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  • Starvation Heights

  • Dangerous Women: True Crime Stories
  • By: Gregg Olsen
  • Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
  • Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

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Starvation Heights

By: Gregg Olsen
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
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Summary

The shocking true-crime story of two orphaned sisters who arrived at a health retreat as patients – but only one would ever make it out alive… An extraordinary and gripping account of the starvation doctor from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell.

In 1911 two British heiresses, Claire and Dora Williamson, read a brochure about a revolutionary fasting treatment that promised a lifetime of good health. The sanatorium in the village of Olalla, west of Seattle, was surrounded by a beautiful forest, sparkling waters and fresh air. The sisters agreed it sounded perfect and exactly the restorative holiday they needed.

But within a month of arriving, under the supervision of Doctor Linda Burfield Hazzard, Claire and Dora began to realise the frightening truth – they were not patients but prisoners at the isolated sanitorium.

Starved and on the edge of death, the sisters made several desperate attempts to escape. But only one would ever make it out alive.

Chilling and harrowing, Starvation Heights is a story of two vulnerable sisters, and how they were manipulated by a cunning and dangerous doctor into believing that her monstrous treatments would ‘cure’ them. Will totally hook fans of The Five and The Devil in the White City.

©2005, 2012, 2023 Gregg Olsen (P)2023 Thread, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Critic reviews

“A fascinating turn-of-the-century story of medical malpractice and murder. If you liked The Alienist, you'll find Starvation Heights all the more gripping because this story is true.” (Michael Connelly)

“An engrossing and compelling look at a shocking crime in another era. Olsen’s deft touch takes us back to the early 1900s so cleverly that reading Starvation Heights is akin to stepping into a time machine.” (Ann Rule)

What listeners say about Starvation Heights

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Fascinating and disturbing

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio. Exceptionally well written if a tad long. I love Greg Olson books. The narrator was an absolute joy to listen to. This always makes the listen much easier regarding overall enjoyment. I had never heard of this horrid story or of Linda Hazzard before. She was delusional and totally in deniel in her unbearable cruelty and death by starvation to her patients. She should have been given a much longer prison sentence. I find it baffling and insane regarding her pardon years later. She was a cold and wicked person, not to mention stealing and forgery. It made me angry, although this happened a very long time ago. A terrifically well researched book by Mr Olson. I highly recommend it.

Review by Jacinta, an Audible member and fan.

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  • Colleen T. Mizeres
  • 26-01-23

Excellent true crime story!

Gregg Olsen does it again!
Unlike any other nonfiction book I have listened to. Shocking and disturbing, to say the least!

3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Andrea S.
  • 25-02-23

What a story!

The story was very interesting and intriguing. The narrator was very good. The combination made for an amazing book.

1 person found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • COGirlforLife
  • 30-01-23

Hard to get through

I struggled to get through this book and finally skipped 4 hours to go to the last 2! This story certainly could of been consolidated.

1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Melanie Ragadio
  • Melanie Ragadio
  • 19-02-23

Not for everyone

This book was very slow. The reader was very monotone and clinical. I didn’t even finish it.