The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Fiction
2023
Finished on July 27, 2025
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
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.
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.
This is my first read by Ariel Lawhon, and I'm beginning to think that maybe I shouldn't have given up on her earlier novel, I Was Anastasia. While it took me two weeks to read The Frozen River, I really enjoyed the story and Lawhon's writing. The birthing details are not for the squeamish, and one delivery reminded me of my daughter's birth, which wound up an emergency C-section. The novel would make for a great book club discussion, and I'd love to see a limited TV series, as well. I'm looking forward to trying more by Ariel Lawhon and will most likely try Code Name Helene.
A satisfying read. Recommend.
Good to hear what you thought of this one, Les. I originally picked this one up because I thought my daughter might like it. Can't even remember if I told her about it. Anyway, I'll remember to do so soon. I'd be curious to know about her opinions on the 'birthing' stuff. Don't think I've read any of this author's books, but I am familiar with the titles. Maybe in the fall.
ReplyDeleteKay, I'll bet your daughter would enjoy the midwife aspects of this story. You might like the mystery, too.
DeleteI started this one and liked it but it due back and no way I had time to finish it. Need to request again. I also had a C section, last minute and didn't expect it!
ReplyDeleteTina, it definitely took a long time to read, but the print is pretty small and it's over 400 pages, so that's my excuse! Yep, my C-section was unexpected. 8 lbs 3 oz. She got stuck! :0
DeleteSame! Tristan was an ounce shy of 9 pounds! Crazy
DeleteOh good glad you enjoyed it. The bad guys were pretty awful in this. The author's note is pretty interesting at the end. I had not heard of Martha Ballard before from history but it seems amazing that she was a real person that delivered a heck of a lot of babies during her colonial era. I remember this novel took me a long time to read but it's pretty vivid. I would read her again I think -- seems an easy or natural kind of storyteller.
ReplyDeleteSusan, yeah the bad guys were awful, weren't they? Kind of like the outcome for one, although it was a little far-fetched. It's a slow burn of a read, isn't it? I'm looking forward to trying another by Lawhon.
DeleteThe Wife, The Maid, and the Mistress was a great read for me about 10 years ago. I've been meaning to read more ever since, but just haven't gotten there - you know how that goes! Code Name Helene is on my kindle and will likely be the one I choose, even though my sisters loved The Frozen River. My review for The Wife, The Maid, and the Mistress is here:
ReplyDeletehttps://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-wife-maid-and-mistress-by-ariel.html
Thanks for the recommendation, JoAnn. I'm not a big fan of that time period (1930s), but you've convinced me. Great review! I'll probably get to Code Name Helene sometime soon, too.
DeleteI loved Frozen River and now want to read the nonfiction about the real midwife that it is based on. I liked Code Name Helene as well.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I'm glad to know that you enjoyed Code Name Helene. I'll probably read that one next time around.
DeleteI am an Ariel Lawhon fan, although I haven't read the Anastasia one. Code Name Helene was the first for me, and I loved it so much. Frozen River was also fantastic, and I can also recommend Flight of Dreams. I have The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress on my TBR shelf.
ReplyDeleteYou are right--this would be a great book for book clubs as well as a mini-series.
Jane, Code Name Helene seems to be a favorite of Lawhon readers. I'm looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks for the rec for Flight of Dreams, too. Nice to have a backlist of hers to delve into. Thanks for stopping by. I'll spend some time later this weekend perusing your blog. Cheers!
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