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The Frozen River

A Novel

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The Frozen River

Written by: Ariel Lawhon
Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer, Ariel Lawhon
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About this listen

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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.

©2023 Ariel Lawhon (P)2023 Random House Audio
Detective Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime Exciting Midwife

What the critics say

An NPR Best Book of 2023

“The narrator of Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River is another stalwart heroine. . .detailed descriptions of the routines of village life give this narrative its intimate sense of connection—and set [the narrator] up for a pivotal confrontation.”The New York Times Book Review

"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

“Compelling . . .a most uncozy mystery that addresses the unbalanced power dynamics of men and women, rich and poor.”—NPR, Weekend Edition

All stars
Most relevant
Historical fiction is my favourite genre and this book ticks all the boxes: well researched, well written, strong characters, feels authentic for the setting and time period, interesting story. There were a few things that didn't quite ring true, notably how quickly the river froze over, which seems unlikely, but I could be wrong. I saw a few reviews that contended that the 'feminism' issues were over the top. I found the condescension by some of the male characters completely credible; men held most of the power. Things have progressed in this area a great deal in the last 30 years and this story took place almost 300 years ago. Martha Ballard must have been an extraordinary woman and I am grateful to have been introduced to her. Many thanks to the author, Ariel Lawhon, for writing her story, and for her lengthy and informative "note" at the end of the book. I loved the way that she weaves interesting detail into The Frozen River that enriches the story and provides interesting historical context.

A great listen!

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I loved the courageous women in this story, most of all Martha herself, but also many others in her tale. Magnificent in strength, wisdom, kindness, and the “business of mortality” as she so aptly expresses it.

Courageous women

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The story was beautifully written, and while it seemed slow at times, it was satisfyingly so. The character development was excellent, the historical detail and the performance were spot on. A definite top listen for me.

Beautiful writing

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This is one of the best novels I have ever listened to.
Excellent narrator as well.

One Brilliant Novel

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The Frozen River is a beautifully written, quietly powerful historical novel. I picked it up because of its recent buzz, but I stayed for Martha Ballard—a midwife, healer, and seeker of justice whose real-life story deserves far more recognition.

While the book is positioned as a historical mystery, the mystery itself isn’t the driving force. There are no shocking twists or wild reveals—but that’s not a flaw. The strength of this novel lies in its character depth and atmospheric immersion. Even in quieter moments, I found myself deeply engaged, thanks to lyrical prose and careful attention to detail. The Maine winter, the courtroom scenes, and the daily struggles of 18th-century women were all rendered with care and clarity.

I was struck by Martha - older, sharp-witted, confident, and uncompromising in her loyalty and sense of duty to women. Her moral compass never wavers, even when standing firm puts her reputation or safety at risk. It was a refreshing change to read about a mature FMC who carries the weight of experience, knowledge, and fierce integrity.

I also found the animals - Tempest, Brutus, and Ephraim’s hawk - to be quietly powerful symbols throughout. Tempest’s cautious trust and eventual bond with Martha echoed themes of intuition and care. Brutus, all brute strength and menace, the ever-present threat of violence and unchecked power. And Ephraim’s hawk—aloof, precise, and loyal. They added emotional texture and a symbolic weight to the story.

There’s something deeply satisfying about now knowing Martha Ballard’s name—about understanding the real tangible legacy she left behind, not just in her medical work and that of the (descended) women that came after her, but in the way she moved through a world designed to minimize her.

This is a book for anyone who loves historical fiction centered on strong, intelligent women who push against societal limits. It’s not a thriller—it’s a tribute. And it made me feel both admiration and pride.

Quietly Powerful Tribute

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It's only January, yet I feel I've already discovered what will be my favorite book of 2024. This is one power house of a novel.
Do you like historical fiction? You’ll learn of the early American judicial system and the place of women in the society of the 1700s, how to make a quill pen, how to harvest a chicken, childbirth pre-modern medicine, transport by horse and foot, and so much more.
Do you like a bit of romance? You’ll enjoy reading of the 35-year love affair between Martha and Ephraim.
How about mystery? You’ll want to know who killed Joshua Burgess and why.
Do you enjoy audio books? The audio version has an incredible narrator. I really feel like it was Martha telling her own story.

I enjoyed every aspect of this novel.

My Book of the Year

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This book captured my attention from the start but after the scene was set I sort of lost interest. I liked the mystery background and also appreciated the idea of telling the story of women but I feel like at the end it was all only half done. It was pretty clearly who the guilt parties were early on even though I know that wasn’t the point of the story. I just felt that I wanted to get through this one.

Listened on 2x

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Easy to listen to, nice to hear a story about women and the role they played in that era. Loved how all the pieces came together in the last few chapters. Great story!

Loved the story!

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Really enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read another of her books.

Easy and captivating

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I love the orator. She has such an amazing voice. The story is very captivating. It gets even better once you realize it’s based on true events and the main character is a real person. Highly recommend reading this.

Loved that it is based on real events

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