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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.

Through Part 1 : The Hanging

(view spoiler)[ wow, the murder sounds brutal
interesting that a judge and a doctor are trying to cover it up

I would think it might be better if they don't put it as a murder - but maybe I'm misunderstanding why it's so important she be right

and that was awful, that that girl charged her friend - in open court- like that.

I hope they get this judge

I like her husband. I feel bad Hannah had to learn a hard lesson.
I wonder who killed the rapist (hide spoiler)]

Through Part 2 : To Housekeeping

(view spoiler)[ still not a lot of ideas about who killed the rapist. There are a lot of possiblities

but I can't figure out why the judge hung out with him. Why the judge and this man when and hurt this girl in particular? was it just because she was alone? is this the first time the judge has done this?

I'm so confused.

and the girls in town, judging another, was just gross
and the other doctor - what a jerk. Why would the other mom and daughter not counter what he was saying? he almost killed them! and he DID kill the next baby. jeez (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 & 4

(view spoiler)[ wow, what a scoundrel - for the judge to run and hide. How awful he burned down the house, too! And gross that he's kicked out the husband of the woman he raped. Just, the power and disgrace this man has! just awful

I really like the main character. I love how steady she is when helping with the births, but that she also really stands up for women

I really love her marriage, too! she and her husband are so cute! Interesting that she denied the tonic to North's wife. I don't blame her, her rage is justified, but yikes - I wonder what's wrong with North's wife that she has these constant headaches

there are definitely a whole HUGE cast of characters - and I'm definitely forgetting which kids are hers, which ones had "premie" babies and who's currently pregnant or just had a baby. I wish we had a town map with people's names or a glossary of names and relationships or. . . something

and yikes, Page has a REALLY, truly awful track record of not delivering live babies!!! I also really liked the doctor (hide spoiler)]

Ohhhh I missed this one! I am getting this one for my BOTM. I wish we were buddy reading it. How is it so far?

It is SO good! I'm reading it with a book club with weekly check ins and we are ALL loving it!

YAY! So good to know! Glad you are loving it!

and done

(view spoiler)[ You know, I knew Jonathan was gone a lot - and she couldn't account for his time. But I never really thought he would have helped Sam - BUT knowing what the rapist did to Sam's girl, it made much more sense. Of course he attacked other women. Ugh

I loved the author's note and I loved getting to know this midwife. I love that she gave us journal entries and identified with being in the house, brimming with family and noise. I loved her husband

I love that she maimed North. (hide spoiler)]

this one was SO good!

I can’t wait to get it! I’m glad you loved it!

I just started reading this. I figured it would be a good book to read this season. So far I'm about 50 pages in and intrigued.

It really is perfect! I felt the cold both on the page and outside! lol

I hope you love it too!

I finished this and really enjoyed it. I never knew about Martha Ballard but I’m glad I do now.