The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick

by Ariel Lawhon

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - GMA BOOK CLUB PICK - AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR - From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name H l ne comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.

"Fans of Outlander's Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon's Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive."--The Washington Post

"Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." --People Magazine

Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town's most respected gentlemen--one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.

Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon's newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385546874
• ISBN13: 9780385546874
• Release Date: December 2023
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A good story

Ariel Lawhon is a self-proclaimed storyteller and that’s what she does. She tells a good story. I like that she tells stories about the lives of amazing women that could have been lost in history like that of the 1700s Midwife Martha Ballard. This murder mystery had me hooked from the beginning. I did have a hard time following characters and events at times but I found myself carving out more time sitting on my porch reading this book. I recommend it to those that love reading about strong women who break tradition to do what they believe is right in their hearts.

Absolutely loved it! Couldn't put it down!

Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this one!

Could read again and again

I absolutely loved this book. One of my favorites that I have ever read.

I loved this book!

I loved this book! The characters are wonderful. The story hints at something in the past. It all comes together in the end. A great read. I couldn't put it down.