The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick - Ariel Lawhon

The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick

By Ariel Lawhon

  • Release Date: 2023-12-05
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,748 Ratings

Description

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 Hélène 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.

Reviews

  • Loved it

    5
    By ruglady
    I totally enjoyed every minute spent with Martha Ballard and even enjoyed the author’s explanation about some of the decisions she made in the telling of her story. For me, it underscored how real and how remarkable Martha was.
  • Read this book.

    5
    By rarelyleavesareview
    Trigger warning about traumatic labor, which I have had but it was actually healing for me. You will fall in love with the main character. Beautiful book.
  • Great read

    5
    By GF runnergirl
    Well written and engaging story. However, it is somewhat explicit in dealing with the issue of rape, which may be too disturbing to some readers.
  • Amazing story; Don’t read the notes

    5
    By Pea site
    Absolutely loved the riveting story. I wish I had simply put the book down when the narrative ended as the author’s notes turned me against her. I found them to be pretentious and in the case of the “you’re welcome”‘s quite obnoxious. Despite the excellence of the work itself, I won’t pick up the other books.
  • Mesmerizing!

    5
    By Lover of true history
    Well written, gripping! Experiencing the world of Martha Ballard and her character, motivates me to be the woman God created me to be!
  • Lots of empty words.

    1
    By Skime@38
    Nothing riveting in this story.
  • The Frozen River

    4
    By bcuttone
    I applauded my very being for finishing The Frozen River. The storyline was intriguing, but this novel was so overloaded with details that I felt, at times, that I would jump out of my skin. Each detail gave life to ten more details, and those ten details multiplied accordingly. I honestly think I am incapable of reading another of Miss Lawhon’s novels. I am an English teacher and have read hundreds of lengthy novels over many years, but this novel written by, inarguably an excellent writer, was too much for me. I am spending the remainder of my night with a cold compress attached to my forehead.
  • The frozen river

    5
    By Dedra Grizzard
    Excellent. This is the best book I have read in such a long while. It took me a bit to get involved but every bit worth the perseverance. Again, excellent. Highly recommend
  • The best!

    5
    By TXNurseBF
    Absolutely amazing! One of the best books I’ve read in years.
  • The Rope

    5
    By Sparkkler
    Ariel Lawson captures the temperature, the challenges, and the mysteries of a midwife living in early America. She combines a glimpse at 18th century life with the mystery of the unusual death of a small town citizen in this fascinating read.

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