Take a photo of a barcode or cover
lavanda4 's review for:
Starvation Heights is dark, disturbing and compelling but what makes it especially disconcerting is that real people were involved. The sanitarium in Olalla, Washington which housed patients of Dr. Linda Hazzard and her husband over a hundred years ago burned to the ground several years ago, taking with it evidence and memories. Everyone involved then is dead. Now it is the stuff of legends and mystery. Drawing from copious research including photos, author Gregg Olson brings this heinous story to life, one which I did not know existed. I thank him for that.
British heiress sisters Claire and Dora Williamson were so close that they decided not to marry as they did not wish anything to become a thorn in their relationship. They were open to improving their health and could not resist the thought of "fasting for the cure of disease" to rid their minds and bodies completely of anything detrimental. After journeying to America they were fed lie after lie and manipulated like crazy. But the sisters were so keen to begin treatment they overlooked what should have been red flags. Their trust in Dr. Hazzard did not waver and only grew. She was kind (!), motherly and perceived as trustworthy but her husband was not. The sisters began treatment immediately and it became apparent the cure was not helping but worsening. Still, they stuck to the daily internal baths, pummelling and tomato broth as they were hopeful for their futures. Interestingly, Dr. Hazzard's patients were all wealthy. Wonder why?
Patients began dying and signed their financial lives away to the Hazzards. Some realized the trouble they were in, others were resigned. But all suffered slowly at the hands of this detestable couple who serial killed patients under their care, mentally and physically, under terrible pretenses and brainwashing. I like that the author includes what happened to the patients, especially the sisters, and the Hazzards in the criminal investigation and deaths.
If True Crime intrigues you, do not miss this book. Details can be difficult to read...this is a true story...but it is an important one. The more I learn about such stories the more I wish to learn.
My sincere thank you to Thread Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this stellar book.
British heiress sisters Claire and Dora Williamson were so close that they decided not to marry as they did not wish anything to become a thorn in their relationship. They were open to improving their health and could not resist the thought of "fasting for the cure of disease" to rid their minds and bodies completely of anything detrimental. After journeying to America they were fed lie after lie and manipulated like crazy. But the sisters were so keen to begin treatment they overlooked what should have been red flags. Their trust in Dr. Hazzard did not waver and only grew. She was kind (!), motherly and perceived as trustworthy but her husband was not. The sisters began treatment immediately and it became apparent the cure was not helping but worsening. Still, they stuck to the daily internal baths, pummelling and tomato broth as they were hopeful for their futures. Interestingly, Dr. Hazzard's patients were all wealthy. Wonder why?
Patients began dying and signed their financial lives away to the Hazzards. Some realized the trouble they were in, others were resigned. But all suffered slowly at the hands of this detestable couple who serial killed patients under their care, mentally and physically, under terrible pretenses and brainwashing. I like that the author includes what happened to the patients, especially the sisters, and the Hazzards in the criminal investigation and deaths.
If True Crime intrigues you, do not miss this book. Details can be difficult to read...this is a true story...but it is an important one. The more I learn about such stories the more I wish to learn.
My sincere thank you to Thread Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this stellar book.