Historical fiction book · Curated
The Frozen River
Ariel Lawhon · historical fiction
In the winter of 1789, Maine midwife Martha Ballard is called to a body trapped in the frozen Kennebec River, then drawn into a rape accusation the town’s powerful men want buried. Drawn from Ballard’s real diary, it is historical mystery with a working woman’s eye for birth, ice, and justice.
Why read it: A current book-club staple that fills the early-republic gap—biographical crime fiction set in frozen frontier Maine.
About this historical novel
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is historical fiction set around 1789–1790 in the Regency / Napoleonic period with key settings including Maine, Kennebec River, Hallowell. In the winter of 1789, Maine midwife Martha Ballard is called to a body trapped in the frozen Kennebec River, then drawn into a rape accusation the town’s powerful men want buried. Drawn from Ballard’s real diary, it is historical mystery with a working woman’s eye for birth, ice, and justice.
On HisFic we tag it under 3. Historical mystery & crime and 4. Biographical fiction so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include midwifery, justice, women, mystery, and frontier. A current book-club staple that fills the early-republic gap—biographical crime fiction set in frozen frontier Maine.
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Plot summary
In the winter of 1789, Maine midwife Martha Ballard is called to a body trapped in the frozen Kennebec River, then drawn into a rape accusation the town’s powerful men want buried. Drawn from Ballard’s real diary, it is historical mystery with a working woman’s eye for birth, ice, and justice. A current book-club staple that fills the early-republic gap—biographical crime fiction set in frozen frontier Maine.
Subgenres
Eras
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- Burial Rites · Hannah Kent
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Regions & places
North America
Maine · Kennebec River · Hallowell
Themes
- midwifery
- justice
- women
- mystery
- frontier
Tags
bestseller · book-club · mystery