The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick

This book reads as a historical fiction but it is about a real woman, Martha Ballard. She was a very impressive woman in colonial Maine. This was an easy read, and I came away with knowing much more of women's lives in the late 1700s and what they had to deal with. I have recommended this book to my friends

I picked up this book to enjoy on a 10-day vacation, and read it entirely on Day 1. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.

This is a great and wonderful booK. I loved the rare mix of medicine, mystery, and bravery in an intelligent woman.

This story is told by the main character, Martha Ballard, a midwife in Maine in 1789. She is a remarkable woman and I am amazed to hear this story is inspired by the life of a real woman of the same name. She tells it in a very matter of fact way and recounts 6 months in her life and the lives of the people in her town. I found it very nuanced and was completely engrossed in their story. Highly recommend it.

This book takes the reader back to life in colonial America but for once you get to see things from a woman's perspective. And the woman is a real midwife and the story is very closely based on her daily diary that she kept for 27 years. The writing is clear and the the main character's voice is convincing and authentic. Enjoyed it very much.

Fast delivery. Just finished reading and loved the book.A bit of fiction and non fiction. nice writing style with life lessons of non judgement and kindness. I plan to read more of this writer's books.

I loved this book and plan toPut it in my book club. The story was beautifully written and full of many hardships with the heroine and her family. The book starts out with a body frozen in ice and reallyPIcks up from there.

A look into early America as a murder unfolds in a small New England town. A warm and caring midwife struggles to understand the events experienced by her patients, family and town members as this event touches their lives.

This book is based on the life of a real midwife and is hard to put down. She is dealing with issues that still affect us today. A real page turner!

I had no idea what path this book would lead me to, and I’m so glad I took the walk. Bouncing back and forth in time but clearly defined dates at the start of chapters helped maintain my flow of the story. Vivid descriptions kept me in the moment and the interwoven tales were very interesting. I hated having to put it down to do other things (called life!). A fascinating story and look at daily life in a new nation.

Really enjoyed this. 4.5 stars. Loved the perspective of the midwife, and the details about archaic 18th century justice. I thought the ending was a little “neat”, but nonetheless found it satisfying. Interesting characters, purposeful historical detail, and a compelling plot made for a terrific read.

Great character development. The facts are well intertwined with the fiction. I think many women can relate to Martha Ballard or would want to have her as an advocate. The balance between her hard work and her relationships makes this an easy book to read. Ephraim is a perfect partner.I bought this book for a Book Club meeting but was intrigued by the locations. I grew up in a town next to Oxford, Massachusetts and I spend two weeks in the fall near the Kennebec River. Both locations are dear to me, making it even easier to relate to Martha. Although it takes place more than 200 years ago, the human behavior isn't much different. There are mean girls, bigots, power-hungry angry white men in charge and kind-hearted people. The author created a beautiful picture of being in a small village along the frozen river in Maine. Revenge is a powerful tool.

This historical fiction book has been living in my mind for weeks. Even though the setting is late 1800s, several things still hold today. This is the "backwoods," when wilderness was a force to be dealt with. Strong, independent women still stand out, just as Martha did. The setting is one I had not had the opportunity to read about before (Upper New England), and the weather conditions and transportation truly add to the story. Unfortunately, so do the "forever-present wealthy wielding power over the common people via corruption" lifestyle prevail.

I loved this book and the story it told. The main character was so enjoyable. I would want this person as a friend. Or a midwife. . I enjoyed this book from page one to the very end. I rarely rate books and can't wait to check out her other novels

I loved the author’s development of each character. Everybody needs an “Ephraim” in their life— whether friend or lover. He stood out to me as the most loveable character. The Ballard family unity and dynamics was so refreshing to me in this time of disconnect and disrespect for seniors. To see people care for each other was uplifting and inspired me.After finding out that Martha Ballard was a real person who lived in the 1700s and the main crime theme really happened as Martha served others as a midwife, I was thought this story needed to be told. I think there was a balance of arrogant men vs men who had morals and principles. Even though it was a woman-power book, there was no men bashing— only real life scenarios of the GOOD, the bad and the ugly of human nature. I loved, loved, loved this story.

This is a recommended book for my book club. I LOVED IT!! It has 445 pages. I found it a fairly fast read. Martha Ballard is a midwife, back in the 1700's. The story made me gasp, cheer, cry & smile. It also made you think. It is based on a true story. I really enjoyed it. The characters come to life & I found it easy to imagine. It's also a mystery. A man is found in a frozen river. Martha is very intelligent, but because it's in the 1700's, the misogynist men don't respect her. I highly recommend this book! Enjoy!

The Frozen River gripped me from the very first page. Ariel Lawhon weaves a suspenseful, atmospheric historical fiction that’s as chilling as the icy Kennebec River at its heart. Set in 1789 Maine, this novel is inspired by the real-life Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer whose diary became an invaluable historical record—and here, Lawhon transforms her into a formidable protagonist who’s part detective, part mother, and entirely unforgettable.The plot centers around the murder of a man found frozen in the river, and as Martha pieces together what happened, secrets about the townspeople (and even her own family) unravel like threads in a quilt. It’s layered with mystery, grit, and quiet resilience. I found myself admiring Martha’s strength, especially as a woman navigating a male-dominated world—and not just surviving, but outsmarting them.

The Frozen River pulled me in from the very first page. I loved Martha’s strength and resilience—she was ahead of her time and determined to seek justice no matter the cost. The historical detail was so rich, I felt like I was right there in 18th-century Maine. The depth of the characters and the gripping storyline kept me turning pages late into the night. I was so hooked I even found myself digging deep into Google, searching for more history and images of life back then. Knowing it was inspired by true events made it even more powerful. A must-read for historical fiction lovers!

I have been in a slump lately when trying to find a good read. I started and stopped several books. I switched genres. I was desperate and re-read a couple of ones again. So I didn't have any great hopes when this was recommended. The first 20-30 pages were slow going as I kept getting interrupted by life in general. So one evening, I was determined to read at least an hour. Which, I will stay up all night for a book I really like. Once I was able to get into it, of course, I was sold on the story. You think you have all the answers for the ending, but you really don't. I highly recommend this book. Well written with great characters. The time frame and setting provide an interesting backdrop.

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.