Review of "Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest" by Gregg Olsen

This true crime book tells the story of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard, an advocate of the 'fasting cure' for illness. Though Linda called herself 'doctor' she had no medical training and obtained the honorific by suing for the title in court.

Linda Burfield Hazzard

In 1911, two British heiresses, Dora and Claire Williamson, decided to partake of Hazzard's fasting remedy.


Dora (left) and Claire Williamson

The Williamson sisters leaned toward hypochondria, and always imagined they had some ailment or another. The siblings also believed in natural methods of healing. Thus when Dora and Claire read Hazzard's book 'Fasting for the Cure of Disease', they decided to check into the doctor's clinic in Olalla, Washington, a rural community west of Seattle.



Most residents of Olalla were Swedish and Norwegian farmers and loggers, and Linda's 'Institute For Natural Therapeutics' - which at the time consisted of a couple of half-built cabins - was almost hidden in the rustic countryside. Linda eventually built her sanitarium, which could house many patients.


Olalla, Washington


Linda Burfield Hazzard's sanitarium in Olalla, Washington

Hazzard's patients were permitted to eat only a few spoons of light vegetable broth, and were subjected to daily enemas, burning hot baths, vigorous osteopathic massage (slapping and punching), and more. The stated goal was to rid the body of toxins - a process that took months - after which healing could occur.


Fasting therapy patients were subjected to daily enemas

The actual consequences to Hazzard's patients was starvation, and skeletal inmates of the clinic, who could barely stand up, were sometimes seen shuffling or crawling down the road for 'exercise.' The Williamson sisters had absolute faith in Linda's regimen, and willingly subjected themselves to the heinous fasting therapy.


Man participating in a starvation experiment

While Dora and Claire lost pound after pound - and their health declined - Hazzard squirreled away the siblings' valuable jewels and used trickery and forgery to gain access to their money. This type of chicanery was part of Hazzard's modus operandi, and she and her husband Sam enriched themselves at the expense of Linda's patients, many of whom died. One of Hazzard's victims was Washington politician and publisher Lewis Ellsworth Rader, who died after 37 days of the fasting treatment.


Linda Burfield Hazzard's husband Sam Hazzard


Lewis Ellsworth Rader died while undergoing Hazzard's fasting therapy

Claire was literally at death's door when she finally wised up and managed to sneak out a letter, addressed to her former nurse Margaret Conway in Australia, asking for help. Conway took a ship to America and made her way to Olalla, where she found that Claire had died, and Dora, who now weighed about 60 pounds, was at the edge of death. With some difficulty, Margaret was able to rescue Dora from Hazzard's clutches, and Dora and Margaret became determined to bring Hazzard to justice for killing Claire.


Dora Williamson was skin and bones when she was rescued from Hazzard's sanitarium

Prosecuting Linda was easier said than done for several reasons: Hazzard had devoted advocates who believed in her treatment; Hazzard was a loud assertive woman who intimidated people; and Hazzard seemed to exercise an almost hypnotic power over her patients and people around her.


Linda Burfield Hazzard was a formidable adversary

Moreover, on some level Hazzard REALLY believed in the fasting regimen. She claimed there was a conspiracy against her, insisting that medical school graduates (all men at the time) attacked her because she was a woman with an innovative form of therapy. As a result, Olalla authorities were VERY reluctant to prosecute Hazzard, believing they couldn't win. Even so, Linda was eventually brought to trial.



The man who fought hardest to get Linda prosecuted for murdering Claire Williamson was British Vice-Consul Lucian Agassiz, who was aghast at the murder of a British subject. Agassiz interviewed witnesses; lined up evidence; researched the scandalous history of Hazzard's husband Sam, who was a bigamist and con-man; helped raise funds for the lawsuit; recruited attorneys; wrote letters to various officials, including the governor; and so on. Agassiz also 'followed the money', exposing Linda's greed and thievery.


Linda Burfield Hazzard was arrested and tried for murder

Hazzard was eventually brought to trial, and the affair made headlines across the British Empire. In Olalla, Linda became a kind of bogeyman legend, with horror stories about her 'Starvation Heights' institute circulating for decades.



As the story unfolds we get flashbacks to the history of the major characters, including aspects of Linda's childhood in Minnesota; Linda meeting and marrying suave handsome Sam Hazzard - a West Point graduate whose dishonorable behavior ruined a promising career; the Hazzards relocating to Washington to escape scandal and build their institute; and more.

The most unbelievable and (and terrifying) aspect of the story is Linda's ability to get away with her murderous therapy for so long. After all, Olallans could see emaciated dying patients with their own eyes, and - for whatever reason - elected to look the other way. Moreover, Hazzard fought back against her 'enemies' every step of the way, and was certain she would prevail in the end.



Much has been written about Linda Burfield Hazzard and Starvation Heights but Gregg Olsen's book is an in-depth treatment that's well worth reading.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gregg Olsen, and Thread Books for a copy of the manuscript.

Rating: 4 stars

Review of "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir" by Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry is probably best know for playing Chandler Bing on 'Friends', which is considered one of the best and most popular sitcoms in the history of television.

Matthew Perry


Poster from the 'Friends' television show

I watched Friends, and noticed that Perry's appearance changed from time to time. I thought the actor was just gaining and losing weight, and didn't realize he was struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. In this memoir, Perry writes about his long battle with substance abuse, and the way it's affected every aspect of his life.

Perry ascribes his addiction problems both to his genes and to triggering childhood experiences. In 1969, Matthew was born to Suzanne Langford Perry and John Bennett Perry, whom Matthew describes as two of the most beautiful people in the world.


Mathew Perry's mother Suzanne


Matthew Perry's father John

The marriage failed, and little Matthew had to shuttle, as an unaccompanied minor, between his mom in Canada and his dad in California. The experience made Matthew feel frightened and insecure, and profoundly affected his life. In addition, Matthew was a colicky baby, and - as was the custom at the time - his pediatrician prescribed phenobarbital (barbiturates) to calm him down. Matthew cites these incidents as influencing his later dependence on alcohol and opioids.


Little Matthew Perry with his dad

Perry grew up mostly in Canada, where he was an average student and a good tennis player, thinking of himself as the 'next Jimmy Connors.' At fifteen Matthew left his mother and her new family in Canada and joined his father in California, where the teenager hoped to launch his tennis career.


Teenage Mathew Perry was a ranked tennis player in Canada

But a good player in chilly Canada - where tennis is played for only a few months a year - is a modest player in sunny California, which hatches some tennis superstars. Thus Perry decided to become an actor like his dad, who - among other things - was the 'Old Spice Man' in television commercials of the 1960s and 1970s.


John Perry as the 'Old Spice Man' in television commercials

By his mid-teens Matthew was already drinking alcohol, having begun at the age of fourteen. Perry was soon a full-blown alcoholic, missing auditions and acting gigs because of his drinking.

Despite his problems, Perry was lucky enough to score the role of Chandler Bing on Friends in 1994. Perry has nothing but kind words and praise for his castmates, but - if you're looking for gossip and fun stories about filming Friends - you won't find it here. Matthew writes a little about the auspicious launch of the show; observes that all his co-stars were good-looking, talented, and caring; and admits he once had a crush on Jennifer Aniston.....and that's about it.

In 1997 Perry had a jet ski accident while filming a movie, and was prescribed Vicodin for the pain. Matthew was immediately enthralled with the 'high' provided by the pills, and his addiction to opioids began. By his late twenties Perry was an outright pill-popping alcoholic, and at one point was drinking almost two quarts of vodka and swallowing 55 Vicodins per day.


Matthew Perry became a pill-popping alcoholic

Just getting the opioids was time-consuming since Perry had to visit doctor after doctor, claiming to suffer from migraines (which was a lie). Matthew also trolled real estate 'open houses' on Sundays, to steal pills from medicine cabinets, and purchased Vicodin from drug-dealers. On top of alcohol and Vicodin, Matthew was addicted to cigarettes, and smoked three packs of Marlboros per day, which just added to his problems.


Matthew Perry was a heavy smoker

Matthew knew he was on the wrong track and - time after time - asked for help, spoke to therapists, went to rehab, stayed in hospitals, had sober companions, got assistance from his father, was shored up by his co-stars, etc. Perry went to thousands of AA meetings, detoxed 65 times, and spent millions of dollars trying to curb his dependence, but he couldn't get clean. The star was apparently always looking to fill some void that couldn't be sated by his fame or his wealth (at one point the Friends stars were making more than a million dollars per episode). Matthew tends to be spiritual, and credits God with helping him fight his cravings, though the star had little long-term success.

To try to fill the emptiness inside him, Matthew bought one pricey home after another, always seeking a 'good view.' Perry also purchased expensive cars like Porsches and Bentleys, and engaged in innumerable 'friends with benefits' relationships.




Matthew Perry bought expensive homes and cars




Matthew Perry dated many beautfiul women

On rare occasions, Matthew even had a steady girlfriend - including Julia Roberts at one point - but always broke up with the woman before she had a chance to leave him (as Perry was sure she would do).


Julia Roberts was Matthew Perry's girlfriend for a while

According to Perry he was scrupulously honest with the many women he slept with, telling them up front he only wanted a sexual relationship, not a committment. Nevertheless, Perry comes off as a thoughtless user (in my opinion). In any case, Matthew seems to be paying for some of his mistakes since he acknowledges that now, at the age of 53, he's lonely and alone in his beautiful house with a view.

Matthew describes his addictions in the most harrowing terms, hoping to warn others of the dangers of drug and alcohol dependence. At one point, Perry describes a horrific incident in 2018 when his bowel - impacted by drug use - exploded. Matthew was in a coma for two weeks, was given a 2 percent chance of survival, and woke up with a colostomy - which he had for 9 months until his reversal. Sadly, more abdominal surgeries are in Perry's future. The near-death experience appears to have been a turning point for Perry, who claims he's now clean and sober. I wish him luck.


Matthew Perry's 2018 illness resulted in abdominal surgery

Perry sincerely apologizes to his family, friends, and former girlfriends.....and to the colleagues and co-workers who were negatively affected by his bad behavior. Perry states over and over again that he blames no one but himself, though he appears to harbor some resentment toward his parents, whom he feels neglected him for their own careers.




Matthew Perry talks about his book and his regrets in an interview with Diane Sawyer

Perry sprinkles his narrative with humorous anecdotes about his auditions, acquaintances, fellow comedians, movie-making experiences, and so on, but - though Matthew is a self-proclaimed funny guy in real life - the book never made me laugh out loud.

I was a bit disappointed with the narrative, which is more of an apologia than a compelling story of Matthew's life. Still, if the book succeeds in warning off potential drug and alchohol abusers, it's a good thing.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review of "The Lindbergh Nanny: A Novel" by Mariah Fredericks

Charles Lindbergh was an American military officer, inventor, and aviator who made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris in 1927. Lindbergh's daring trip made him an instant celebrity, and the pilot became a world-famous hero.


Charles Lindbergh

Lindbergh's wife was Anne Morrow - of the immensely wealthy and powerful Morrow family - and the duo was dubbed 'the couple of the age.'


Anne Morrow Lindbergh

The Lindberghs' affluence and fame made them a target, and the couple's 20-month-old son Charles Jr. was kidnapped in 1932.


Anne Morrow Lindbergh with Charles Lindbergh Jr.

Ransom demands followed, and the incident - called 'the crime of the century' - was investigated by a large number of law enforcement officials.



Sadly, baby Charles' body was discovered a couple of months or so after the kidnapping, and authorities speculated that the boy was probably (accidentally) killed during the abduction.

The 'crime of the century' has been dissected, discussed, and written about ad infinitum. In this novel, author Mariah Fredericks takes a different approach, depicting the events from the viewpoint of young Charles' nanny, Betty Gow.


Betty Gow

Though the book is fiction, Fredericks did her research, and much of the story is based on real people, and actual accounts of the abduction and investigation.


*****

Scotswoman Betty Gow followed her boyfriend Rob Coutts to America, in hopes of getting married. That didn't work out and Betty got the job of nanny to Charles and Anne Lindbergh's son Charles Jr. (Charlie). The Lindberghs were raising their son to be self-sufficient and independent, and Betty was instructed not to coddle the boy. Still, the Lindberghs would be away for months at a time, and Betty formed a strong bond with Charlie, who would cling to his beloved 'Beddy.'


Charles Lindbergh Jr.

Then on March 1, 1932, Charlie was taken from his room in the Lindberghs' Hopewell, New Jersey house that was under construction. At the time the Lindberghs rarely stayed at the unfinished home, preferring to remain at the Morrow mansion in Englewood, New Jersey.


Lindbergh house in Hopewell, New Jersey


Morrow Mansion in Englewood, New Jersey

Thus the kidnapper(s) had to KNOW the family was in residence at Hopewell, and had to KNOW where Charlie slept. A ladder was used to access Charlie's bedroom - whose window shutter didn't close properly - and the child was spirited away.

The crime was immediately seen as requiring inside information, and many people came under suspicion, including the Lindberghs' and Morrows' staff: butler, chauffeurs, maids, cooks, housekeeper, handyman, gardener, and so on. Unfortunately for nanny Betty, she was the last person to see Charlie AND she discovered the toddler was missing. Thus Betty was questioned relentlessly, as was her boyfriend, Norwegian sailor Henrik Johnson.


Henrik Johnson

The police speculated that - even if the staff members were innocent - their loose lips and carelessness may have aided the kidnapper(s).

The book, narrated from Betty's point of view, explores the crime; the steps taken by investigators; the ransom demands and payments; the assistance offered by gangsters and others; the effects of the inquiries on the people interrogated; the finding of the body; and more. Betty was especially vilified by the press and public, though the Lindberghs insisted their staff was innocent. Nevertheless, the ongoing suspicion ruined many lives and Betty - who returned to Scotland - was viewed askance and never married.

In real life, German-born Bruno Richard Hauptmann was hanged for the abduction and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr.


Bruno Richard Hauptmann

In the novel, Betty - who dearly loved little Charlie - tries to suss out who helped Hauptmann. The book names the probable suspect(s), but of course this is speculative.

It's interesting to see 'the crime of the century' from the perspective of the nanny who was so intimately involved with young Charlie. For people interested in the Lindbergh incident, this is a book well worth reading.

The audiobook is narrated by Penelope Rawlins, who does a fine job. 

I should point out that some people think Hauptmann was wrongly convicted, and there's much speculation about who REALLY committed the crime. Author William Norris explores this possibility in A Talent to Deceive. 

Rating: 4 stars

Review of "Fifty Fifty: A Detective Harriet Blue Thriller" by James Patterson and Candice Fox

The Harriet Blue series is a collaboration between James Patterson and Australian writer Candice Fox.

In this second book in the series, Detective Harriet Blue has a double agenda: to prove her brother is innocent of murder and to catch a killer in the Australian outback. The book can be read as a standalone but it's best to start with the first book in the series, Never Never.

*****

Australian Police Detective Harriet (Harry) Blue had a rough childhood in foster homes.



As a result Harry is a formidable fighter who doesn't hesitate to engage in fisticuffs with ANYONE. In fact Harry will even battle several men at once. Thus Harry has a reputation for violence, a reputation that leaches over to her brother Sam. As the story opens Sam is on trial, arrested for being the 'George Rivers Killer' who murdered three women in Sydney.



Harriet is certain her brother is innocent and so angry at the prosecutor that she punches him in public. So Harriet is (temporarily) banished to an outback town called Last Chance Valley (population 75).



In a diary found near Last Chance Valley someone threatens to kill all the town's residents, and Harry is to look into the matter. When a prominent citizen of Last Chance Valley is blown up, it's clear the diarist means business.

Harry is paired with two partners to investigate the matter: local cop Victoria Snale....



.....and Federal Agent Elliot Kash. Kash is the book's most entertaining character as he sees terrorists everywhere he looks and is constantly extolling his own virtues as a counter-terrorist.



Meanwhile, Harry's police partner in Sydney, Detective Edward Whittacker (Whitt), keeps trying to prove Harriet's brother Sam is innocent.



For this purpose Whitt works with Detective Tox Barnes, a wild card with his own unique methods.



The book is fast-moving with short snappy chapters, including sections devoted to (what might be) the REAL George Rivers Killer and his latest victim.

The book has a variety of interesting ancillary characters, including an insolent fresh-mouthed teenage boy;



an old Aboriginal man who resides on the outskirts of town;



a woman who derides Last Chance Valley's racism; and more.



The novel is engaging escapist literature that would appeal to fans of James Patterson and to readers who enjoy edge of your seat thrillers.

Rating: 3 stars