Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest

by Gregg Olsen

Book Overview

In this true story--a haunting saga of medical murder set in an era of steamships and gaslights--Gregg Olsen reveals one of the most unusual and disturbing criminal cases in American history. In 1911 two wealthy British heiresses, Claire and Dora Williamson, arrived at a sanitorium in the forests of the Pacific Northwest to undergo the revolutionary "fasting treatment" of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard. It was supposed to be a holiday for the two sisters,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400097460
• ISBN13: 9781400097463
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 419 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Starvation Heights

I'm excited to read this book. I've heard of the case before, and hoping this book will help me learn a lot more about what happened.

Pay me a lot of money and I will starve you to death

First: I like Greg Olsen; he's one of my favorite true crime writers. Two sisters with lots of money and not much to do decide that their vague illnesses can be cured by a remarkable new treatment at a gorgeous new clinic up in the mountains. The treatment is overseen by Satan in female form and involves total starvation. Sounds like a winner, huh? The two sisters pay a lot of money to go to this "clinic" and be starved to death. Unfortunately, one starves to death. Who knew? Read this book if only to get an insight into what normally rational people will buy.

STARVED TO DEATH...

This well-crafted book is a fine example of investigative reporting at its best. Taking events from nearly a hundred years ago, the author makes the story come alive for readers of today. Those who like the true crime genre will especially enjoy this book about a bizarre murder. In Olalla, Washington, in 1911, Claire and Dora Williamson, two wealthy British sisters on holiday in the United States, were bamboozled by a Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard, who sold them on the idea of fasting as a cure for their minor ailments. The two sisters enthusiastically adopted the doctor's solution, and therein the groundwork was laid for the tragic events that were to unfold. Although Claire was more gung-ho than Dora on the idea of fasting as a way to better health, where one sister led, the other was sure to follow, as they were so close. The sisters underwent the doctor's restrictive dietary regimen, becoming wraiths of their former selves in the process, and the treatments that they received at the hands of the doctor were brutal. Trapped and isolated in the doctor's sanitarium, which was located in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, the sisters were at the mercy of the doctor. Although a secret cry for help was sent to a faithful family retainer, for one of the sisters help would arrive too late. The author describes the efforts that were made to bring this so-called doctor to justice. It was interesting to discover that the doctor had no medical training but was licensed by the state of Washington to practice as an osteopath. Moreover, so skeletal would her patients become that the local yokels would refer to the doctor's sanitarium as "Starvation Heights". It is little wonder that a number of the patients died, usually the wealthy ones. So, the sisters were not the only victims of this "doctor's" hubris, chutzpah, and greed. It would be the surviving sister, however, who would ensure that this did not happen to anyone else, ever again. The book is certainly well-researched, and the author paints a compelling picture of a bygone era and the pure quackery that passed as medical know-how. He also paints vivid portraits of those who were to play a part in the rise and fall of Linda Burfield Hazzard. Those readers who are interested in the true crime genre will find themselves compulsively turning the pages of this well-written book.

STARVED TO DEATH...

This well-crafted book is a fine example of investigative reporting at its best. Taking events from nearly a hundred years ago, the author makes the story come alive for readers of today. Those who like the true crime genre will especially enjoy this book about a bizarre murder. In Olalla, Washington, in 1911, Claire and Dora Williamson, two wealthy British sisters on holiday in the United States, were bamboozled by a Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard, who sold them on the idea of fasting as a cure for their minor ailments. The two sisters enthusiastically adopted the doctor's solution, and therein the groundwork was laid for the tragic events that were to unfold. Although Claire was more gung-ho than Dora on the idea of fasting as a way to better health, where one sister led, the other was sure to follow, as they were so close. The sisters underwent the doctor's restrictive dietary regimen, becoming wraiths of their former selves in the process, and the treatments that they received at the hands of the doctor were brutal. Trapped and isolated in the doctor's sanitarium, which was located in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, the sisters were at the mercy of the doctor. Although a secret cry for help was sent to a faithful family retainer, for one of the sisters help would arrive too late. The author describes the efforts that were made to bring this so-called doctor to justice. It was interesting to discover that the doctor had no medical training but was licensed by the state of Washington to practice as an osteopath. Moreover, so skeletal would her patients become that the local yokels would refer to the doctor's sanitarium as "Starvation Heights". It is little wonder that a number of the patients died, usually the wealthy ones. So, the sisters were not the only victims of this "doctor's" hubris, chutzpah, and greed. It would be the surviving sister, however, who would ensure that this did not happen to anyone else, ever again. The book is certainly well-researched, and the author paints a compelling picture of a bygone era and the pure quackery that passed as medical know-how. He also paints vivid portraits of those who were to play a part in the rise and fall of Linda Burfield Hazzard. Those readers who are interested in the true crime genre will find themselves compulsively turning the pages of this well-written book.

Mesmerizing

This true crime is not your usual blood and gore but the detailed lives of two sisters caught in a web of lies, deceit and murder. The author makes all of the principal characters interesting and compelling and I felt that I was there rooting for the good guys to win. Absolutely wonderful, terrific read, can't put it down. Totally compelling. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be quiet for a few days.

Creepy story!

Sorry Vicki, I didn't mean it. Real life is more horrifying then fiction, and this story is proof of it.

Thrilling Read!

This book is a tremendous mix of true crime and history. The story of Dr. Hazzard is surreal - it's hard to believe that the events in this book actually occurred. The book is well-written and fast-paced - I finished it in 2 days!