The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick

A Must Read
This is not the type of book I would ordinarily read, but a couple of outstanding reviews and recommendations convinced me to try it. So glad I did. This is the best book I have read in a long time. It is historical fiction, family and community drama, thriller, mystery, crime drama, feminist manifesto, love story, and a lot more. The writing is superb and the post-Revolutionary War life and details struck me as very well researched and authentic. The narrator and hero Martha Ballard is a literary icon in my opinion—brave, wise, funny, loving, smart, ambitious and, of course, way ahead of her time ( the latter at times seemed a bit over the top, but I loved the book too much to quibble,). Ariel Lawhon has woven together a great story with memorable characters

Compelling! Exceptional!
Martha Ballard….how I will miss you. I absolutely love the way Ariel wrote Martha’s character. This book is going to be one that I reread, and when I do, it’ll be because I miss Martha and want to spend time with her. ❤️•This story begins with the body of a man being found frozen in the Kennebec River in 1700s Maine. Martha Ballard, a midwife, is summoned to inspect the body and declares the man has been murdered. The man?….. one of 2 alleged of raping a married woman, Rebecca Foster. We are carried through the story by our desire to find out who committed the murder, and if Rebecca will receive justice through the legal system during a time women had few rights. Along the way, we get a beautifully crafted look into day-to-day, small town life in 1700s America, social inequalities, motherhood, and childbearing, with Martha Ballard’s journal entries being at the heart of this story.•There is no denying an incredible amount of research preceded this book. The realities of that time are wonderfully depicted. The hardships and prejudices. It causes one to take pause and consider what life was like for people back in that time, especially women, leaving you thankful for how things have changed. However, it also makes you consider what hasn’t changed as much as you’d expect.•Again, I could not get enough of Martha. She is strong and bold FMC. I admired her courage and intellect. I also admired how she stood up for women, herself included, and fought to give them all a voice when women had none.🥰 She is a remarkable woman and such an inspiration!!•I enjoyed seeing glimpses of her and Ephraim’s love story throughout the years. Ephraim was endearing. It’s hard not to love him….for the man he was, the husband he was… and the provider he was. I enjoyed their family and life together.•I highly recommend this book! I did find myself losing track of who some people were, and it was a slower pace for a mystery. But this book embedded itself into my heart, so I have to give it 5🌟. Don’t skip the author’s note! This was my first Ariel Lawhon read, but it will not be my last.

Well-written and captivating murder mystery.
The story is exciting and interesting– and keeps the reader engaged. The characters are well developed–and the “first person” narrative added to the depth of plot, action–and certainly the main characters. Very exciting (and often sorrowful) as the people and environment change–right to the suspenseful end.

Inspiring tale of Life!
Loved the writer’s style taking present day life’s decisions with reflection of contributing experience that brought them here. Fast moving, real, believable & inspiring. Living ALL of life. Great Book Club read.

This was a great read! The author lent a convincing voice to Martha, inspired by her real life. Very interesting indeed to read about all Martha achieved as a midwife ( not one mother she delivered died ). In this fictional novel though, she is also investigating a murder…. Her story reveals a woman very much aware of the low consideration of women even in case of rapes…. Even though she clearly and loudly dared testify in court, her testimony was not taken seriously….The author painted a warm picture of a very lively Martha. I liked her immensely straight from the beginning of the novel! I loved her courage, resilience, her sense of duty and deep love for her family. Martha is also witty and brought a smile to my face many times! Through Martha’s story, the legal and social historical background is meticulously revealed. Highly recommended!

I hardly have the words to say how interesting this book was, particularly because it was based on the journal of a real woman who lived in those times. The plot was interesting, it was very educational about that time period, and all the characters were so well described that I easily thought of them as living, breathing people. Even the author’s notes at the end were compelling to read. Excellent, excellent!