The Frozen River Review

Hello, all!

Let's chat about The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

Pub Date: 12-5-23
Adult - Historical Fiction

It's a bitterly cold winter's night when midwife Martha Ballard gets called to examine a body pulled from the frozen Kennebec River. As the town's primary healer, Martha is privy to most of what goes on behind closed doors and frequently records everything in her journal. From births to deaths to every bit of unsavory happenings in town, Martha chronicles it all. Months ago, Martha recorded an alleged rape committed by two of the town's most notable residents, one of whom was the body pulled from the ice.

After examining the body, Martha concludes it was murder, but after being undermined by a male physician, she decides to investigate herself. The more Martha digs into the shocking events, the more tangled she becomes. When the accused begins to target Martha and her family, Martha is determined to set the record straight. But when her diary becomes the key evidence in the scandal, implicating those closest to her, Martha must decide where her loyalties lie and just how far she'll go to see justice served.

Wow, the hype around this book is real! People raved about how excellent this book was, and they weren't lying. It was so compelling. I've never read anything during this time or setting, so it immediately set it apart and made it feel unique. I thought Martha was so fascinating. Her personality was fierce and steadfast, and I loved how she wouldn't let a man tell her her place. She was intelligent, resourceful, and, most of all, kind. She had such a huge heart and cared deeply for those around her. I loved seeing her interact with other townspeople, but especially her family. They all had such a beautiful bond, and I adored every moment between her and Ephraim, who is a top-tier book husband. The mystery was enthralling, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how Lawhon would pull it all together. It's going to be one that I'll be recommending for a while.

Rating: 4.5/5

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