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Ariel Lawhon

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

by Ariel Lawhon (Author) Format: Paperback

(119,687)

Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GMA BOOK CLUB PICK • AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.

"Fans of Outlander’s Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive."—The Washington Post

"Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." —People Magazine

Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.

Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

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Print length

464 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Vintage
Publication date

November 5, 2024
Dimensions

5.18 x 1.03 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0593312074
ISBN-13

978-0593312070

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From the Publisher

International Bestseller The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

	I Was Anastasia	Flight of Dreams: A Novel	The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress	Code Name Hélène: A Novel	The Pirate Queen: A Novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The F...

Customer Reviews	4,662	2,035	5,061	14,251	—
Price	$10.01	$11.50	$9.98	$16.00	$22.40
	An enthralling feat of historical suspense that unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson's fifty-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the Russian Grand Duchess or the thief of another woman's legacy?	A suspenseful, heart-wrenching novel that brings the fateful voyage of the Hindenburg to life.	A “genuinely surprising whodunit” (USA Today) that tantalizingly reimagines a scandalous murder mystery that rocked the nation.	Based on the thrilling real-life story of a socialite spy and astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII.	A sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. Venture onto the high seas with the thrilling latest from the bestselling author of The Frozen River.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An NPR Best Book of 2023

“The narrator of Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River is another stalwart heroine. . .detailed descriptions of the routines of village life give this narrative its intimate sense of connection — and set [the narrator] up for a pivotal confrontation.” --The New York Times Book Review

"Fans of 'Outlander’s' Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive." --The Washington Post

“Compelling . . .a most uncozy mystery that addresses the unbalanced power dynamics of men and women, rich and poor.” --NPR, Weekend Edition

“Martha Ballard is not just a Maine midwife who’s never lost a patient. She’s also a truth speaker and a justice seeker in an era when women can’t even testify in court. . .Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine.” --People Magazine, Book of the Week

“[Lawhon’s] gripping tale…feels like an authentic foray into the past and her wonderful heroine rings true. Indeed, Martha is so vividly rendered that it is hard not to become absorbed in her narrative and emotionally invested in her life. . . Martha’s journal entries flesh out further this tough, brave and resourceful woman. Her valiant fight against the evil that men do makes for a winning blend of fact and fiction.” --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Part murder mystery, part historical fiction . . . this novel has a gothic, wintry feel that makes it an ideal fireside read.” --Real Simple

"A richly satisfying drama . . . A vivid, exciting page-turner from one of our most interesting authors of historical fiction.” --Kirkus, starred review

“Outstanding. . . Martha is an extraordinary character. . . Lawhon's first-rate tale should entrance readers passionate about early America and women’s history.” --Booklist, starred review

“Atmospheric, unique and elegantly written, The Frozen River will satisfy mystery lovers and historical fiction enthusiasts alike.” --BookPage, starred review

“Gripping. . . Examines the ripple effects of a crime in a small community—and paints a striking portrait of a woman devoted to healing and justice. . . Lawhon draws on the real Martha Ballard’s diary to construct her narrative, which contains a number of breathless twists and a large cast of hardscrabble characters. . . Lawhon’s novel is a riveting story of small-town justice and a fitting tribute to a quiet, determined heroine.” --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A propulsive historical thriller with a contemporary sensibility." --Portland Press Herald

"The stirring story of one woman’s quest for justice. . . Lawhon combines modern prose with the immediacy of her source material, making for an accessible and textured narrative. This accomplished historical powerfully speaks to centuries-old inequities that remain in the present day." --Publishers Weekly

“Unputdownable. . . an intriguing protagonist, a twisty mystery, rich period detail. . . In a novel focused on weighty issues and worthy struggles, it was a joy to stumble across this standout, satisfying love story.” --Christian Science Monitor

"A thoroughly engaging, rich story with a murder mystery; secrets, gossip, and hypocrisy; a corrupt judge; a tightly knit community of villagers; women at the mercy of a patriarchal society; and the early stages of a developing justice system following the Revolutionary War. . . Turn the last page, and you will want more of this world she has created." --Historical Novel Society

“The Frozen River is so vivid, so textured and multilayered, that I felt I'd opened a door and entered post-revolutionary America, walking beside Lawhon's compelling characters in a time and place riven by hardship, disease, and misogyny, but also intense love and searing natural beauty. This novel was unlike anything I'd read before, and it left me awe-struck.” --Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author of City of Light and Ashton Hall

“Simultaneously a mystery, a manifesto, and a memoir, The Frozen River resurrects both Martha’s story and the stories of those she fought for.” --Chapter 16

"A tense yet tender story about a remarkable woman meant to be remembered." --Women's World

“This engrossing mystery . . . brings to life a fascinating woman who would otherwise be lost to time.” --First for Women

“Ariel Lawhon does an amazing job not only of bringing the historical period to life, but also of drawing parallels between Martha’s struggles and the continuing fight of victims to be believed here in the 21st century. . . Gripping and occasionally harrowing, this is historical fiction that reminds readers of how much we owe the pioneers of the past for the liberties we have today, and how we must fight never to let those hard-earned rights be taken away.” --Criminal Element

About the Author

ARIEL LAWHON is an award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and have been Good Morning America, LibraryReads, and One Book One County selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and four sons. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

What’s Past Is Prologue

The body floats downstream. But it is late November, and the Kennebec River is starting to freeze, large chunks of ice swirling and tumbling through the water, collecting in mounds while clear, cold fingers of ice stretch out from either bank, reaching into the current, grabbing hold of all that passes by. Already weighted down by soaked clothing and heavy leather boots, the dead man bobs in the ebbing current, unseeing eyes staring at the waning crescent moon.

It is a miserable night with bitter wind and numbing frost, and the slower the river moves, the quicker it freezes, trapping him in its sluggish grip, as folds of his homespun linen shirt are thrown out like petals of a wilted brown tulip. Just an hour ago his hair was combed and pulled back, tied with a strip of lace. He’d taken the lace, of course, and it is possible--fate is such a fragile thing, after all--that he might still be alive if not for that choice. But it was insult on top of injury. Wars have been fought over less.

The dead man was in a hurry to leave this place, was in too much trouble already, and had he taken more care, been patient, he would have heard his assailants in the forest. Heard. Hidden. Held his breath. And waited for them to pass. But the dead man was reckless and impatient. Panting. He’d left tracks in the snow and was not hard to find. His hair came loose in the struggle, the bit of lace reclaimed and shoved in a pocket, and now that hair, brown as a muddy riverbank, is a tangled mess, part of it plastered to his forehead, part in his mouth, pulled there during a last startled gasp before he was thrown into the river.

His tangled, broken body is dragged along by the current for another quarter of a mile before the ice congeals and grinds to a halt with a tired moan, trapping him fifteen feet from the shore, face an inch below the surface, lips parted, eyes still widened in surprise.

The great freeze has come a month early to the town of Hallowell, Maine, and--the dead man could not know this, nor could anyone who lives here--the thaw will not arrive for many, many long months. They will call this the Year of the Long Winter. It will become legend, and he, no small part of it. For now, however, they sleep safe and warm in their beds, doors shut tight against an early, savage winter. But there--along the riverbank, if you look closely--something dark and agile moves in the moonlight. A fox. Tentative, she sets one paw onto the ice. Then another. She hesitates, for she knows how fickle the river can be, how it longs to swallow everything and pull it into the churning depths. But the ice holds, and the fox inches forward, toward the dead man. She creeps out to where he lies, entombed in the ice. The clever little beast looks at him, her head tilted to the side, but he does not return the gaze. She lifts her nose to the sky. Sniffs for danger. Inhales the pungent scent of frost and pine along the river and, farther away, the faintest whiff of woodsmoke. Satisfied, the fox begins to howl.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 5, 2024
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593312074
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593312070
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.18 x 1.03 x 8 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- #13 in Historical Fiction (Books)
- #37 in Women's Literature & Fiction
Customer Reviews:
(119,687)

About the author

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Ariel Lawhon

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Ariel Lawhon is an award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. She is the author of THE WIFE THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS, FLIGHT OF DREAMS, I WAS ANASTASIA, CODE NAME HELENE, and THE FROZEN RIVER. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Good Morning America, Library Reads, Indie Next, One Book One County, Amazon Spotlight, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and four sons. Ariel splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.

Customer reviews

119,687 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a gripping tale based on true events, with well-researched historical elements and strong female characters. The writing is masterful, keeping readers enthralled from beginning to end with unexpected twists and turns. Customers appreciate the historical accuracy, with one review highlighting the detailed portrayal of life in eighteenth-century America.

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1456 customers mention content, 1375 positive, 81 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful and compelling read.

Couldn’t put it down! A great read. Things haven’t changed much in two hundred years. Hopefully this author will bless us with another book.Read more

Great book. Lots of couples with many out-of-wedlock conceptions and rapes. A little challenging to remember which characters were raped or consented.Read more

A good read with a central strong character. Murder, mystery, woven into a time where women were less than, and had no place or power of their own....Read more

This was an excellent read. I love that it was inspired by a real midwife. I couldn't put this book down. Martha Ballard was an extraordinary woman....Read more

736 customers mention story, 678 positive, 58 negative

Customers love the story of this book, describing it as a gripping tale that's hard to put down and based on true events.

This is my first of her books. I love a combination of a great story, that came from truth, and the beauty of the writing… The amazing research that...Read more

This is the first book I read by this author. It was a wonderful story, taking you back into time when women had little rights, but the women in the...Read more

Good Story. Slower Read. Enjoyed the mystery and attempting to figure out the crime at hand. Sometimes hard to keep track of all the charactersRead more

Couldn’t put it down. A beautiful story. Loved the tangling of history with a thrilling tale. Will recommended to friends.Read more

458 customers mention writing quality, 447 positive, 11 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, describing it as thoughtful and descriptive, with one customer noting how the author draws readers in.

...Well written, easy to stay with the story, and best of all, it was about areas I grew up in. Fort Western is still an interesting place to visit....Read more

I am awed by this book. Beautifully written I am in love with Martha Ballard. A women of courage empathy and great love for her family her community....Read more

...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...Read more

Wonderful story, so well written. If you like historical fiction, you will love this book! It is throughly entertaining. Didn't want it to end!Read more

397 customers mention character development, 357 positive, 40 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the strong female characters and how they come to life on the page.

Great characters, interesting time period and research of the midwifery was very enlightening. The conflict connected with today’s issues....Read more

...Loved it! The setting, the history, the characters, the insights, the descriptions, the plot and most of all the most beautiful love story I can...Read more

...to her diary which has been preserved, and creates colorful, interesting characters and events to make it one of those “unputdownable” books....Read more

Wonderful characters, great story line, twists and turns. All the characteristics of a page turner , just couldn't put it down!Read more

383 customers mention engaging, 355 positive, 28 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with many noting it kept them enthralled from beginning to end and caught their attention from the first page.

...The woman’s story is enthralling. It is interesting, sad at times, historical perspective of treatment of women in the 1700s, understanding...Read more

Loved it. Suspenseful, educational, entertaining! Keeps you guessing until the end. Couldn’t put it down! The main characters is a hoot!...Read more

...I found it very interesting and hard to put down. It gives an interesting perspective into the past - back to the time of the Civil War....Read more

Very well written. Intriguing. Gives you a wonderful sense of a time long ago. So hard to put it down.Read more

221 customers mention historical fiction, 217 positive, 4 negative

Customers enjoy the historical fiction elements of the book, appreciating the intriguing period details and how they are woven into a compelling narrative. One customer specifically mentions it as a historical mystery novel set in 1789 Maine, while another notes its outstanding combination of history and relationships.

...I guarantee that you will love it also. Historical fiction that takes place in the 1770 time frame, it involves family life, midwifery and intrigue.Read more

This is a great historical fiction telling a story of a great woman of history! I’ll try more of Ariel’s books!Read more

For those who love historical fiction and the sometimes quiet roles women have played turn the first page and become engrossed by the talent, bravery...Read more

A page turner, well written and gripping. Historical fiction at its best!and I learned a lot about midwifery and childbirth that was new to me...Read more

172 customers mention historical, 165 positive, 7 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical content, noting it is well-researched and based on historical records, with one customer highlighting its detailed portrayal of life in eighteenth-century America.

...Loved it! The setting, the history, the characters, the insights, the descriptions, the plot and most of all the most beautiful love story I can...Read more

History from a different viewpoint. Well researched and presented. I’m still a fan of Kenneth Roberts’s Arundel and this is a compliment.Read more

The Frozen River takes place in the late 1700-1850. There are historical, native facts of the Maine state, intrigue, murder, suspense, family life,...Read more

...Part history, part mystery, part a study of human behavior and wishful outcomes, this book deserves the recognition it has received....Read more

164 customers mention mystery, 157 positive, 7 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, particularly its incorporation of historical fiction with murder twists and unexpected turns.

...the richest stew beautiful cooked! There is mystery, rape, hypocrisy, laced with strong heroines, family bond and fierce loyalty within a community...Read more

...The murder mystery, the prose, the richly developed characters, and the magnificent heroine all combine to make this story unforgettable.Read more

Beautifully written, a great mystery, fascinating characters. I loved it and highly recommend it. I can't wait for the movie!Read more

Lots of twists and turns. Great character development. One of those books you think about after reading. Enjoyed it immensely!Read more

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