Synopsis:
Maine, 1789: The Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice. Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As the local midwife and healer, Martha is good at keeping secrets. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, every murder and debacle that unfolds in the town of Hallowell. In that diary she also documented the details of an alleged rape that occurred four months earlier. Now, one of the men accused of that heinous attack has been found dead in the ice.
While Martha is certain she knows what happened the night of the assault, she suspects that the two crimes are linked, and that there is more to both cases than meets the eye. Over the course of one long, hard winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha’s diary lands at the center of the scandal and threatens to tear both her family and her community apart.
What To Expect:
The Frozen River is a historical fiction that features a mystery revolving sexual assault and murder. You can expect to read about a unique historical heroine, midwifery and birthing, and many hard topics surrounding sexual assault.
Content Warnings:
Language: Moderate – Strong language used sporadically throughout the novel
Sexual Content: Fade-to-Black + Moderate Mentions
A married couple is implied to have sexual relations
Several mentions of sex between unmarried couples, not explicit but openly discussed.
Violence: Heavy
Detailed descriptions of rape and attempted sexual assault
Detailed descriptions of dead bodies, injuries, and some fighting
Substance Use: Moderate – Alcohol use
Prejudices: Moderate – Sexism & racism
Religious Themes: Brief mentions of God and church going
Other Topics: This book is heavy on pregnancy, both within the confines of marriage and out of wedlock. There are several descriptions of women in labor and giving birth, including details about blood. There are several mentions and discussions of stillbirth, miscarriage, and infant/child death. There is also medical trauma.
Please keep in mind that some things may be missed in content warning reviews and this is meant to be a general overview without spoilers. Use your own discretion with the information provided to make the right choice for you! View our guideline here.
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