In 1911 Claire and Dora arrived in the Pacific Northwest and after that would never be the same. Dr Linda Hazaard was a fasting specialist. She had a cure to bring the greatest health. Claire and Dora put themselves under her care. What Dr Hazzard was doing was on the surface just for health... but in reality she was starving them and taking their money. So interesting of a tale and then the fact that it is true-wow.

I am a true crime junkie so I was really interested to check out this book. I have heard of many experimental treatments that used to be used many years ago so the "fasting treatment' and the story of Dr. Hazzard really drew me in. I found the book very intriguing but I also wish there was more information on Dr. Hazzard herself. I like to hear about the psychology of things and maybe why someone would choose to commit crimes against other people. It was amazing how many illnesses she could claim to treat, all by the patient fasting. Its the whole if it sounds to good to be true then it probably is. That was this case here but the way she was able to convince people her methods worked was astonishing. I did enjoy this book and it led me to do some research of my own on cases like this. I would like to thank NetGalley for providing an ARC to me in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to read this, but it ultimately just let me down. Olsen's writing is beautiful, but it tends to go the way of Tolkien - meaning he spent paragraphs describing a forest when I really wanted to get to the meat of the story. I also feel like the name is misleading - the story is really about the Williamson sisters and the fallout of their time at Starvation Heights. I thought the book would be more informational about the sanitarium itself and Linda Hazzard's background. It was beautifully written, but it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

Such a big fan of this author. Another great story, one that I was unaware of, told with the precision only he can. In depth and well researched you will find yourself immersed. Some reviews complain that the trial part was too lengthy but I don't agree. I found myself completely wound up in it and felt like I was in the courtroom. Terrific book. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy.

I really, really, really wanted to like "Starvation Heights" (by Gregg Olsen). It had do much potential with heinous crimes, medical incompetence, courtroom dramas, and so much more - but unfortunately, Olsen made what could have been a great read into some sort of research heavy slog.

While I appreciate all the work that went into it, I have to say that all the detours into minor players' backgrounds and the many, many transcripts/news reports made this a difficult read.

That said, this book did make me aware of the crimes that took place at Starvation Heights, so I thank the publishers, Netgalley, and Olsen for introducing me to the topic!

An interesting read about Washington State's first serial killer, Linda Hazzard, aka "the starvation doctor. The book was a little slow, but all in all satisfied my addiction for true crime and sent me down a rabbit hole looking into the so called Dr's horrid past.

If you like true crime then you should give this a try. The writing is something I was not use to; but the story was fascinating. I like the intrigue.

Plot info: picture it 1911 two wealthy British heiresses, Claire and Dora Williamson, came to a sanitorium in the forests of the Pacific Northwest to undergo the revolutionary “fasting treatment” of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard. They were wasn’t not expecting what they went through. It was supposed to be a holiday for the two sisters. But within a month of arriving at what the locals called Starvation Heights, the women were emaciated shadows of their former selves, waiting for death.

Gregg Olsen always gives you immense insight into the story that just sends shivers up my spine. Great true story.

I knew this book looked familiar! I requested this book on NetGalley because I'm obsessed with true crime, and it sounded interesting and the story vaguely familiar. Going back in my archives, I'm realizing I read this book almost 20 years ago. I owned a physical copy and enjoyed it so much that I lent it to a friend (who never returned it!) Rereading it, my memory kicked in and I felt the same now as I did back then. Super interesting story about sisters and a sadistic 'wellness' program they attend. The first half of the book, detailing the ordeal itself, was more interesting than the latter half. However, overall, Gregg Olsen's story telling is great and hooks the reader. This reminder of his writing has made me more excited about reading his newest release: If You Tell.

💭Thoughts:
Wow! This is a very disturbing story. Prior to reading this book I was unfamiliar with who Dr. Linda Hazzard was. When I read the synopsis and learned Dr. Hazzard was a fasting doctor I had to learn more.

The first third of the book was really interesting learning about two of Dr. Hazard’s patients Claire and Dora Williamson and the techniques that were used in their fasting plan. The doctor’s methods included having her patient’s fast for as long as forty days to cure them of an assortment of ailments. As one can imagine, fasting for forty days leads to an untimely death for many of her patients.

The part I started to lose interest in was about the legal preceding for Dr. Hazzard as she faced potential murder charges in the death of some of her patients. It seemed redundant and really slowed the pace of the book. I would have rather learned more about Dr. Hazzard and her motivations and life before she became a doctor.

Overall, It’s a fascinating story and one I won’t soon forget. I recommend for those interested in true crime and the medical profession.

I do not read a large amount of non-fiction, but this was overall a good book. It was a little bit slow moving for me, but other than that, it was fine.

This book is a non-fiction, true crime masterpiece and Gregg Olsen tells this true story in a way that makes you as a reader want to read more and more surrounding this case.

Sometimes, I find true crime books can be a bit too long. A little bit too repetitive. But this wasn't like that at all. Every chapter told me something new and honestly, the end beggars belief.

This case is one that is highly disturbing yet riveting and unusual. Were the two sisters too naive? Or was the Doctor a sinister quack intent on taking the wealthy for all she could?

If you enjoy historical, true crime, non-fiction then this is a book for you; you won't regret the decision to venture into the darkness that is Starvation Heights.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have read a few other works by this author, but couldn't get into this one, I found it too slow and disjointed.

Starvation Heights
by Gregg Olsen
4 stars

Olsen has done it again. He has written a remarkably detailed book showcasing the horrors of Dr Linda Hazzard and her many crimes/murders. Prior to this book, I had not heard of this "Doctor" nor the horror of her "treatments".
Olsen has done a very deep dive into this womans life, her crimes and those of her patients. This is not a book I will soon forget.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review, from Netgalley and the publisher.

Possible spoilers

I'm not sure what's more shocking about this, that a so called doctor can starve a patient, or the willingness and sheer force of will of that patient to comply.

The first third of the book was definitely more interesting for me, seeing these rich, yet clueless women walk right into the trap , a cure all, when there wasn't that much to cure.
The treatment is shocking and barbaric, and the fact it happened again and again was scandalous.
At times the book repeats itself, and I found the trial a little slower paced.
An interesting read of a case I'd never even heard about.