The frozen river : a novel / Ariel Lawhon.
"A gripping historical mystery based on the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history. 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"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593312070
- ISBN: 0593312074
- ISBN: 9780385546874
- ISBN: 0385546874
- Physical Description: 432 pages : map ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Doubleday, 2023.
- Copyright: ©2023
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- Publisher, dates, and paging may vary.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Ballard, Martha, 1735-1812 > Fiction.
Murder > Investigation > Fiction.
Midwives > Fiction.
Diaries > Fiction.
Kennebec River Valley (Me.) > Social life and customs > 18th century > Fiction.
Maine > History > 1775-1865 > Fiction. - Genre:
- Detective and mystery fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Historical fiction.
Available copies
- 57 of 211 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 5 copies available at Rutherford County Library System.
Holds
- 47 current holds with 211 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haynes Branch Library | F Law (Text) | 38801102068688 | Adult Fiction | Checked out | 08/26/2026 |
| Mooneyham Public Library | F Law (Text) | 30113100248025 | Adult Fiction | Checked out | 08/28/2026 |
| Mountains Branch Library | F Law (Text) | 38801102100135 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Norris Public Library | F Law (Text) | 30254100684288 | Adult Fiction | In transit | - |
| Spindale Public Library | F Law (Text) | 30134100385542 | Adult Fiction | Checked out | 08/04/2026 |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
"A gripping historical mystery based on the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history. 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"--
