Marvel at true but forgotten history when patients check into Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912 and soon become victim of her twisted greed.
Book 10 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Heiress Stella Burke is plagued by insincere suitors and nonstop headaches. Exhausting all other medical aides for her migraines, Stella reads Fasting for the Cure of Disease by Linda Hazzard and determines to go to the spa the author runs. Stella’s chauffer and long-time friend, Henry Clayton, is reluctant to leave her at the spa. Something doesn’t feel right to him, still Stella submits herself into Linda Hazzard’s care. Stella soon learns the spa has a dark side and Linda a mean streak. But when Stella has had enough, all ways to leave are suddenly blocked. Will Stella become a walking skeleton like many of the other patients or succumb to a worse fate?



My Thoughts: This is such a wonderful read. It is full of suspense, it is full of love. This is a story that will grip the readers' hearts. Can a rich heiress fall in love with her best friend from childhood? Will she ever find relief from the pain? Stella is just an average girl who suffers from migraines. Anyone who has suffered through one can understand her plight. Henry only cares for Stella and would do anything to see her better. This is a story of learning to lean on God no matter what. We should follow God and lean on Him. The fact that this is a true-crime mystery, will keep the reader thinking, could this really happen? The answer is yes.

This is a must-read for those who love a good mystery. Well written and hard to put down, this is one you will not want to pass up.

Lawrence’s debut as part of the True Colors true crimes series is a great beginning and I an sure she will go on to awards for her writings. I have read and reviewed all of the True Colors Crime novels and they were all exceptional. All on based on true happenings and persons who committed the crimes. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This book is based on Linda Laura Hazzard, who was nicknamed the ” Starvation Doctor ” She was an American quack, fraud, swindler and serial killer noted for her promotion of fasting as a treatment. So literally she starved her patients to death and in this book, sometimes she hastened their death if they were slow to die or tried to leave the facility. The main character Stella Burke was fictional, but what an interesting story the author created about her and her migraine headaches. You will find yourself turning pages on into the night. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this informative and interesting book. I am happy to leave a review.

A chilling mystery. The story is filled with intrigue and suspense. Hard to put this one down. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This book was so engaging that I had to read it in one sitting! I was so caught up in this story and the way my mind was working I thought I had it figured out but didn’t. It is so unbelievable that stuff like this went on but I know it did. I believe this is my first book by this author and I am very interested in reading more.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I really appreciate this series, drawing my attention to unusual and generally forgotten crimes in the past. I was particularly interested in this one as it centers on events in my native Washington State.

The novel is mostly an exploration of the kind of person who would have been attracted to Linda Hazzard's clinic. She claimed all ills could be cured by fasting and people desperate for better health were attracted to her false promises. They were people taken in by a promise that should have seemed too good to be true. Much of the novel is the thinking of Stella, why she agreed to stay, what was going on, how could she escape, etc. It showed the anxiety a person felt being mistreated with no possibility of escape. There is also much thinking by Henry. I have to admit, I skimmed much of those thoughts, anxious to get to the next scene of action.

A weakness of the novel was the setting. It was not until 11% into the book I found out the opening was set in San Francisco. I was a bit confused up to that point, knowing the novel was supposed to be set in Washington. And I was a bit disappointed in the Washington setting. Knowing the location of Olalla on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, I was surprised Lawrence wrote of the ocean a mile to the west. (923/3134) The Pacific Ocean is a good 50 to 60 miles to the west!

I also had a bit of a problem with an aspect of the plot concerning the ability to escape Hazzard's spa. Stella walked into Olalla, as did at least one other patient. Stella could have asked for sanctuary from the store owner she talked to yet did not. That just seemed a bit strange.

I do appreciate being informed about this interesting event from the past. Except for the issues I noted, this book is a good one for readers wanting to explore the thoughts and emotions of a person held captive in a dire situation.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This was one of my favorite books in this series. I loved Henry and really liked Stella once she figured out that she was being a selfish brat at times. It is hard to understand that people can say they have a cure for something and others will believe them no matter what because they are hurting. I do not know how anyone can believe that starving will cure anything. This made me cry and cringe in many places. I loved the descriptions of the walking skeletons the best. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Stella struggles with her migraines, a malady many people can relate to nowadays. However, when this book was set, there were no medicines or treatments that were adequate. The Purple Nightgown is another entry in the True Colors Series by Barbour Books, which are Christian fiction that uses true crime stories as a jumping off point.

This entry is engrossing, sad and affecting. You feel for the characters who are just trying to survive a life with chronic pain, those that love them seeking remedies and, unfortunately, doctors who take advantage of their patients. These books are not easy reads, but if you like stories that expand on true crime and also reveal the power we have to overcome such things in life, the True Colors Series is for you.

I was an early reader, thanks to #NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.

This debut author took on quite the challenge to write about this creepy crime from the past. There was a great balance with being informative of the crime, without going over board with the details and ending into gruesome. I really could not believe that this was real, or that some people will be so desperate/gullible/naïve to go through this treatments.

Even though there was a few events happening during the story, the actual suspense was only experienced in the last 20% of the story. I did find some parts a bit too slow for my liking but the ultimate climax was really fast paced.

I struggled a bit to connect with the main characters. Henry started out as a strong character, and though he was compassionate (with the orphans), I felt he was a bit too passive at time. Stella border lined on spoiled and arrogant and came across very naïve and way too trusting. Probably to show the reader what type of person would have fall for Dr Hazzard schemes.

I'm enjoying this series and this author definitely shows a lot of potential and should be on the watchlist for fans of Historical Mysteries.

This debut author definitely wrote about a true crime that totally creeped me out. It's 1911 and young Stella Burke has been fight debilitating migraine headaches for some time totally crippling her from enjoying life. When she reads a book, " Fasting for the Cure of Disease" by Linda Hazzard, Stella is sure she has found the answer to stopping the headaches. Little does she know that she may pay a high penalty for pursuing this cure.

Alhough Hazzard's cure absolutely disgusted me, once you start reading you can't stop as you follow the trials and painful cures that the patients at the clinic were enduring. I was totally stymied by how anyone could submit to them, yet Hazzard had her own way of making sure the patients didn't leave. I also couldn't believe that the town's citizens who caught an occasional glimpse of the patients hadn't reported that something was wrong at the clinic. The account of this horrible clinic is both chilling and disturbing. Stella's kindness to the other patients while enduring her unimaginable treatment was beautiful, and Henry was a perfect hero as he tried to find out what was happening and gain access to Stella.

Great job by this debut author of bringing to life a despicable crime that Linda Hazzard, in the end, received very little punishment for.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Heiress Stella Burke has suffered for several years from debilitating migraines, and is willing to try almost anything in hopes of finding relief. Her chauffer and loyal childhood friend, Henry Clayton, is willing to help her in any way he can. Despite their differences in social station, Henry respects and cares for Stella like no one else.

In her quest for relief from her headaches, Stella begins reading a book about fasting as a cure for various ailments, and decides she will visit author Linda Hazzard's clinic. Henry is sure something is wrong with Hazzard's ideas, and has a very bad feeling about Stella going to the spa. Stella breaks her promise to listen to Henry's opinion and checks into the spa, but soon wonders if she's made a mistake. She meets other patients who are dangerously thin and weak, and as she is subjected to strict fasting and painful 'massage therapy' she regrets her headstrong decision and tries to contact Henry to come get her. Is he angry and ignoring her, or are her messages even getting to him? Stella must get away from the place nicknamed Starvation Heights, but how can she escape when she is so weak and her caregivers are really her captors?

Henry's kindness, loyalty, and patience with Stella are heartwarming; and it's easy to sympathize with Stella's desperate willingness to try anything to stop the agony of her headaches. There's the suspense of the relationship between Henry and Stella, wondering if she'll realize her love for him before it's too late; as well as the suspense of his race to rescue her once he understands the seriousness of her situation. The story is well-paced and very well-written.

It's hard to believe that someone like Linda Hazzard was able to get away with the abuses of her fasting regimen, and chilling to realize that this part of the tale is true. Linda Hazzard was very real, and her quack starvation therapy claimed quite a few victims - while she claimed their wealth.

If you like historical mysteries or suspense with happy endings, this series is highly recommended., and this title is an excellent addition to the series!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.*

True crime + romance meet once again in this fantastic book in this tenth book in the True Colors series. This is a series of romantic fiction stories combined with true crime stories written by a variety of authors. Each story is written about a different true crime, and as such they are all stand alone.

The Purple Nightgown takes on Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912. In this book, we meet Stella Burke who after suffering from migraines with no relief in sight decides to look into some untraditional methods... particularly Linda Hazzard's extreme fasting methods. When she checks into her clinic despite the protests of her best friend Henry Clayton, she soon discovers that there is something more sinister going on.

I was drawn to this particular story as a sufferer of chronic migraines myself. I certainly understand how this could drive Stella to some rather extreme methods in an attempt to get some relief. It made it easier to put myself in her shoes and made the story that followed all the more creepy... in the best way possible, of course! I was fascinated by the story and knowing that while Stella was fictional, Linda Hazzard was not made it all the more compelling. If you enjoy true crime stories with a dash of romance tossed it, this is certainly one worth checking out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

The Purple Nightgown
by A. D. Lawrence
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Fiction
Christian | True Crime
Pub Date 01 Mar 2021



I am reviewing a copy of The Purple Nightgown through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:



When patients check into Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912 they quickly become victims of her twisted greed, and many die at the hands of this twisted woman.




Stella Burke is a heiress who is plagued by suitors who are anything but sincere, as well as nonstop headaches. Out of all other medical ideas for her migraines Stella reads Fasting for the Cure of Disease by Linda Hazzard and determines to go to the spa the author runs.




It is Stella’s chauffer and long-time friend, Henry Clayton, is reluctant to leave her at the spa. Something doesn’t feel right to him, still Stella submits herself into Linda Hazzard’s care. Unfortunately it isn’t long before Stella learns of the clinics dark side and the fact that Linda has a mean streak.





When Stella has had enough with Linda’s cruel methods she tries to leave, but all ways she finds are suddenly blocked.



Will Stella become a walking skeleton like many of the other patients or succumb to a worse fate?



I Give The Purple Nightgown five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

The Purple Nightgown is a very well-written historical crime book. A. D. Lawrence with her craft has the reader pulled into the world that her characters inhabit. It's easy to understand Stella being a bit of a snob at the start of the book. Her transformation throughout the story has her become a truly likable character, and Henry is always a great guy. The story is told in such a way that it's like a movie in your mind. I could easily seeing it being made into an actual one. The plot itself is chilling. I recommend this book to suspense readers, clean romance readers, true crime aficionados, and Christian fiction readers. I have enjoyed all of the books that I've had the opportunity to read in the True Colors series and hope that there are more in the pipeline. I would definitely read more from this author as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. My review is my opinion of this exciting book.

Truth is often stranger than fiction, and such is the history that inspired The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence. This true-crime-inspired novel is based on the life of Linda Hazzard, nicknamed the Starvation Doctor.

In the early 1900s she promoted extreme fasting as a cure for a wide range of painful physical ailments even though she had no medical degree. She documented her unorthodox treatments in books that she heavily advertised and created a "sanitarium" in rural Washington State where they were administered.

While isolated from family and friends, Ms. Hazzard's patients were subjected to severe fasting, hours-long "internal baths" (extreme enemas), and "massages" that were actual violent beatings. When patients were no longer able to think properly due to physical abuse, they were pressured to sign documents giving Hazzard control over their health decisions and financial assets. During her "career" nearly 20 deaths were attributed to Linda Hazzard and her cruel practices.

These events are more powerful when fictionalized because I could empathize with main character Marvel who suffers from debilitating migraines, and begin to understand the motivation of actual patients in pursuit of relief via drastic treatments. Since this is a Christian fiction title, I appreciated the themes of faith and hope woven into this dark and ominous plot. There's even a romance subplot that was sweet and had me cheering on hero Henry but concluded too "happily ever after" to be believable for the time period.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I commend Barbour for continuing to push the envelope in Christian fiction by publishing these historical novels based on true crimes.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Release date March 1, 2021.***

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The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence is the most recent installment in the "True Colors" books series. This story was a bit unique for me in that I had recently read up a bit about Linda Hazzard and her spa where she "treated" patients through starvation. Part of me is surprised to the extremes that people will go to for treatment of ailments...at the same time, I also wonder that if I were constantly suffering something like major daily migraines, I would probably try just about anything that may offer relief (even with today's medicine).

As always, looking forward to the next installment :)

Based on a true crime committed, AD Lawrence explores how many were tricked into Dr. Hazzard's methods. Although Dr. Hazzard is a true person, most others in the story were fictional. Stella Burke has been looking for a cure for her migraines all of her life. Without any other answers, Stella is dropped off by her reluctant chauffer Henry. As Stella explores this cure, she finds herself in a dark place. Will she be able to escape before it is too late?

I found this book to be very interesting. I had heard of Dr. Hazzard before briefly but taking a longer look at her makes one wonder how people were so gullible. Of course, back in those days medicine and science were not as advanced. I really enjoyed this book and plan to explore other books in this series. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

True crime stories, like the one that this story is based on, can be, and often are, more horrifying than made-up tales of horror. In an effort to stop her migraine headaches, the fictional character of Stella Burke checked into Wilderness Heights, the clinic of the real character of Linda Hazzard. Dr. Hazzard promised perfect health through fasting. Her methods and motives proved to be much more sinister. A. D. Lawrence's book based on the proven and the suspicioned acts of Dr. Hazzard leave readers unsettled to say the least. Fans of thrillers will not be disappointed. Those easily disturbed will need to follow this book with something lighthearted. Neither will walk away unaffected.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Purple Nightgown, the latest book in Barbour Publishing's True Colors series, from the publisher via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Purple Nightgown by A. D. Lawrence
What a great addition to the True Colors series. This whole series is about crimes that happened throughout history. The True colors books are all stand alone.

The Purple Nightgown is a gripping, suspenseful and genuine. A.D. Lawrence was able to bring me into the story from the first page. The Purple Nightgown was a page-turner and the characters were very likeable, except a few. I fell in love with Henry and Stella and their connection from the beginning. I just loved this book and would gladly recommend to family and friends through review's on book bud, Amazon, Goodreads and social media. This book is a five out of five stars.

I received this book from publisher through net galley. All thought and a opinions are my and my alone.

Historical fiction based on a true crime. Well researched detail and a faith thread of hope that kept me engaged and invested in the outcome, wondering how the heroine would save herself from such evil. True crime, mixed with romance made for a great historical fiction story.

I’ve read most of the True Colors Crime series and I can tell you that this one gripped me the most. I found I could not put it down – it’s fast-paced, laced with some gruesomeness and so shocking that this could have really happened in the early 1900’s. It’s the story of one woman’s desperate attempt to be cured of her horrific migraines by the “miracle doctor” Linda Hazzard in her remote clinic.

It’s quite evident that the author put a great deal of research into this book, and although a fictional retelling, some of the story’s characters were actually real people. I especially loved Jane and Henry and their undying devotion to Stella.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.