The Frozen River | Ariel Lawhon

The Frozen River: A Novel

Extended Synopsis

In the harsh winter of 1789 Maine, the Kennebec River freezes solid, entombing a man in the ice. Martha Ballard, a local midwife and healer, is summoned to examine the body and determine the cause of death. Privy to the closely guarded secrets of Hallowell, Martha meticulously records every birth, death, and crime in her diary. Months prior, she documented an alleged rape committed by two of the town's most respected gentlemen—one of whom is now the man found dead in the frozen river.

When a local physician undermines Martha's medical conclusion and declares the death a tragic accident, she is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. As the trial nears and local prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves and forcing her to decide where her loyalties truly lie. Clever, layered, and subversive, The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender historical mystery about a remarkable woman who refused to accept anything less than justice in an era when women were expected to be seen and not heard.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of historical fiction looking for meticulously researched mysteries based on real-world figures.
• Readers who enjoy strong, brave, and outspoken heroines, similar to Claire Fraser in Outlander.
• Book clubs seeking layered, suspenseful narratives that provoke discussion on justice, gender roles, and history.

About the Author

Ariel Lawhon is a critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author known for her sweeping historical novels, including I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène. She is widely celebrated for her ability to breathe vivid life into historical heroines and transform forgotten histories into gripping, page-turning fiction.

Accolades & Awards

The Frozen River is a Good Morning America (GMA) Book Club Pick and an NPR Book of the Year. It has garnered widespread critical acclaim, with The Washington Post praising the heroine's brave and outspoken nature, and People Magazine noting that "Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine."

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