Picture this: it's 1789 in Hallowell, Maine, and the Kennebec River has frozen solid, trapping a man's body in its icy grip. Local midwife and healer Martha Ballard gets called in to examine the corpse. What starts as a routine check turns into a full-blown investigation when she suspects murder—linked to an alleged rape by two town pillars, one now dead.
Martha's diary isn't just a prop; it's the heart of this story. As a midwife, she's seen it all—births, deaths, secrets behind closed doors. When a male doctor dismisses her findings as an accident, she digs deeper alone, recording every twist as the trial looms. Ariel Lawhon, bestselling author of I Was Anastasia, masterfully blends fact and fiction from Martha's actual words, making you feel the chill of that winter and the heat of the scandal.
Martha's no fragile flower. She's outspoken, brave, protecting the vulnerable in a world that silences women. You'll tense up as prejudices swirl and loyalties fracture—even those closest to her. Sensory details pull you in: the crack of river ice, the hush of snow-covered streets, the sting of betrayal. It's tense, layered, subversive, shining light on a woman history nearly forgot.
Grab your Kindle and settle in for late-night pages. Whether you're into Outlander's strong heroines or courtroom dramas like The Lincoln Lawyer, this fits right in. Read during a cozy winter storm, or gift it to a history buff who loves real stories reimagined. A GMA Book Club Pick and NPR favorite, The Frozen River delivers thrills with heart, reminding us justice often starts with one determined voice.
At around 400 pages of immersive prose, it's the Kindle read that transports you back, leaving you pondering Martha's legacy long after the final twist.
