiracy, botched medical treatments, bigamy, and more. It starts out with the admirable goal of helping people and ends with more than a dozen deaths.
In the early 1900′s, Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard’s one goal in life was to build a sanitarium in small-town Olalla, WA, where she could practice her unconventional (and non-medically certified) cure for the ailing. She had grand dreams, a large piece of land, and a compliant husband. Her belief was that, by fasting, problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ailments, and other organic diseases could be eliminated. The problem, aside from only taking on wealthy patients she could coerce into handing over their estates, was that they kept dying. One of these patients was Claire Williamson, a wealthy Briton who chased faddist cures and, along with her sister Dora, stumbled into Dr. Hazzard‘s care. The silver lining is that while Claire died (although the body shown to her family members was probably someone else’s), her sister Dora survived and brought the doctor to trial. But going to trial wasn’t enough and the story doesn’t end there.
To be honest, I don’t know what is more horrifying: the fact that Dr. Hazzard did what she did or the things I learned about how things worked in the early 1900′s. The county was so poor that the victim’s family had to foot the bill to go to trial because the prosecutors didn’t want to proceed. They were, in fact, so poor that the jury pooled its money to buy the court bailiff new shoes during the trial because his were so old. Then, there’s the fact that the fasting cure was approved by the State of Washington and that they gave Dr. Hazzard a license to practice medicine in the first place when she had absolutely no schooling in the subject. On top of that, coroners didn’t need medical experience, either! What’s even more shocking is that this is actually still true in a lot of places, but that’s a whole other subject. And that’s not all! Despite the accusations, people still came to her for treatment.
For the full review, click here.
Allison @ The Book Wheel
mkinne's review
3.0
A riveting, well-written story based on actual events. But I mistrust how much of this is true and how much is embellished. Conversations between Dora & Claire? Descriptions of how either of them were feeling? Probably embellishments, although Claire kept a diary that is discussed, although not excerpted. Dora’s possible infatuation with Agassiz seems wholly made up and really bothers me, for some reason. The Author’s Notes and Acknowledgements describes some of Olsen’s sources, but not in any organized or academic way, so in the end, it’s really hard to tell how much of the book is true beyond the bare bones facts, which is a shame for such a fascinating subject. Maybe I have a problem with True Crime as a genre, or maybe this is a particularly fictionalized or sensationalized (though well written & compelling) example.
booktalkwithkarla's review
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
This true story of Linda Burfield Hazzard’s malicious and murderous actions is compelling for many reasons. The crimes are horrific and detailed by Gregg Olsen based on extensive research and interviews. Olsen’s writing is organized and interesting never getting in the way of the story. Hazard herself is fascinating in the most horrible way. Her husband Sam and son Rollin add to the villainy. Sweet Claire and Dora are heroes, although imperfect.
The entire story from Claire’s interest in fasting to connecting with Hazzard to her death to the trial to the post trial events is presented. I was in turn disgusted and fist pumping as I read. As with all true crime my fascination is in the psychology and justice aspects of the crime. Hazzard is one example of someone who lacks conscience and awareness. This book was loaned to me by a friend. I’m grateful to have read it and happy to return it - leaving Hazzard in the past and praying no one follows in her footsteps.
aratecla_the_bookrat's review against another edition
2.0
The title and the cover were so inviting that I thought I was going to love this book as I'm obsessed with true crime. In reality I found it really boring and more than once I thought I wasn't going to finish it expect from the fact that when I start a book I have to finish it. The writing was so abrupt at times that I didn't know what I was reading until most of the paragraph/paragraphs in. I think that it could have been written in half the pages as well. The only thing I appreciate is the amount of work and research that transpires and that is why I gave it two stars.
ipekreading's review against another edition
4.0
As usual Gregg Olsen tells a true crime story that reads like a novel. I was fascinated by the story here and appreciated the deep dive into the lives of the victims. While I did crave for some more intel into "Dr."Hazzard's motivations, this was a fascinating read.
Thank you Bookouture and Thread books for the ARC of this one!
Thank you Bookouture and Thread books for the ARC of this one!
libraryofretellingsandstars's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and Thread Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review,
"Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen follows wealthy sisters Claire and Dora Williamson that take part in a fasting treatment with this Dr. Linda Hazzard who they had approached in her sanctuary during 1911.
I would give "Starvation Heights: by Gregg Olsen a 3-star review because, it is such a interesting story while horrifying at times, what was my compelling is the fact that this actually happened, I just felt that the story was too long and repetitive.
"Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen follows wealthy sisters Claire and Dora Williamson that take part in a fasting treatment with this Dr. Linda Hazzard who they had approached in her sanctuary during 1911.
I would give "Starvation Heights: by Gregg Olsen a 3-star review because, it is such a interesting story while horrifying at times, what was my compelling is the fact that this actually happened, I just felt that the story was too long and repetitive.
mollz55's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Very interesting. Some of the legal stuff got a little slow.