The Frozen River Audiobook By Ariel Lawhon cover art

The Frozen River

A Novel

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The Frozen River

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 Exciting Midwife
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Interview: Ariel Lawhon spins a mystery from the journals of an 18th-century midwife

'In a very real sense, Martha wrote herself into American history...'
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  • The Frozen River
  • 'In a very real sense, Martha wrote herself into American history...'
Captivating Mystery • Historical Authenticity • Excellent Narration • Strong Female Protagonist • Vivid Descriptions
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So much of women’s history is lost to us. To get a small piece in the form of historical fiction about this real life remarkable woman is a treasure. I will read this over and over again.

We all need a champion like Martha Ballard!

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Good story but bear in mind that the author took considerable liberties with the historical record, sensationalizing the story in unnecessary ways. Also, skip the smug and self-serving author's note.

Enjoyable but...

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Well written story, soothing narrative, interesting and intriguing keeps you in suspense until the end

Well written

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loved the details of nature. loved the honest look at how women were treated loved the details of midwifery

great story

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I love this book! And the facts that Martha Ballard is the great great grandmother of Mary Hobart and the great aunt of Clara Barton are sending me down a rabbit hole researching! My first love of reading came from checking out of books about Clara Barton and Helen Keller from the library! Martha Ballard is my new favorite heroine!

My favorite book of 2023!

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Intensely moving, sad, heroic and shows the simple strength of women loving and caring for women. The reality of living in a world governed by men and the eminent danger we as women are always in as we walk through our lives in this world. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Women's Strengths and Determination

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This was a wonderful story and narration of a fascinating woman and her role in the life of her small town.

Fascinating, intricate story expertly written

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The subject and history based on her diary and life in Maine.
Great description of early colonial life and community

The story

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An excellent work of historical fiction, based on the life of midwife Martha Ballard, of Maine.

Magnificant

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I loved hearing the authors note and how she explains her reasoning for particular donations in the novel.

authors note

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