LAW & CRIME

Hazel Was a Good Girl: Solving the Murder That Inspired Twin Peaks

by Jerry C. Drake
CLASH. Jun. 2025. 254p. ISBN 9781960988591. pap. $18.95. CRIME
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In July of 1908, the body of 20-year-old Hazel Drew was found in a pond in upstate New York. More than 100 years later, her murder remains officially unsolved. If it weren’t for the fact that her legend inspired the writers of television’s Twin Peaks, she might have been entirely forgotten by now. Former history professor and amateur detective Drake was spurred by a literal fever dream to research and write this true crime story, in no small part due to his admiration for Twin Peaks. While Drake’s research is meticulous, his prose is somewhat uneven and may not grab readers’ attention quickly. The feeling of lag could simply be that too much time has passed since the murder and not enough evidence remains to indicate conclusively who killed Hazel Drew—although Drake does propose a solution.
VERDICT Despite the tie-in to the cult TV show, perhaps only avid Twin Peaks viewers will find a connection here.
Reviewed by Jennifer Moore , Apr 18, 2025
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