WWW of RI Women’s Book Club: The Frozen River

‘The Frozen River’ by Ariel Lawhon is the subject of March 2025’s Women’s Wilderness of RI Women’s Book Club meeting.

A gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 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.

Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

[CREDIT: Pixabay]

Anyone in the WWW of RI community is welcome to participate regardless of your attendance at our weekend events.

WWW of RI Book Club Participation Guidelines:

• Please obtain a copy of the book, either by borrowing from the library, borrowing from someone you know, or purchasing. Read the book on your own, prior to our discussion date. Audio books are good too. 
• We will meet in person to discuss the book. 
• Please read the book, or at least attempt to read it so you can contribute to the discussion.
• Everyone reads at their own pace, and that is fine. If you finish the book in two days or only get half way through, anyone with interest in the book club can be included.
• Any and all conversation is welcome at the book discussions but please be courteous and kind. You can disagree with someone, but always do so respectfully. 
• You do not need to participate every month to be part of the book club. Read what interests you and attend when you can.
• Book suggestions are highly welcome. Please let us know what you are interested in.

Discussion for The Frozen River will take place on Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m..  Please reach out to Jessy at jessyjakul@gmail.com to be included.

After The Frozen River, we will be reading and discussing Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – Discussion meeting will be held May 18 at 3 p.m.