The Purple Nightgown is a true crime novel like no other! It was so well-written that I was invested enough to be devising plans to help dear Stella out of her predicament. I felt all the feelings with her and I think I was in more despair than she was, at times!

All in all, this is a sad retelling of a true crime and that, right there, is what left the biggest impression on me while I was reading this novel.

Be warned… this book will keep you up all night!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have never read anything from this author but am familiar with the true colors series. This is an excellent series based on true crime but with factionalized characters.
Stella has been plagued with migraines and has tried just about everything to get rid of them. They are debilitating and keep her in bed some days unable to move. She reads a book by Dr. Hazzard who believes she has the cure. Stella arrives at the Dr’s clinic but what she finds is not at all what she expected. The patients are starved and given enemas. The people that run the clinic seem to have nefarious reasons for doing so. Can Stella figure out what is going on before it is too late for here, or will she starve to death first?
The character dynamics work so well that you honestly feel you are in the book with the. Fast paced and engrossing to the point that you will not want to put this one down. Absolutely a 5 out of 5 stars.



Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. This ebook is set in California. The description is fascinating. I enjoyed Stella and Henry's Characters. This book is in stores for $12.99 (USD).

Part of the 12 book, multi-author, true historical crime meets romance True Colors series from Barbour, The Purple Nightgown is author A.D. Lawrence’s debut. Entwined with a sweet cross-class romance between wealthy Stella Burke and her friend/chauffeur, Henry Clayton, is the horrific story of Dr. Linda Hazzard and her Ollala, Washington medical spa where she treated patients with a fasting regime that ended in starvation.

Stella is spoiled and perhaps not the smartest of heroines, which serves the story well as she remains with Dr. Hazzard even after witnessing horrific abuses and suffering from the harsh treatments herself. Or perhaps it is not that she isn’t bright, but that she is so desperate for a cure to her migraines that she is willfully blinded, for a time, by the hope that the promise of perfect health brings.

The crimes committed by the Hazzards are rightly depicted as brutal and horrific, and though written in a more graphic way than is to my taste, the author does a terrific job in bringing across a feeling of evil doings from start to finish.

While Stella is enduring through hope of rescue, Henry is finding his new unemployment leading towards the life he dreams of as he takes in three orphans. It is this storyline that lifts this book from the wickedness that pervades Stella’s experiences.

Being from Washington state added another layer of horror to my reading of this story, though I don’t recall ever having heard about Linda Hazzzard and her crimes. Well researched and with an uplifting storyline to help offset the darker aspects, this is quite a debut and A.D. Lawrence is definitely an author to have on your radar - and mine. Recommended.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

This has to be my favorite True Colors book that I have read so far. It was intriguing and suspenseful and left me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to put it down.

The crime itself was very interesting. I did not know anything about Linda Hazzard (or, as Henry has fondly dubbed her, Buzzard) or her sanitorium. What happened to the people there and what she did to them was horrific. I loved how it was called a “spa” when it was anything but.

I did feel bad for Sylvie. She was such a sweet character, although somewhat spoiled. But she suffered from terrible migraines and only wished for relief. She was desperate enough to even try Linda Hazzard’s fasting method and go to her sanitorium, but soon regretted it.

I loved Henry. He ultimately just wanted to protect Sylvie and see her get better.

Overall, I have been enjoying this series but especially this novel. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves suspense and true crime.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

I have really enjoyed the True Colors series, written by different authors and highlighting different true crimes. There is always going to be fictionalized parts to these stores, but it was entertaining, taught me something about history I didn’t know, and brought in a little romance as well. This was a good book and while it wasn’t steeped in history like some others, it was a nice, easy read that I enjoyed that broadened my view of things of our past. I enjoyed the characters, the author’s style, and the storyline.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

This wasn't for me. I wasn't captured by any of the characters and had a really hard time getting into it. Strangely, it did pique my curiosity about Linda Hazzard. My thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for a chance to read and review this ARC. A fantastic addition to the True Colors series. Well written plot with very good character dynamic. I highly recommend this book.

Another stunning book in this series. I'm fascinated by true crime, and this book was simply fantastic. Faith, salvation, God saving His people are all themes running through the story. I loved watching Stella grow, and her strength develop. With true crime, evil, suspense, hope, darkness, light, a bit of romance, and a well told story, this book was possibly the best so far in the series.

#BookReview: The Purple Nightgown by A. D. Lawrence 4 stars

Thrillers are not my usual genre. But I have read one from this series and I found myself hooked so I decided to pick this up too. The author is new to me and I like her writing style. The story was a bit creepy for me and has so many details that kept me on edge. Stella went through a lot. It's really sad these things happen. There will always be ups and downs in our lives to some degree and this book tells us to trust God to lead the way.

Thank you netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you love creepy true crime stories, you’re going to love this next addition to the True Colors series from Barbour!! Journey along with Stella as she desperately seeks relief from her relentless headaches. With a friends-to-more romance, mysterious happenings, and a longing to see Stella escape the clutches of evil, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, and awake way past your bedtime! I highly recommend A.D. Lawrence’s debut novel, The Purple Nightgown!!

I absolutely loved The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence!!!! The Purple Nightgown is part of the True Colors Series published by Barbour Publishing. The books in the True Colors Series are pieces of historical fiction based on true crimes that happened in days gone by,

Stella Burke is a wealthy heiress plagued by debilitating migraines who has tried everything under the sun to find healing to no avail. When Stella finds Linda Hazzard's "healing spa" in Washington state, she believes she has found the answer to all of her prayers. Stella finds out soon enough that the "healing spa" brings no healing at all, but is a place nightmares are made of.

Based on true events, The Purple Nightgown left me on the edge of my seat and scared at times (and that is rare for a book to do for me). I highly recommend this book for any mystery lover, especially if your looking for a great thrill or scare! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

This book is one I won't soon forget! I could relate to Stella's desperation; I, too, have suffered from migraines all my life. Interestingly, I have heard from a number of sources about fasting being a cure-all for many conditions—reading this book makes me wonder if the notion was originated by Linda Hazzard, or if she just popularized it and took it to an extreme? Anyway, I found the book very gripping—and I must warn you not to read it in the evening unless you can finish it before going to bed! I had reached the climax when I had to stop, and kept thinking about it through the night when I should have been asleep. If you enjoy stories of crimes, and mysteries, check this book out. It is horrifying, especially since it is based on a true story. I loved the romance woven through the story, too. Henry's care for Stella, and the way she came to admit her love for him, was delightful.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

This is an incredible historical fiction story based on true crime!

I loved the depth of the main character. She was struggling with a couple of things and at the beginning of the book I kept looking for a connection between them. I wanted to just help her find relief from the migraines she was experiencing. I was desperately trying to figure out the cause.

I liked the support that Stella had from Jane and Henry. They were each trying to help her in separate ways. But they both wanted to see her find relief too.

The plot of the story was heart wrenching. My heart broke for each of the people that went to Linda Hazzard’s sanatorium for healing. I couldn’t imagine the methods that she was using. Then added to that was finding out that this story was based on true crime. I can’t fathom someone treating other human beings that way. I was horrified by the story and yet I was captivated by it. I needed to see it through and find out the outcome for Stella, Henry, and Jane.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

The Purple Nightgown is the next in Barbour's True Colors series, wherein historical U.S. true crime and fiction merge to create some fascinating stories. The Purple Nightgown most definitely lives up to the standard set by series predecessors.

In The Purple Nightgown, we follow Stella, who is plagued daily by migraines so severe that she is often rendered incapable of daily life activities. She would do anything to get relief. Stella is thrilled to have a book by Dr. Linda Hazzard, whose alternative medicine practices are claimed to have healed many of a variety of illnesses. Dr. Hazzard's philosophy is that of eliminating toxins from the body by withholding food and using a series of toxin-eliminating practices. Stella is determined that Dr. Hazzard might be the one person who can cure her.

Other plot lines include Stella's relationship with her uncle, who is in charge of the family company until Stella turns 25, at which time she will take over. Stella's uncle is determined to find a suitable husband for Stella, yet Stella has feelings for a mysterious letter writer, as well as for a long time friend.

After going to Dr. Hazzard's facility, Stella discovers that things may not be quite as they seem.

The Purple Nightgown is a highly engaging read, full of plenty of suspense. When you factor in the fact that much of the suspenseful elements of this book are actually based on real life events, the creep factor is amped up even more!

While I'm not typically a romance reader, the romantic thread of this story is very well done and sweet.

Overall, The Purple Nightgown is a wonderfully suspenseful fictionalization of a horrific event in our nation's past, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks go to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found this story to be quiet interesting. It is based on the actual events at a health spa in the early 1900's that was owned by Linda Hazzard.
Stella is a patient who has terrible migraines that she is seeking relief from. At times, I had empathy for her. Other times, I wanted to shake her and tell her to wise up and use common sense.
Some may call it 'alternative medicine,' while many others will call it abuse.
Parts of this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. You may only want to read during the daytime, as there are things that are very disturbing and may keep you up at night.
I received a free advanced ecopy from the publisher, Barbour and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

The Purple Nightgown took me for an intriguing, suspense ride through history and into the depraved world of Linda Hazzard. A.D. Lawrence’s debut is a story beyond the pages of legends regarding the terrifying woman who promised healing to desperate patients. I couldn’t put the book down and easily recommend it. Combining the facts behind Linda Hazzard’s “practice” and the fictional tale of two people separated by social status, expectations, insecurities, and a binding love, The Purple Nightgown kept me captivated. I look forward to many more books by A.D. Lawrence.

Have you ever read a book where you’re mentally screaming at the main character that she’s making a stupid mistake? Yeah, that was pretty much me for Stella. I did understand where she’s coming from, as a chronically ill individual willing to take whatever step needed to get better. But starving yourself? I mentally shook Stella so many times then watched in horror as the realities of Dr. Hazzard were revealed.

This was such a creepy read! Good, but not for the faint of heart. And the fact that it is based on a true historical event makes it even worse! Only read it if you like suspense.

The romance was sweet and deep. Henry was great. Just what I like in a loyal friend.

The spiritual plot ebbed and flowed. There were Scriptures quoted in times of need and the characters did have a God-consciousness despite not always seeking His guidance. Or maybe that is me just being hard on Stella, because if she would have truly sought God in the first place, she wouldn’t have ended up where she was. But then, there also wouldn’t have been the story. ;)

I definitely will put A.D. Lawrence on my list to read again!

*I received this book from CelebrateLit and happily provided my honest review*

The Purple Nightgown is a book in Barbours True Colors true crime series.
This is a fascinating series based on true crime events. most I have heard of the cases a few I have not like thus one. I have read all of the books in this series and wouldn't want to miss one.
This is a case I had not heard of.
A older woman who is not by law a practicing doctor runs a health spa for the curing of many illnesses. Now according to her illness is caused by overeating and the wrong foods at that.
Now she was on the right track, the wrong foods do cause inflammation in the body which causes diseases but she went about it in the wrong way to cure them.
She had people stay at her health spa and she treated them by starvation,enemas,etc.
This treatment caused weakness leading to death in some of her patients.
Why did she starve her patients to death? I suggest you read The Purple Nightgown to find out. Fascinating book and I did look up information on this case and it was exactly as portrayed in the book.

Pub Date 01 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Purple Nightgown is a novel based on the true crimes of Linda Hazzard also known as the 'Starvation Doctor'. Stella Burke is plagued with intense migraines and no cures seem to be working. As a last ditch attempt, she goes to the wilderness hospital retreat run by Dr Linda Hazzard and her family and ends up uncovering some dark secrets.

This book was pretty enjoyable but nothing too special in my opinion. I did enjoy it but it was never 'couldn't put down' levels of exciting but after finding out that this was based off a true story I am much more interested in the storyline of the crime. I'm not sure I enjoyed the addition of the romance into what was essentially a retelling of a really serious and disgusting scenario that happened. It just seems to be a bit... insensitive (?) when real people have suffered in this scenario to be putting some wishy washy romance to spice things up (and this is coming from a romance lover!).

2/5 stars. Decent book but I don't think you should mix true crime and fictional romance. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this copy to review.