Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Frozen River
The Frozen River: A Novel | Ariel Lawhon
109 posts | 93 read | 3 reading | 61 to read
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hlne comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community. Maine, 1789: The Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice. Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As the local midwife and healer, Martha is good at keeping secrets. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, every murder and debacle that unfolds in the town of Hallowell. In that diary she also documented the details of an alleged rape that occurred four months earlier. Now, one of the men accused of that heinous attack has been found dead in the ice. While Martha is certain she knows what happened the night of the assault, she suspects that the two crimes are linked, and that there is more to both cases than meets the eye. Over the course of one long, hard winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Marthas diary lands at the center of the scandal and threatens to tear both her family and her community apart. In her newest offering, Ariel Lawhon brings to life a brave and compassionate unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice on behalf of those no one else would protect. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story of a remarkable woman who had the courage to take a stand, and in the process wrote herself into American history.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
kspenmoll
post image
Pickpick

It is winter in Hallowell,Maine,a community on the Kennebunk River.Beautiful,lyrical writing,historical fiction at its best.A local midwife,Martha Ballard,becomes involved in a rape trial because she treated the battered & bruised woman who was raped by 2 men.Martha remains steadfast & true to her daily medicinal diary observations & her voice,despite some peoples efforts to silence her.Murder,deception, & dissension follow.#auldlangspine

kspenmoll Thank you so much Jenn- just loved everything about this beautiful book. 3d
CBee I adored this book! One of the last ones I read in 2024 and a favorite of the year! 3d
TiredLibrarian Loved this book! Hosted a great book discussion on it, too - there's so much in it to discuss! 3d
kspenmoll @TiredLibrarian Totally agree with you! 2d
kspenmoll @CBee So far my favorite book in January! 2d
70 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
SilversReviews
post image

Thank you @bookbrowse and @penguinrandomhouse for a copy of this book for discussion on https://www.bookbrowse.com/

blurb
kspenmoll
post image

I just love this image of a meandering mind. 🩵🩵
#auldlangspine

Julsmarshall I love their relationship so much in the book, how the love and care for one another, challenge and really see each other for who they are. So amazing! 1w
49 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
Loanne
post image

The body floats downstream.

#firstlinefriday

review
Julsmarshall
post image
Pickpick

So good! Captivating and powerful, Lawhon‘s novel is a gripping read that you won‘t want to put down. Based on a true story of a midwife in 18th century America, I loved this strong, courageous woman who was fighting for justice and truth, no matter what it takes. This is a story of resilience, compassion, family, and the relentless pursuit of equality. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1w
55 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
rejoicinrobyn
Pickpick

Great read, I love a good historical fiction.

blurb
TracyReadsBooks
post image

#12Booksof2024

Hard to believe we‘re already up to November with our list—so fun sorting through everything I read and picking favorites. Hard too, but this month was an easy one. Loved this story about a midwife in late 18th c. Maine. Once I started I found it impossible to put down. Setting and characters—with plenty of people to love and/or hate—were fantastic. A great high stakes story that keeps you engaged from page one.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 The year has soon passed! This one looks good. 2w
21 likes1 comment
review
sblbooks
post image
Pickpick

I received this as a Christmas gift this year. Book number one of 2025. The reading year has started off strong.

bookandbedandtea This was the first book I read of 2024 and it ended up being my favorite book of the whole year. 2w
sblbooks @bookandbedandtea I can see why. It's definitely going near the top for me. 2w
47 likes2 comments
blurb
CSeydel
post image

Started this yesterday and it‘s gripping so far. But I‘m only on p.24 and already distracted by historical details. A character shows up in a small Maine village claiming to be “a licensed physician and recent graduate of Harvard Medical School,” which is … weird. Medical licensing wasn‘t a widespread practice until the 1800s, and the book takes place in 1789. Plus, a “recent graduate” would have to do an apprenticeship before being licensed.

Lcsmcat I hate when historical fiction pulls me out of the story with anachronisms! I hope that doesn‘t continue because this is coming up for my book club in a few months. 3w
CSeydel @Lcsmcat It can also be tricky for an author when reality was different than our modern perceptions of the past. I did a brief online search, and it seems that Massachusetts may have already had a medical society that was licensing physicians at that time, even though it wasn‘t legally mandated. I am taking it to mean this character is trying to show off how modern and urban he is compared to the backwoods villagers. (edited) 3w
Lcsmcat @CSeydel So true! I need to check my assumptions. But I‘m also aware that no one can research everything, and when something is one‘s speciality things jump out that most people wouldn‘t even notice. A book that was otherwise great was ruined for a friend because the title referenced an intersection in her hometown of two streets that actually run parallel to each other. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3w
CSeydel @Lcsmcat Oh no! Yep, that stuff always bothers me too much 3w
52 likes4 comments
blurb
Julsmarshall
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image

January Bookspinbingo board is complete! Bookspin is also my #readordonate and my Doublespin will be a new book, likely The Will of the Many, my #jolabokaflod gift from @Gissy So many litsy connections this month! @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair

julieclair I will be reading The Frozen River with my IRL book club in April. Looking forward to your review! 3w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 3w
Gissy I will also wait for your review. That book is in my wish list. I was tempted to buy a copy for me but I behaved😌I should understand that I cannot buy double books for each swap I participate🤣 3w
39 likes3 comments
blurb
bookandbedandtea
post image

I haven't finished The Main Character yet but I may not finish today (stupid job 😄) and I can tell it isn't going to knock The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year off the podium so I'm calling it and finishing my bracket. As I've suspected all year, nothing was able to top my very first read of 2024- though Greta & Valdin came very close.
Bring on 2025 🎉

review
CaitlinR
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image
Pickpick

Martha Ballard is an 18th Century midwife living in Hallowell, Maine. Lawhon has written a fictional account of a harrowing winter in the life of Mrs. Ballard, a real woman known to us through her diary and a Pulitzer winning biography. The novel is driven on its‘ arc through the account of a horrific rape and Martha‘s quest for justice for the female victim.

Exceptionally researched, and well written. The characters will be hard to forget.

blurb
bookandbedandtea
post image

#12booksof2024 January favorite
@Andrew65

BarbaraBB Lived this one too 4w
Andrew65 Looks good. 4w
bookandbedandtea @BarbaraBB I think it's my favorite of the year ☺️ 3w
27 likes3 comments
blurb
Susanita
post image

Last week I forgot to post, so this week I‘m doing my #hyggehourreadathon a little early. I‘m tucked away in a corner of the cafe at a little local shopping area. I just had a yummy chicken and avocado sandwich, and I‘m nursing a raspberry mocha latte. There‘s Christmas music softly playing. And across the cafe a family is conversing in what I think is Italian. I just have one more gift to buy before I go home to wrap. But first, latte and book!

kspenmoll Sounds lovely! 🩵 1mo
Chrissyreadit perfection 🩵💙🩵 1mo
29 likes2 comments
blurb
Susanita
post image

1. After Libby said it would be two more weeks, I got a notification that I could check out the tagged book.
2. The Crime Writers of Color podcast is back after a long hiatus.
3. I got together with a friend for dinner and a movie.
4. We enjoyed War of the Rohirrim!
5. I bought a new wet-dry floor cleaner.
#5joysfriday

review
CBee
post image
Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant. I‘ll always love a story about a badass female heroine, but Martha Ballard is more than that and the author‘s love for her emanates from every page. It isn‘t an easy book to read, but seems necessary, especially considering the state of women‘s rights today. The fact that events in 1790 could parallel anything in 2024 - baffling. Anyway, read this, y‘all!

CBee @CSeydel this didn‘t make it onto my list but it would have, had I finished it in time for sign up! 2mo
CSeydel 👀📝✍️ 2mo
CSeydel 53 holds at my library! We‘ll see if I get it before the end of January 2mo
See All 6 Comments
CBee @CSeydel if not, I‘m happy to send it to you!! 2mo
CSeydel Oh wow! Thanks! If it comes that, I‘ll happily pay the postage. 2mo
CBee @CSeydel no need, it would be my gift to you 😊 Just let me know! 2mo
70 likes3 stack adds6 comments
blurb
CBee
post image

@AmyG have you read this?

CBee Also, @TheBookHippie - have you read it? 2mo
TheBookHippie I cannot. But I hear it‘s good. I don‘t generally read horrific things I‘ve lived through IRL unless it‘s nonfiction and it serves a purpose to help someone else or myself. 2mo
CBee @TheBookHippie ohhhh okay. I understand ♥️ It is really good and based on a real person. But there are parts that are difficult to read 😢 2mo
See All 15 Comments
TheBookHippie @CBee I see my therapist twice a year, she hands me a DO NOT READ list if she‘s read something that is a hard stop. This was a NO NO NO. (edited) 2mo
AmyG I have not read it. I also love to read about horrific things…even if I have experienced them. Just not anything Alzheimer‘s as my mom and Grandfather had that. Hugs @TheBookHippie (edited) 2mo
CBee @TheBookHippie you have a great therapist! 2mo
CBee @AmyG you‘d like it, I think! 2mo
TheBookHippie @CBee she retires after my next appointment - she‘s 80. 🤯 2mo
CBee @TheBookHippie oh wow!! That‘s dedication ♥️ 2mo
TheBookHippie @CBee no kids, we are her kids I think 😂😅. She hasn‘t taken new clients in many years. 2mo
CBee @TheBookHippie how awesome that you found her ♥️ 2mo
TheBookHippie @CBee twas fate. 2mo
BarbaraBB The book is very good 🤍 2mo
CBee @BarbaraBB it is excellent. Very powerful. 2mo
45 likes1 stack add15 comments
blurb
Susanita
post image

This is a January selection for book club. #sundayfunday

BookmarkTavern Sounds interesting! Thanks for posting! 2mo
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Kboltz
post image
Pickpick

For some reason the start of this book was slow for me. I knew I had to finish it and once you do ..😳😢 Loved the authors notes on the real life midwife Martha Ballard and the story she wrote based on her daily diaries in 1789. Women were always strong and continue to fight.

review
TracyReadsBooks
post image
Pickpick

Excellent historical fiction inspired by the life of a very interesting woman—a great story made all that much more meaningful by the author‘s note at the end. The story is set in 1789 and is about a death with far reaching consequences for many of the residents in the town of Hallowell. When midwife Martha Ballard‘s determination it is in fact murder is disregarded, she sets out to find the truth. Great character, setting, mystery. Loved it.

review
RoseMallow
Pickpick

A mystery that kept me on my toes to the very end .I enjoyed it

blurb
TracyReadsBooks
post image

Mornings are just better when I can find a few minutes for coffee and a book. Started this one last night and I really like it so far.

review
TorieStorieS
post image
Pickpick

This was my book club‘s pick for the month— a solid piece of historical fiction set in Maine just over a decade past the Revolutionary War. Based on the life of midwife Martha Ballard, Martha makes for a strong heroine in a time when respect for a woman is hard won and rare. She gets involved in a murder investigation while seeking justice for a friend, with flashes into her own past. Her husband‘s perfection, however, is the larger mystery! 🤣

BarbaraBB Haha I just read this too and yes, he is absolutely perfect! 3mo
TorieStorieS @BarbaraBB My book club had a good laugh about him, that‘s for sure! We were split between the eye-rollers about him and those that just loved his perfection! 🤣 3mo
35 likes2 comments
review
RiversEve
Pickpick

OMG what a good story and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that‘s it‘s based on a real midwife!! 5 stars!!

6 likes1 stack add
review
LazyLibrary
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of the best reads of 2024. Historical fiction at its finest.

blurb
RiversEve

Can‘t wait to get into this!

review
GerardtheBookworm
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image
Pickpick

There was so much buzz surrounding this title that I've been putting it off until now! Based on the life of the real colonial midwife, Martha Ballard, this historical fiction novel takes place in late 1700's Maine. When a body is fished from the icy river, Ballard is called upon for her medical expertise and journals exposing corruption and a sexual assault cover-up of its residents. Compelling read of feminism and women's health at the time.

BarbaraBB I really liked this one too. 3mo
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
vlwelser
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this quite a lot. My current manager lives in the same town in Maine where this takes place. Otherwise this would not have been front and center on my radar. I think I liked it more than the author's previous books. Historical fiction + murder mystery. Already recommended it to my aunt.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

BkClubCare I liked it HUGELY more than the other Lawhon book I‘ve read. #justsayin 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
52 likes2 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
post image

#WeeklyFavorites

This week favorite must be The Frozen River, very well written and engaging historical fiction.
Looking back at September, I think Water is my favorite for the month.

Read4life I really enjoyed The Frozen River. 4mo
Suet624 Oh great. Now I need to find two more books! Frozen river and Water. Turns out that Boyne book is only available to order from Blackwells. It‘s not available in the US. 4mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 That‘s so strange, he‘s well-read in the US too, right? Will you order it or wait for the US release? 4mo
Suet624 I‘ll order it in October. My budget for September was a bit overextended. 😊 4mo
Suet624 And local booksellers can‘t figure out why it‘s not been published here yet. 4mo
62 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
TheQuietQuill
post image

I had to drop my mom off at the airport for 3:30 am, so I‘m getting some much needed reading and relaxation time before the rest of my family wakes up ❤️ These last few weeks, I‘ve had no time to myself so this is a blessing 🙏🏻

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 4mo
60 likes1 comment
review
BarbaraBB
post image
Pickpick

From the first page I was drawn into the lives of midwife Martha, her (perfect) family and the not so perfect community of Hallowell in which she lives and works. There is murder and rape, gossip and fraud. While the winter freezes the river, Martha seeks justice for women who have traditionally been the underdog in the community. She‘s such an admirable woman and I loved spending time with her.

sarahbarnes Great review! Sounds fabulous. 4mo
74 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Kshakal
post image

Thanks for the tag @Read4life and @Eggs

#wonderouswednesday

1. Knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of my students
2. Spending time with my friends and family
3. Done

@Mommamanzi @Pageturner1 @KateReadsYA

Eggs Wasn‘t Frozen River great? 👍🏼 I loved the relationship between Martha and her husband 5mo
29 likes1 comment
review
Kshakal
post image
Pickpick

I am in love with this book and while this is a historical fiction (which I love), sometimes the super historical ones don‘t hit for me… so not the case here! Based on the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife in the 1700‘s, this book grabbed me from the first page and didn‘t let go!!

Lizpixie #stacked Sounds great! 5mo
36 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
Floresj
post image
Pickpick

Good historical fiction book based on a diary of a midwife in the 1700s. Lots of characters, emphasis on the secrets told to the midwife. Engaging.

20 likes1 stack add
blurb
Eggs
post image

A package of lovely surprises today💌📦💌 from @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @Read4life and @TieDyeDude ❣️I really wanted to read The Photo Album!! Thanks y‘all🙏🏻

#LitsyLove 🧡🧡

Read4life 💙💌💙 5mo
Eggs @Read4life 🥳🥰😘 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 5mo
Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🫶🏻🩶📚 5mo
60 likes4 comments
review
Hilary427
post image
Pickpick

A low pick for me - it was about 100 pages too long. And I, for the life of me, had the HARDEST time remembering the “J” names! I literally made a list of them 😂 But a gripping story! (37)
⭐️: 3.5/5

23 likes1 stack add
review
Twainy
post image
Pickpick

Gripping! Literate Midwife (Martha) delivered babies and comforts a friend, a victim of rape in the late 1700‘s. I loved Martha & Ephram‘s relationship. A novel based on a true story.

Great audiobook! I listened strait through. Captivated!

I recommend the audiobook!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

34 likes2 stack adds
review
Yahui07
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image
Pickpick

Have not read a book I enjoyed such much for a while until this one. An engrossing story and beautiful written. Also, my first e book. A good sign😍😍

review
SheilaChew
post image
Pickpick

This novel, inspired by the real diaries of midwife Martha Ballard, is such good reading. I couldn‘t put it down.

review
Daily
Pickpick

If you enjoy historical novels with rich stories and strong character development, you definitely want to experience The Frozen River. The audiobook format enriches the already incredible story and you feel as though you are along with Hope on her journey to Silver Lake......
Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6535855813

blurb
bookandbedandtea
post image

It's been a good book year, so far. 😊 At this point, The Frozen River is my winner.

GinaKButler The Frozen River is my favorite of the year also! 7mo
Cathythoughts Sounds great. Stacked 👍🏻♥️ 7mo
bookandbedandtea @GinaKButler I have a feeling it's going to be on many Best Of lists this year! 7mo
bookandbedandtea @Cathythoughts I hope you enjoy it! 💜 7mo
22 likes4 comments
blurb
SheilaChew
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image

The second library stack of summer! 🩷☀️📚

Anyone else having troubles with Litsy? I had to delete the app and reinstall it because nothing was working. Now it‘s ok - thankfully!!!

18 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
nitalibrarian
post image

May was a great reading month for me. I loved many of the books I read.
The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love 5⭐️
The Unraveling 4⭐️
The Ministry of Time 5⭐️
Prinal Mirror 4⭐️
The Frozen River 5⭐️ --> #BookSpin
Just for the Summer 5⭐️
The Five Year Lie 4⭐️
Happy Medium 3⭐️
A Feather So Black 4⭐️

I had one bingo for #BookSpinBingo!

blurb
Allbymyshelf
post image

My weekend reads - The Frozen River (historical fiction mystery) and Set Boundaries, Find Peace (everyone should read this book!)

I‘ve been locked out of my Litsy account for the past year due to the Facebook login issues. Starting over…

#historicalfiction #backonlitsy #weekendreads

Crazeedi Oh no! That's awful, but glad you're here 8mo
CarolynM Welcome back😀 8mo
DebinHawaii Welcome back to Litsy! 🎉📚🎉 8mo
12 likes3 comments
review
Amie
Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon
post image
Pickpick

Wow. This was intense and emotional and immersive. I've read this author's other books and this is far and away her best. She clearly poured her heart and soul into this book.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one! 8mo
42 likes1 comment
review
nitalibrarian
post image
Pickpick

I loved this one. It was more historical fiction than mystery, which I'm very OK with. It takes place in late 1700s Maine and our protagonist, Martha, is a midwife. It starts when Martha is asked to examine a body found in the river. A lot happens from there both in her family and in the community. I adore Martha. And I adore her marriage with Ephraim.

Hooked_on_books I‘m a big fan of Lawhon. My favorite of hers is Code Name Helene. I know WWII historical fiction is oversaturated, but it is so good. 8mo
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
nitalibrarian
post image

Starting this one now. I'm in the perfect mood for a historical mystery.

quote
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

“This is what it means to age, I think. The days are long, but the years are short.”

#River
#StorySettings

Eggs Beautiful 🩵🩵 on my Litsy TBR! 9mo
67 likes1 comment