The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Published by Vintage Books
Publication date: December 5, 2023
Genres: Book Clubs, Fiction, Historical 
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Martha Ballard is a well-regarded wife, mother, and midwife in late 1700s Maine. When The Frozen River begins it’s the depths of winter and she’s been called to determine a cause of death for a man found frozen in the river. She declares it to be murder, but this is just the beginning of a mystery that will take the novel’s remaining three seasons to be resolved; seasons that will bring increasing risk to Martha and her family.
When Martha returns home her daughter tells her the dead man harassed her at a dance the night before and her son fought and threatened him because of it. Her concern about the implications of this are alleviated the next day when she’s informed that the town’s new doctor, a Harvard-educated man with a degree, has contradicted her and found the death to be accidental. She knows this to be untrue just as much as she knows her son did not murder anyone and she has no intention of letting either misconception stand.
Unbeknownst to most in town (but not a secret to the reader) is that Martha is literate, highly unusual among women of her class. She keeps a diary, with an entry of every day’s events, including the weather, every patient she sees, why, and how she treats them. This, plus a husband who loves and strongly respects her means she is not a woman to back down in the face of pressure from men. Instead, she listens and asks questions to get to the bottom of a mystery that stretches far beyond one dead body.
The Frozen River encompasses many of the interesting facets of Puritan life in America. There was no such thing as women’s rights, dating before marriage, or drinking alcohol. Lawhon skillfully showcases the virulent double standard by weaving the stories of several women Martha knows throughout the novel. Martha herself faces a male doctor who encroaches upon her livelihood and reputation by slandering her capabilities and playing to the vanity of wealthier townspeople. Lawhon draws and develops all of these characters well, immersing the reader in life at that time.
Given how many elements Lawhon puts into play in this book and how successfully she maneuvers the plot without manipulating the story it’s no surprise that The Frozen River was an easy five stars. It’s history and even more importantly, is based on real events about a midwife who kept a journal. Highly recommend for all readers.
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I liked this one too … though the male villains in this are pretty awful ! I liked that it’s based on a real person who seemed to be pretty amazing at delivering babies … I might have to read the biography about her sometime … which is well lauded. Who knew?: Martha Ballard … loved the frozen river imagery & town setting too.