Free Audio Book : The Frozen River, By Ariel Lawhon

In 1789, Maine witnessed an unusual event. The Kennebec River froze solid, trapping a man within its icy grasp. Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer, was called upon to examine the body and ascertain the cause of death. Her diary, a chronicle of life and death, crime and calamity in the tight-knit community of Hallowell, held the details of a supposed rape committed by two esteemed gentlemen of the town. One of these men was the unfortunate soul found in the ice. However, when a local doctor contradicts her findings, declaring the death accidental, Martha is compelled to conduct her own investigation into the startling murder.

As the trial approaches and the winter deepens, Martha relentlessly seeks the truth. Her diary becomes the epicenter of the scandal, implicating those dear to her and forcing Martha to question her own allegiances.

Ariel Lawhon’s latest work, “The Frozen River,” is a smart, layered, and subversive tale that brings to light an overlooked heroine who demanded nothing less than justice in an era when women were expected to be seen, not heard. It’s a gripping, tense, and heartfelt narrative about a remarkable woman whose legacy is extraordinary, yet she remains largely forgotten today.