Definitely dark and disturbing, unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I got through 50% and couldn’t read anymore. Even though this is true crime it was slow going for me and drawn out. I’m sure this book will be great for someone, just not for me!

This book was one of the most disturbing books I have ever read! I had a hard time, because it was so sad and horrible. Those poor people. The book was well written and I would give it 5 stars for that, but to recommend it to people is hard. This was not a book for light reading. I will be haunted by it for years!

Gregg Olsen is absolutely brilliant writer. He is an auto buy for me and was thrilled to read/review this book. It was very well written and interesting. I can not wait for more.

If you have not read anything by this author I highly recommend. His true crime writing is fantastic. As well as his fiction.

Thanks for allowing me to read this ARC!

It's so hard to believe but you know it's true. I enjoyed being shocked with this book. How could it happen and no one did anything until it was too late. It's so disturbing to continue reading but yet I couldn't put it down. How could 2 very well to do sisters become so gullible. And to find out so many more did it too. Gregg Olsen did a super job on writing. I will go back and read some more of his books.

I’m sorry to say I was not a fan of this book, far too long and winding while all the while going nowhere. The happenings at Starvation Heights are detailed in the initial fifth of this book while the remaining long and arduous chapters talk about a court case that is straight forward and wearisome. There are no surprises or twists, little in the way of excitement or intrigue. This book was a page turner if only to get it finished so I could move on to something else.

This really could be an interesting story but I only made it 40% of the way thru before I had to give up.

The story is based off of sisters that go see a "fasting specialist" and the circumstances around the doctors sanitarium.

I love Gregg Olsen but this book was not for me. There was alot of information added into this book that I think could have veen left out to keep my attention. Some things that were brought up didn't make sense to the story. I'm sure it would have come together if I had been able to stay with it but I couldn't.

This is a historical fiction novel about the "doctor" who established a sanitarium that basically starved young women many who where wealthy to death. This book isn't for everyone. But it does bring to life a part of US history that it overlooked in novel formant.

I would give Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. It is a story of a women serial killer in the time before the term was coined and makes you question whether or not you can trust your “doctor.” The book is a fascinating take on natural health and fasting plans that have been circulating around the world and the us for decades as well as a bit of unknown American history set in the beautiful pacific northwest Gregg Olsen spins a tale of intrigue, deceit, greed and mystery at “Starvation Heights.” It is a must read for any true crime or history buff.

Olsen writes about some of the most disturbing crimes and this story about a woman who claims she can cure people through fasting was fascinating, creepy, and even shocking at times. The way people just blindly followed her instructions was cult-like.

I googled all sorts of things after finishing this one because I wanted pictures about the doctor and the victims. So bizarre, but such a great read.

Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest is a gripping true story about Claire and Dora Williamson, and the sinister "doctor" Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard (not a doctor) and her unorthodox fasting technique that she claimed could heal anything that ails you. She had disturbing techniques- fasting (starving), hours long enemas, and vigorous massages. The locals called it Starvation Heights, as they knew about the fasting and the emaciated 'patients' of Dr. Hazzard.

Gregg Olsen brings the horrors of this case of medical murder to life. A woman who is licensed by the state of Washington as a fasting specialist who preyed on the wealthy looking for cures for their illnesses. How she stole their belongings and in their weakened states signed everything over to her and her husband. Even when charged and during her court case, she stood proud, arrogant, and only showed anxiety when things looked dire for her.

Dora and Claire were not her first victims nor her last. This is a harrowing tale of one in power and how she mistreated and deceived those who trusted her. I found this true story to be fascinating. Dore and Claire were interested in/fans of alternative medicine. There were those who claimed Dr. Hazzard healed them, there were those she killed. I was fascinated by those who didn't feel what she was doing was wrong and how others still came to her to be cured after what she was doing became known.

Fascinating and gripping, this was another riveting book by Olsen.

Dark, Disturbing True Crime…
A dark and disturbing tale indeed as this author explores the intricacies of another true crime in usual carefully constructed fashion. The tale of Doctor Linda Burfield Hazzard and her never before encountered fasting treatment drew the wealthy from far and wide to the sanitarium known as Starvation Heights. When two well off British ladies arrive for their treatments, shocking and distressing events are all too soon about to unfold. A detailed and informative account of a chilling and mind blowing crime.

I really struggled reading this, it was a non fiction book but was written as a story? I don't understamd how the 'conversation' were written in when the author wouldn't have known what they were? I think it was probably a really good book for someone out there, but as with American Mother, this one is just not for me.

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, but within a month of arriving at what the locals called Starvation Heights, the women underwent brutal treatments and were emaciated shadows of their former selves.
Claire and Dora were not the first victims of Linda Hazzard, a quack doctor of extraordinary evil and greed. But as their jewelry disappeared and forged bank drafts began transferring their wealth to Hazzard's accounts, the sisters came to learn that Hazzard would stop at nothing short of murder to achieve her ambitions.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank you NetGalley and Thread Books
I just reviewed Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen. #StarvationHeights #NetGalley

Unfortunately I really struggled with this book. It’s based on a true story but it’s written like fiction. I really struggled because I wanted to know the facts and details about what happened, but I feel like I’m reading a story. I’m sure people will like this book, but unfortunately it’s just not for me.

I absolutely loved this! It was so disturbing and fascinating, and shocking because it was true! As someone with chronic health issues I am fed all kinds of information and when you are grasping at straws, desperate for something to fix you, I can definitely see why some of those people were drawn to Dr. Linda Hazzard. Her solution to any ailment was fasting and she took it to the extreme.

In 1911 two wealthy, British women Claire and Dora Williamson eagerly arrived at the compound of Dr. Linda Hazzard in the forest of Olalla, Washington to begin Dr. Hazzard’s unique fasting treatment.

It was supposed to be a vacation for the sisters however, within a few months at what became known as “Starvation Heights”, the sisters became emaciated and subjected to brutal, evasive procedures.

Dr.Linda Hazzard’s methods were severely questioned and the doctors would become known as a convicted serial killer.

Starvation Heights is available January 19,2023.

Thank you to netgalley and threadbooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you like watching poorly written Netflix shows/movies then this title is for you! If not then I suggest moving along. This book was soooooo slow!!!! Gregg Olsen’s writing is usually very good but this book was so poorly written!

Gregg Olsen knows how to tell a blistering good tale of a horrific crime in the early 1900’s.

Dr. Linda Hazzard wanted to build a renowned sanitarium promising new, cutting edge treatments for medical conditions through the application of starvation therapy. When two wealthy socialite sisters succumb to her promises, they enter into a torture no human should ever endure. They are starved and “flushed” until they are skeletal wisps of their former selves and even on one’s death bed, still clinging to the hope of remedy from Dr. Hazzard and her wildly unconventional treatments. She takes utter control of the sisters lives and finances, wreaking havoc without regard to her patients health and safety.

This is a mind boggling true crime novel of a “doctor” gone rogue and her eventual conviction of being a serial killer in a town where people knew of the death and destruction, yet no one said or did anything to help. Olsen brings you to the edge of insanity by showing just how deep and crazy this medical malpractice went.

This is a definite winner for fans of true crime, mystery and thrillers and one I will be reflecting on for a long time.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, #ThreadBooks and the acutely talented #GreggOlsen for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

My full review will be available on all my social media platforms, blog sites, and retail on release day.

Starvation Heights is an interesting albeit horrifying story about Linda Hazzard and how she treated two wealthy sisters with a fasting therapy, ultimately leading to the death of one of the sisters.

Though I found the first few chapters of the book quite engrossing, I quickly lost interest especially when it came to the court case and various lengthy quotations. I can’t help but feel that the book could have been better organised.

3 stars from me.

I usually only review psychological thrillers, but when I saw the title of this book and the description, I knew I had to ask to review it, and I was so glad when I was accepted.

I really enjoyed this, a wonderful true crime read.

Gregg Olsen has written some of my favorite true crime in the past. Despite that, this book didn't quite meet my expectations. I think the story of the Williamson sisters is a very interesting and cautionary tale about trusting the wrong people, and I agree that Linda Hazzard was a heinous murderer, but the book didn't hold my interest. I did finish the book and I found parts to be intriguing, but I found this to be more dry and repetitive than what I am used to from Olsen's other work.

Thanks so much to Thread Books as well as NetGalley for and advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.