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by Ariel Lawhon (Author)
Published on December 12, 2023, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping historical mystery inspired by the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife embroiled in a murder trial.
Set in Maine in 1789, the story follows Martha Ballard, a respected midwife known for her medical expertise and discretion in a Puritan community. When a man named Joshua Burgess is found dead under the ice of the Kennebec River, Martha is called to examine the body. His death is linked to a scandal involving accusations against the town judge, Joseph North, and the preacher's wife, Rebecca Foster.
As tensions rise in the town and rumors swirl, Martha finds herself torn between her loyalty to her community and her desire for truth. Having tended to Rebecca’s wounds after the alleged assault, Martha's insights become crucial as the trial approaches. Her diary, chronicling everyday events and secrets, becomes a focal point in a mystery that threatens to unravel her family and the town itself.
In The Frozen River, Lawhon brings to life a courageous and compassionate heroine who fights for justice in a time when women's voices were often silenced.