What readers think of The Frozen River, plus links to write your own review.

This is historical mystery focused on the life of a real midwife in post revolutionary America. While respected by women, a midwife was not respected by the medical community in early America and although she has the role of giving testimony on mortalities, when she gives her opinion that a recent death is a murder she conflicts with the powers that want to rule an accidental drowning. I loved the setting of this book- in Maine's winter- and the writer makes you feel "chilled' at every turn. The mystery of the death unfolds among side stories of other discriminations against women and powerful men controlling the community. Evil lurks, but our heroine will not give up on her quest for the truth! If you enjoyed books like Lady Tan's Circle of Women you will enjoy seeing the role of a courageous midwife in early America.

This story masterfully weaves together themes of life and death in a harsh, unforgiving environment. The vivid and chilling imagery of the frozen Kennebec River, where a dead man drifts under the ice, sets a dark, mysterious tone that grips the reader. The transition to a childbirth scene is stark yet thematically resonant, contrasting the harshness of death with the raw power of new life. The descriptions are rich and immersive, drawing the reader into both the physical and emotional landscapes of the characters. The story's strength lies in its atmospheric writing and the powerful juxtaposition of life's fragility against nature's indifference.