The Frozen River: A Novel by Ariel Lawhon

"The Frozen River" by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife. Summoned to examine a man entombed in ice on the Kennebec River, Martha becomes embroiled in a shocking murder mystery involving two respected gentlemen accused of rape.

As a midwife and healer, Martha is privy to the town of Hallowell's secrets, documenting every birth, death, and scandal in her diary. When a local physician disputes her conclusion that the man's death was murder, Martha takes it upon herself to uncover the truth.

As whispers and prejudices mount, Martha's diary becomes central to the scandal, implicating those she loves and forcing her to confront where her loyalties truly lie. "The Frozen River" is a clever, layered, and subversive tale of a woman who refused to accept anything less than justice in a time when women's voices were often silenced.

Ariel Lawhon's novel is a thrilling and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy, yet remains largely forgotten in history.