Milton L. (cbd) reviewed on 5/16/2012 + 2 more book reviews

Starvation Heights is a well documented and engaging historical narrative of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard's exploits as an osteopathic woman physician in the early 20th century.
She started her practice of purging the body of illness through starvation which resulted in the death of many of her patients. Her dominant personality and charismatic charms allowed her to win many converts to her controversial treatments. For her efforts she rewarded herself by having her patients make her the beneficiary of their estates.

The author, Gregg Olson, was inspired to write this story after moving to the site of her Sanitorium in Puget Sound. Using court documents, letters, and archival documents from sources in New Zealand, Great Britain, and Washington, Mr. Olson weaved a narrative which read like a contemporary expose on graft, duplicity, and murder. Situated in the formative days of Washington state, the reader is exposed to the politics, people, and country of the that time.

An exciting read in which a true tale can be as suspenseful as a fictional murder mystery.

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