The Frozen River: Book Summary & Analysis

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In the bitter cold of 1789 Maine, the frozen Kennebec River gives up a body—and with it, the secrets of an entire town begin to thaw. At the center of this gripping historical mystery stands Martha Ballard, a midwife with an unshakable moral compass and a gift for seeing what others ignore. As she cares for her neighbors by day and records her observations by night, she becomes the unlikely detective in a chilling case of murder, corruption, and long-buried truths.

With each revelation, Martha finds herself risking everything—her safety, her family’s standing, and the fragile balance of justice in a male-dominated society. But her courage doesn’t waver. Armed with her journal, her instincts, and her relentless commitment to truth, she unearths a conspiracy that could destroy those in power.