An excellently researched, well plotted novel that is inspired by the historical figure of Martha Ballard, a mid-wife.

This was an extremely absorbing and enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed reading about the brave women and midwifery in history. The relationship between Martha and her husband is a beautiful one, filled with love and care.

It is quite a long novel and I thought it could have benefitted with developing some of the characters further, I am thinking here especially of Martha's children.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I was lucky to receive a paperback copy of The Frozen River from my daughter who bought it for me in New York. The book was a bestseller there and all the bookshops had displays in their windows. Then I received an arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
As Ariel Lawhon explains The Frozen River is inspired by real events as opposed to being based on them. Martha Ballard was a midwife in Maine in the late 1700’s who delivered over a thousand babies in her career and never lost a mother in childbirth..
The story begins in 1789 when Martha is summoned to examine a body entombed in the Ice. This is a remarkable story which I really enjoyed. I have taken one star off because I don’t like romance in a good story and though some of it is necessary I found it a bit too much. Just my preference.
Thank you to Netgalley and a big thank you to my daughter for my early paperback.

5⭐️

I was drawn to this book from all the buzz on social media. The hype is real, it really is one that you don’t want to miss out on.

Historical 17th century fiction with the main character a midwife and healer inspired by Martha Ballard who also kept a diary providing historians great insight into the life of Colonial women. This is a fictional account of a 6 month time frame in her life one winter while the river was frozen.

There’s a mystery which falls into Martha’s lap. It immediately drew me in, I love the writing style which has an informal chatty style about it, it gives a feeling of the era without all the old English, so it’s an easy read.
There are quite a few references to Shakespeare who was popular in the US at the time, but it doesn’t detract from the story’s premise.

I was absolutely drawn into Martha’s world, the harshness of the life, the struggle of women to have a voice, the mystery created. I loved this book so much! It’s in my books of the year.
It’s worth reading the authors notes to see how much is based on fact and how much fiction. X

You don’t need to love historical fiction to love this book. It’s very character driven, the characterisation is superb. I’m now keen to read more by this author.

Ariel Lawhon’s *The Frozen River* is a beautifully crafted historical novel that blends mystery, resilience, and rich period detail. Set in 18th-century Maine, the story follows Martha Ballard, a midwife whose meticulous record-keeping and sharp instincts lead her to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death. Lawhon captures the challenges of a woman navigating justice in a world dominated by men.

The Frozen River is a gripping and thought-provoking novel. The novel seamlessly weaves themes of justice, gender, and survival, making it a compelling read for historical fiction fans. Martha’s story lingers long after the final page—a testament to Lawhon’s talent for breathing life into the past.

The Frozen River follows the story of a midwife, Martha Ballard, in 18th Century Maine as she goes about her life in her local town. I found this book to be well researched and coherently written, it really gave you a taste of life, especially for women, in colonial America. The world building really helped you picture life along the Kennebec River and how ordinary town residents lived their lives.

The story was riveting, with the plot twist of a murder thrown in, as well as showing how the early American justice system worked for its citizens. It really highlights the mysogany faced by women in this society and the strength that they had in such adverse conditions. The more I read, the more I was compelled by Martha's story and that of her family. Martha is portrayed as a strong woman, a pillar in the local community and one that seeks to best support others anyway she can. Some of the side characters, especially those in her family, also stood out in this story and I found myself rooting for some of the fledging courtships

Overall, this book really reminded me of why I have such a love of historical fiction and the importance of telling the stories based in the past. I would thoroughly recommend it to any historical fiction lovers, or those who enjoy stories based around strong women.

With thanks to NetGalley and Swift Press for an early Kindle copy of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of historical fiction based on true events.

Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer in 1600s Maine, is a strong and resilient character. Despite her troubled past, she dedicates herself to her community and is a devoted wife and mother.

The story begins with a rape and murder—a body found in the frozen Kennebec River during one of Maine’s harshest winters. As events unfold, the novel explores the early justice system and the deep-rooted misogyny that shaped women’s lives, often making them bear the consequences of men’s actions.

This would probably have been a five-star read last year but I am trying to save that honour for only a very few outstanding novels, this would be a 4.5 if I were allowed!

A historical mystery based on true events set in the early years of colonial America. Beautifully researched, I enjoyed the storytelling and the resilience of women in a male dominated society. My late mother, a midwife, would have been absorbed as was I in the medical details and the role of healer.