Der gefrorene Fluss

Martha Ballard is not just a midwife from Maine who has never lost a mother in childbirth. She is also a truth-teller and seeker of justice in a time when women are not even allowed to testify in court. Once again, Lawhon weaves narrative magic with a real-life heroine.

Fans of Claire Fraser from "Outlander" will appreciate Lawhon's Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent.

Part mystery, part historical fiction, this novel has a wintry atmosphere that makes it an ideal read for the fireside.

This historical mystery is inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a famous midwife from the 18th century who defied the existing legal system and thus entered American history.

Maine, 1789: As the Kennebec River freezes and the body of a dead man becomes visible in the ice, Martha Ballard is called to examine the corpse and determine the cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what happens behind closed doors in the small town of Hallowell. Her diary records all births and deaths, crimes and debacles that occur in the tight-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town's most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. Thus, Martha is certain that she is dealing with a murder. However, a local doctor disputes her conclusion and declares the death an accident. Martha is determined to investigate the shocking murder on her own.

Over the course of a winter, as the trial approaches and rumors and prejudices grow, Martha persistently seeks the truth.