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

Read this book for my book club. Really enjoyed it. Very reminiscent of Outlander. Main character is 55 yo midwife in small Massachusetts village along the banks of a frozen river. She is very clever and through her duties and friendships gets involved in an investigation of a murder. The murdered man is accused of brutally raping one of her friends. There are lots of twists and turns and I didn’t guess the murderer until near the end. I’m not usually a fan of murder mysteries but this one was very well written, lots of historical details about life in 1790, and the legal system back then. Highly recommend.

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 by Ariel Lawhon follows Martha a midwife and healer as she navigates motherhood, her career, secrets, and murder in 1789 Maine. She pursues the truth, speaks her mind, and is fiercely loyal!This has been on my TBR for so long and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it. I read it in one sitting and was absolutely captivated.There are heavy subjects in this but there was also love, compassion, and family. The relationship between Martha and her husband was so heartwarming. They were meant for each other.I cannot recommend this enough. Especially if you love historical fiction, mystery, and a kernel of truth as this was inspired by a real woman in the 18th century.

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.

I absolutely adore historical fiction, and Ariel Lawhon made the story jump right off the page. I could not put this book down. This story was so fascinating I found myself recommending the book to anyone who crossed my path. The ending shocked me so much that I spent the next five minutes staring at the page in utter disbelief. This book is a must read for anyone! I promise you will not be disappointed.

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 had never heard of Ariel Lawhon before but I'll definitely keep her on my radar now.Martha was a great protagonist: smart, witty, driven and had no problem inserting herself into any situation (though, there were a few times where I had to suspend disbelief). On top of that, many of the characters felt distinctive. A few women did blend in a bit but that had more to do with the time period, as most were homemakers and wives.This isn't a murder mystery full of twists where you're trying to play detective. Instead, it's interesting because of Martha's dogged ability to keep searching for answers, despite her role as a woman being a detriment at the time. I found the writing snappy and would pick up the book, even if I only had a few minutes.It's very enjoyable and I'd recommend to any who like books with strong female leads.

I was skeptical at first. A book set in the 1700s isn’t usually my thing. It was a bit slow right at first. But a few chapters in I was hooked. Love the strong female character and her husband who supported her. Had a bit of mystery to it too. The author has a way of painting a picture of the scene with words. I really enjoyed this book.