The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel

The Frozen River is a beautifully written, chillingly atmospheric historical mystery that completely captivated me from beginning to end. Ariel Lawhon masterfully blends real historical figures and events with a gripping murder investigation, creating a rich, immersive world that feels both intimate and expansive.At the heart of the novel is Martha Ballard, a midwife in 18th-century Maine, whose voice is one of quiet strength, wisdom, and determination. Her meticulous observations, dedication to justice, and sharp intellect make her a compelling protagonist. I loved how Lawhon brought her diary entries and historical life to vivid reality, giving voice to a woman who might otherwise have remained a footnote in history.The icy, brutal winter setting adds an extra layer of tension to the already taut mystery. The pacing is perfect, with every chapter deepening the intrigue and revealing more layers of both the crime and the complex social dynamics of the time—especially around justice, gender, and power.If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads, rich period detail, and a touch of mystery, The Frozen River is not to be missed. It’s a stunning portrait of resilience, truth, and the cost of doing what’s right in a world that often punishes those who try.

Ariel Lawhon is an established, best-selling novelist focusing on historical stories. THE FROZEN RIVER is my first experience with her work. The story is set in Maine in the late 1700s, and follows our hero, Martha Ballard, as she plies her trade (midwife) while navigating the political and social structures of that time. It should be noted that Martha and the many characters in this story were real—Martha herself being a famous figure for delivering over 1000 babies without loss of either baby or mother. Many of the events surrounding these characters in the novel are actual historical events. The story itself is fiction, of course, and the author lets us know in an epilogue how she wove both fact and fiction together.The story (kinda) revolves around a body (a man) found in the frozen Kennebec River, which is soon to be determined a murder. We soon discover the dead man is one of two suspects in the rape of one of Martha’s friends. I say “kinda” because the body is soon forgotten in favor of the rape accusation. The other suspect in the rape is a prominent judge (judge North) who is involved in various, nefarious business dealings around the area which connect to Martha and many of the locals. Martha is a key participant in the rape trial as she was the first to examine the victim.The writing is superb, and we can see why Lawhon is a best seller. Her characters (with the exception of North) are beautifully rendered with exceptional attention to personality and motivation. There are no stereotypes here. Lawhon’s writing is flows effortlessly, reveals intimately yet never gets in the way of the story. Lawhon’s not trying to impress us with her ability. So well done.That said, there are a couple of weaknesses to this story. As alluded above, there is not a strong driver—backbone—to propel the events. That is, the plot is weak and almost non-existent. We start with the murder (the body found in the river), but that is quickly gets forgotten in favor or the rape trial. This is all interspersed between the many births Martha attends. I you like “Call the Midwife” you’ll love this book. Even the trial isn’t that big of a compelling factor. I kept asking myself what’s on the line for the main character? What needs to the resolved? Heck, why are we here? Judge North, unlike the other characters is a one-dimensional bad guy from the start. I kept hoping the author would flip something on us, or spring some sort of surprise, but nope.Another weakness (very minor) is over-research. I expect the author to do her research to make it an authentic as possible, but I don’t want to be hit over the head by it. Multiple pages of how to make candles should’ve been rethought.The author has modernized several aspects of the main character and speech patterns of the time. Martha’s morals and attitudes would fit in well today. That’s ok, in this case. The author has to make the story and characters as palatable to readers as possible. It’s all about the sales.

It’s well written, great characters, several small and one large mystery. Caution: the plot does involve a rape. And the depiction of the consequences are heart breaking, although the denouement is satisfying.

The Frozen River is a masterclass in historical fiction. Ariel Lawhon weaves a gripping tale full of suspense, resilience, and richly drawn characters. The atmosphere is icy and intense, perfectly capturing the stark beauty of the setting and the strength of the heroine. I was completely immersed from page one—this book has heart, history, and just the right amount of mystery. A must-read for fans of strong women and layered storytelling.

The story is based on true events bringing to life the settlement of Hollowell Maine after the Revolutionary war in America.Martha Ballard was a mid wife in the community who kept an actual diary that documents the events of her family and community at the time.An eye-opening story which highlights the time’s legal system, the lives of community builders in a fledging country and the lives and rights of women. A great read!

Really loved this book! All the twists and turns of the story and a most gratifying ending!This is another of the Biographical Fictions - becoming my favorite genre. Based on a real person, Martha Ballard was smart, headstrong, consistent, determined and it was nice to read about her and her husband, Ephraim, having such a loving life together. Most Historical Fiction novels usually deal with strife and hard times. But Martha and Ephraim’s lives seemed happy. There were incidents throughout and some bad people but they always came back together.Be sure and read the authors acknowledgements at the end. She cleared up several questions I had throughout the book. Very informative with actual knowledge of the real Martha Ballard and her diaries.Great book. Definitely recommended.