Monday Moments - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping historical mystery inspired by  the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned eighteenth century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself  into American history. (cover blurb)

I was pulled into this story immediately and the deep freeze of Maine,  1789 kept me enthralled.  After one man is saved after falling into  the ice, another is discovered entombed.  Martha, the midwife, is  called to examine  the body - her declaration: Murdered by hanging. The man - Joseph Burgess - had also  been  accused of rape. 

Over the  course of one winter, a trial  is  pending, more scandal, more accusations and Martha's word and her journal prove to be at the center.  This is  a time when women were to be seen and not heard. The fact that she could write,  that she  knew every secret in town, and that she truly was a woman of convictions makes this story very powerful.  Martha  Ballard proves  an exception and her husband,  Ephraim, is also a man ahead of his time.

I loved the tone  of  this  book,  the pace, the obvious research done, rich characters, and that  family love that  shined  through.  The Frozen River glistens and each word and chapter  flow. Big thumbs up  from me!