The Frozen River

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. 

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.

Ariel Lawhon is an award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and have been Good Morning America, LibraryReads, and One Book One County selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and four sons. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.

Review Quotes:

"The narrator of Ariel Lawhon's The Frozen River is another stalwart heroine. . .detailed descriptions of the routines of village life give this narrative its intimate sense of connection -- and set [the narrator] up for a pivotal confrontation." --The New York Times Book Review

"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

"Compelling . . .a most uncozy mystery that addresses the unbalanced power dynamics of men and women, rich and poor." --NPR, Weekend Edition

"Martha Ballard is not just a Maine midwife who's never lost a patient. She's also a truth speaker and a justice seeker in an era when women can't even testify in court. . .Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." -- People Magazine, Book of the Week

"The story pulls off the incredible feat of blending fact and fiction . . . I loved Lawhon's vivid writing and the way she threads romance, charm, and wit through some dark material." --The Atlantic

"[Lawhon's] gripping tale...feels like an authentic foray into the past and her wonderful heroine rings true. Indeed, Martha is so vividly rendered that it is hard not to become absorbed in her narrative and emotionally invested in her life. . . Martha's journal entries flesh out further this tough, brave and resourceful woman. Her valiant fight against the evil that men do makes for a winning blend of fact and fiction." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Part murder mystery, part historical fiction . . . this novel has a gothic, wintry feel that makes it an ideal fireside read." --Real Simple

"A richly satisfying drama . . . A vivid, exciting page-turner from one of our most interesting authors of historical fiction." --Kirkus, starred review

"Outstanding. . . Martha is an extraordinary character. . . Lawhon's first-rate tale should entrance readers passionate about early America and women's history." --Booklist, starred review

"Atmospheric, unique and elegantly written, The Frozen River will satisfy mystery lovers and historical fiction enthusiasts alike." --BookPage, starred review

"Gripping. . . Examines the ripple effects of a crime in a small community--and paints a striking portrait of a woman devoted to healing and justice. . . Lawhon draws on the real Martha Ballard's diary to construct her narrative, which contains a number of breathless twists and a large cast of hardscrabble characters. . . Lawhon's novel is a riveting story of small-town justice and a fitting tribute to a quiet, determined heroine." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A propulsive historical thriller with a contemporary sensibility." --Portland Press Herald