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.

Once again, I need to give a big shout-out to my book group, for giving me the motivation to read The Frozen River — a book that’s been on my TBR for over a year! I’m so glad to have finally read it. The Frozen River is a captivating look at a historical figure who led a remarkable life, but who seems to not be widely known or remembered.

The Frozen River is a fictionalized version of Martha Ballard’s life, drawn from her meticulously kept diaries but also liberally embellished by the author, as she explains in the notes at the end. For purposes of clarity, let me stipulate that when I refer to Martha from here on out, I’m talking about her as depicted in this novel.

Martha is the town midwife of Hallowell, Maine. She’s 54 years old, married to a lovely man, Ephraim, who runs a local lumber mill, and mother of nine children, six of whom are still living. She’s delivered hundreds of babies over the years, and has never lost a mother. She comes when calls, and is a trusted medical professional — at least among the women of the area. When an arrogant but inexperienced Harvard-educated doctor comes to town, some of the Martha’s patients (or really, their husbands) choose his services instead, with disastrous results.

One of Martha’s responsibilities is to question unwed women — in the middle of labor!! — to ascertain the name of the baby’s father, and then testify about it in court. Yes, really. (It’s believed that a laboring woman is more likely to tell the truth in the middle of all the pain…) Her role is clear, but as the book shows, when she steps out of line or questions the powerful men of the town, she’s dismissed or undermined.

As the story opens, a body is found under the ice of the frozen Kennebec River. Martha is called to examine the body and determine cause of death, which is clear to her experienced eyes: He’s been badly beaten and then hanged, and his dead body was tossed into the river. The man is identified as one of two men recently accused of violently raping the pastor’s wife. Between the murder investigation and the rape trial, at which Martha is a lead witness supporting the woman bringing charges, Martha’s credibility and expertise are constantly being challenged and called into question.

Beyond the mystery of the dead man and the drama of the rape case, The Frozen River is a powerful story of a strong, professional woman who refuses to back down, and who serves the women of her community whenever needed, even at risk to her own health and well-being. Martha’s home life is also lovely to see. She has a passionate, devoted relationship with her husband, and is an involved, caring mother to her children.

Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality. That, I believe, is why so few women are taught to read and write. God only knows what they would do with the power of pen and ink at their disposal.

Martha’s journal entries are interspersed throughout the novel, giving us a view into her daily life. Her understated record of her days hide the drama that each entails, whether a breech birth or a contentious day in court or the worries of a mother whose sons may have secrets.

The writing in The Frozen River is lovely, giving a vivid sense of day-to-day life in late 18th century Maine. The harsh winter, the frozen river, the external elements that make the environment a challenge — all are in contrast to the warm interiors of Martha’s home, the tavern that’s a community gathering spot, and the various homes to which Martha is called to care for the women who need her.

As for the connected dramatic plotlines surrounding the rape case and the murdered man, these are presented masterfully, with building tension and suspense. Hints and new clues are dispensed slowly throughout the book; the picture emerges in bits and pieces, and it’s a sign of the author’s skill that the full story doesn’t truly become clear until the very end.

I was completely wrapped up in The Frozen River from start to finish. Martha is a wonderful main character, and I felt connected to her immediately. The characters, setting, and plotlines all come together to make this a compelling and unforgettable read. Highly recommended.

The Frozen River is my first book by Ariel Lawhon, but it won’t be my last. I’m thinking of trying I Was Anastasia next — if you’ve read it, let me know your thoughts!

To learn more about the real Martha Ballard:

• Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Ballard
• Non-fiction work published in 1989: A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard based on her diary, 1785–1812 by Laura Thatcher Ulrich