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Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon writes historical fiction, often focusing on real women from the past. Her book The Frozen River explores a true crime from 1789 Maine. Lawhon's stories bring history to life for readers.
The Frozen River
Synopsis
"A gripping historical mystery based on the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife who found herself at the center of a murder trial"--
Genres
Characters
Martha BallardProtagonist
An 18th-century midwife and healer in Hallowell, Maine, based on the real historical figure, who investigates a suspicious death using her own diary and medical knowledge.
Judge Joseph NorthAntagonist
A respected local judge accused, alongside Joshua Burgess, of assaulting Rebecca Foster; his standing complicates the pursuit of justice after Burgess's death.
Joshua BurgessSupporting
Found dead in the frozen Kennebec River; previously accused, along with Judge Joseph North, of sexually assaulting Rebecca Foster.
Rebecca FosterSupporting
The wife of the local preacher, whose accusation of sexual assault against Joshua Burgess and Judge North sits at the center of the scandal Martha investigates.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Frozen River based on a true story?
Yes, in large part. The novel draws on the real diary of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife in Hallowell, Maine, whose journal documented decades of births, deaths, and community life. Author Ariel Lawhon builds a murder mystery around real entries and real people from that diary, blending documented history with invented dialogue and plot details.
What is The Frozen River about?
Set in Hallowell, Maine in 1789, the novel follows midwife Martha Ballard after the body of Joshua Burgess is found in the frozen Kennebec River. Burgess had been accused, along with Judge Joseph North, of assaulting Rebecca Foster, a preacher's wife. When a local physician rules the death an accident, Martha uses her own diary and standing in the community to pursue the truth, even as it threatens to implicate people she loves.