I was lucky to receive a paperback copy of The Frozen River from my daughter who bought it for me in New York. The book was a bestseller there and all the bookshops had displays in their windows. Then I received an arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
As Ariel Lawhon explains The Frozen River is inspired by real events as opposed to being based on them. Martha Ballard was a midwife in Maine in the late 1700’s who delivered over a thousand babies in her career and never lost a mother in childbirth..
The story begins in 1789 when Martha is summoned to examine a body entombed in the Ice. This is a remarkable story which I really enjoyed. I have taken one star off because I don’t like romance in a good story and though some of it is necessary I found it a bit too much. Just my preference.
Thank you to Netgalley and a big thank you to my daughter for my early paperback.

An excellently researched, well plotted novel that is inspired by the historical figure of Martha Ballard, a mid-wife.

This was an extremely absorbing and enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed reading about the brave women and midwifery in history. The relationship between Martha and her husband is a beautiful one, filled with love and care.

It is quite a long novel and I thought it could have benefitted with developing some of the characters further, I am thinking here especially of Martha's children.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.