by Ariel Lawhon
Published
Not found
Pages
Not found
Language
English
Publisher
Random House Audio
Kindle
$14.99
Hardcover
$17.39
Paperback
$16.20
Audiobook
$19.69
Audio CD
Not found
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.
In the heart of a winter cloaked town, whispers of secrets buried beneath frozen waters emerge to challenge and transform the lives of its residents. As the ice gives way to hidden truths, boundaries of reality and folklore blur, compelling one woman to confront her past and redefine her future. The Frozen River artfully navigates the delicate balance between despair and hope, revealing a profound and timeless exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome the harshest of winters.
A gripping tale set against the backdrop of a hauntingly beautiful frozen landscape. Intertwines elements of mystery and folklore to unravel deeply buried truths. Explores resilience and transformation in the face of hidden pasts and personal journeys.
Nestled in an isolated town where winter tightens its icy grip The Frozen River unravels a compelling narrative of resilience and rediscovery. Amidst snow-covered landscapes the protagonist embarks on a journey that bridges past and present uncovering secrets frozen in time. Eerie whispers of folklore interlace with stark realities challenging everything she thought she knew.
With each revelation she delves deeper into the enigmatic ties binding the community to its icy heart wrestling with forces both unseen and unspoken. Captured in a frigid winter embrace the novel paints vivid portraits of the people and traditions layered within. It examines how history and imagination blend to inform identity.
The author masterfully weaves tension with warmth creating a tapestry where icy mysteries thaw into unexpected revelations. As personal and communal histories collide readers are left to ponder the resilience of the spirit when faced with life's most chilling discoveries.
The Frozen River captivates with its rich atmospheric descriptions drawing readers effortlessly into its wintry world Its landscape is more than a setting; it's a living breathing presence that shapes the story's heart Through intricate storytelling the novel unveils its characters' intricate relationships and hidden pasts revealing themes of loyalty and redemption These voices resonate deeply connecting with readers on an emotional and personal level Its seamless blend of mystery folklore and reality creates a narrative tapestry that is both haunting and uplifting The book's ability to explore complex themes with grace and nuance distinguishes it as a remarkable literary work.
Not found
Not found
Not found
Not found
Based on 29259 ratings
Frozen River sneaks up on you. It starts off slow, but before long, you're engrossed in the lives of the characters. Lawson does a fantastic job of creating a world that feels real and full of beautiful, quiet moments. The way she weaves in themes of loss, forgiveness, and the passage of time is both emotive and reflective. As a Shakespeare enthusiast, I really loved the Bard nods throughout this book. In addition to the quotes, I spotted references to both Macbeth and The Tempest sprinkled throughout the story. It added an extra layer of depth to the novel without being overbearing. You don’t have to be a Shakespeare buff to appreciate these nuggets, but if you are, it’s a nice bonus. That said, there was one thing that did not work for me…the whole fox metaphor. It’s lovely in theory, but I didn’t really see how it tied into the overall plot. Each time the fox appeared, I kept waiting for some revelation (big or small) that never came. Still, that’s a small complaint in what was otherwise a compelling and thoughtful read. I recommend to all lovers of historical fiction with a twist of mystery. P.S. The book is based on a true story!
The story is exciting and interesting-- and keeps the reader engaged. The characters are well developed--and the "first person" narrative added to the depth of plot, action--and certainly the main characters. Very exciting (and often sorrowful) as the people and environment change--right to the suspenseful end.
I read at night and this book kept me up way past my bedtime. My eyes were streaming and blurry from fatigue but I could not stop turning the pages. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and this book in particular was neat because it was pieced together around actual daily diary entries. The author states in her Author’s Notes that it is 75 percent non-fiction. That aside, the story line moved right along and I found it incredibly interesting and compelling. The characters and dialogue were quite believable to me. The crux of the story is the plight of women in the late 1700’s, most notably the disparity of justice between genders. As a woman, it was incredibly risky to speak out…. still is to some extent…. but we forget, don’t we? Martha, the main character, was a true advocate for women’s rights and master in the art of Midwifery and healing. Had she been male, a great monument would probably have been erected in her honor. This story was not really a “thriller” per se, but I am purposefully not giving spoiler details…. why do reviewers do that??? ….. just my abridged opinion of this book. Extremely well written, interesting, and thought provoking. This book will stay in my collection to be re-read in a decade.
Martha Ballard....how I will miss you. I absolutely love the way Ariel wrote Martha's character. This book is going to be one that I reread, and when I do, it'll be because I miss Martha and want to spend time with her. ❤️ • This story begins with the body of a man being found frozen in the Kennebec River in 1700s Maine. Martha Ballard, a midwife, is summoned to inspect the body and declares the man has been murdered. The man?..... one of 2 alleged of raping a married woman, Rebecca Foster. We are carried through the story by our desire to find out who committed the murder, and if Rebecca will receive justice through the legal system during a time women had few rights. Along the way, we get a beautifully crafted look into day-to-day, small town life in 1700s America, social inequalities, motherhood, and childbearing, with Martha Ballard's journal entries being at the heart of this story. • There is no denying an incredible amount of research preceded this book. The realities of that time are wonderfully depicted. The hardships and prejudices. It causes one to take pause and consider what life was like for people back in that time, especially women, leaving you thankful for how things have changed. However, it also makes you consider what hasn't changed as much as you'd expect. • Again, I could not get enough of Martha. She is strong and bold FMC. I admired her courage and intellect. I also admired how she stood up for women, herself included, and fought to give them all a voice when women had none.🥰 She is a remarkable woman and such an inspiration!! • I enjoyed seeing glimpses of her and Ephraim's love story throughout the years. Ephraim was endearing. It's hard not to love him....for the man he was, the husband he was... and the provider he was. I enjoyed their family and life together. • I highly recommend this book! I did find myself losing track of who some people were, and it was a slower pace for a mystery. But this book embedded itself into my heart, so I have to give it 5🌟. Don't skip the author's note! This was my first Ariel Lawhon read, but it will not be my last.
I thought this was well written and presented interesting moral dilemmas for the characters. I enjoyed the time period - late 1700s. The setting felt vivid to me and the characters were believable. The plot moved along for the most part. While I enjoyed what happened to North, it was a little too ‘perfect.’ Overall a good book.
This is not the type of book I would ordinarily read, but a couple of outstanding reviews and recommendations convinced me to try it. So glad I did. This is the best book I have read in a long time. It is historical fiction, family and community drama, thriller, mystery, crime drama, feminist manifesto, love story, and a lot more. The writing is superb and the post-Revolutionary War life and details struck me as very well researched and authentic. The narrator and hero Martha Ballard is a literary icon in my opinion—brave, wise, funny, loving, smart, ambitious and, of course, way ahead of her time ( the latter at times seemed a bit over the top, but I loved the book too much to quibble,). Ariel Lawhon has woven together a great story with memorable characters