When did frozen river book come out? The Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon’s historical novel, was published in the United States on December 5, 2023. That date refers to the book’s original publication, not every later paperback, ebook, or audiobook edition.
If you are checking a listing, comparing formats, or trying to find the right book, the edition can make the date look different. Here is the original release information, what the novel is about, and why listings may show other dates. You will also find practical tips for choosing an edition and avoiding confusion with books or screen titles that have similar names.
when did frozen river book come out? The original publication date
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon came out on December 5, 2023, in the United States. This is the original publication date generally associated with the novel. It is the date to use if you mean when the book first became available to readers, rather than when a particular format or regional edition was released.
The novel was published by Doubleday, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It is a work of historical fiction inspired by the life of Martha Ballard, an eighteenth-century midwife whose diary provides a record of everyday life in Maine. Lawhon builds a fictional mystery around that historical setting and figure.
So, if you have seen a later date on a bookseller page, it does not necessarily mean the novel first appeared then. The listing may refer to a different format, a new printing, or an edition issued for another market. Always compare the format and edition details, not just the title.
What the book is about
The Frozen River is a historical mystery set in Hallowell, Maine, during the winter of 1789. Its central character, Martha Ballard, is a midwife who attends births and tends to patients in a close-knit community. She also keeps a diary, documenting the people, work, and conflicts around her.
The story begins with the discovery of a man’s body beneath the frozen Kennebec River. Martha suspects the death is connected to a recent assault case involving two local men. As she tries to establish what happened, she faces pressure from powerful people who would prefer that the matter stay quiet.
The book blends an investigation with domestic and community life. Martha’s work as a midwife gives her regular contact with women whose experiences might otherwise be left out of official records. Her diary becomes both a personal record and a way to preserve details that others may deny or overlook.
Although the novel draws on a real historical person and a surviving diary, it is still fiction. Lawhon imagines conversations, motives, and events to create a complete story. Readers interested in the actual Martha Ballard should treat the novel as an engaging interpretation, not as a substitute for the historical record.
Why you may see different release dates
A book can have more than one publication date because publishers release separate formats at different times. A hardcover might appear first, while a paperback or audiobook becomes available later. Digital editions can also be listed separately, and dates may vary by country or publisher.
Retail websites sometimes show the date for the edition they sell rather than the novel’s first release. A page may also display a reprint date, a preorder date, or the date a particular listing was created. Those details can make two pages for the same title appear to disagree.
Use this quick check when dates do not match:
- Check the format. Look for hardcover, paperback, ebook, or audiobook beside the title.
- Check the publisher and ISBN. An ISBN identifies a specific edition, so different ISBNs often point to different formats or releases.
- Check the country. A UK, Canadian, or other regional edition may have its own publication date.
- Compare the details with the publisher’s listing. The publisher’s page can help distinguish the original release from a later format.
The key point is that a later edition date does not change the answer to when the novel first came out. For the original US publication of Lawhon’s novel, use December 5, 2023.
Which edition should you look for?
The best format depends on how you want to read. The story is the same across standard editions, but the physical experience, accessibility, and convenience differ. Availability and publication dates can vary, so confirm the specific edition before ordering.
| Format | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | A durable printed edition, often the format associated with an initial release. | Readers who want a sturdy copy to keep or give as a gift. |
| Paperback | A lighter, flexible printed copy that may be issued after the hardcover. | Readers who prefer a portable physical book or a softer cover. |
| Ebook | A digital edition read on a compatible device or app. | Readers who want adjustable text and a book they can carry digitally. |
| Audiobook | A spoken version that can be played through an audiobook service or compatible app. | Readers who prefer listening while commuting, walking, or doing routine tasks. |
For a specific purchase, match the listing to the format you want and verify the title, author, and ISBN. That simple check is especially useful when a retailer groups several versions under one product page. It helps prevent ordering a paperback when you expected an ebook, or mistaking a later edition date for the original publication date.
Is The Frozen River based on a true story?
The novel is based on a real historical figure, but it is not a fully documented retelling of one verified murder investigation. Martha Ballard was an actual midwife in Maine, and her diary is a significant source for understanding her daily life and community. Lawhon uses this historical foundation to create a fictional narrative.
That distinction matters if you are reading for history. The setting, the central figure, and the diary connection have a real basis, while the novel’s plot and character interactions are shaped as fiction. A historical novel may draw on records without every scene or event being supported by those records.
If you want to learn more about the real Martha Ballard after reading, look for historical material about her diary and eighteenth-century Maine. Keep the novel and historical sources separate as you read. That lets you enjoy the mystery while recognizing where the author has used imagination.
How to tell this novel apart from similarly named titles
Search results for “Frozen River” can point to more than one work. Some listings shorten a title, omit the author, or mix book results with films and other entertainment. The easiest way to identify Lawhon’s novel is to check for the full title, The Frozen River, and the author name, Ariel Lawhon.
Do not rely on the words “frozen river” alone. Add the author’s name or a distinctive detail such as “Martha Ballard” when searching a bookstore, library catalog, or search engine. This reduces the chance of opening a page for an unrelated title.
Also check the cover and description before purchasing. Cover artwork can change between editions, so the author and publisher details are more reliable identifiers than the image by itself.
Common questions about the release
Was The Frozen River published in 2023?
Yes. Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River was first published in the United States on December 5, 2023. A listing that gives a later date may be describing another format or regional edition.
Who wrote The Frozen River?
Ariel Lawhon wrote the novel. It is historical fiction centered on Martha Ballard, a midwife in late eighteenth-century Maine.
Is The Frozen River a standalone novel?
It is presented as a standalone historical novel, so you do not need to read another book first to follow its story. You can begin with this title without looking for a preceding installment.
Does the book have a movie or television adaptation?
A book’s publication date does not tell you whether it has been adapted for screen. If you see a movie or television result with a similar name, check the title and creator carefully; a shared phrase does not establish that it is an adaptation of Lawhon’s novel.
Why does my bookstore show a date after 2023?
The page may describe a later paperback, audiobook, ebook, reprint, or regional edition. Check the format and ISBN to identify what that date applies to. For the novel’s original US release, the date remains December 5, 2023.
Useful details to check before buying or borrowing
If you are trying to locate the book, use the full title and author together: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. A library catalog may let you filter results by format, while a retailer’s page often provides the ISBN and publication details for each edition.
For a library hold, confirm whether you are requesting print, ebook, or audio. Libraries may list each format separately, and a hold on one does not always place you in line for another. If a catalog shows a date that differs from 2023, check whether it is the edition’s publication date rather than the novel’s first release.
For a gift, consider the recipient’s preferred format before choosing. A hardcover suits someone who collects print books, while an ebook or audiobook may be more convenient for a reader who prefers digital access. When the edition matters, such as for a matching set, verify the ISBN instead of relying only on the cover.
One common mistake is to treat every date shown on a product page as the book’s original release date. Publication dates belong to editions as well as titles. Checking the format, market, and ISBN gives you a clearer answer and helps you find the version you actually want.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon was first published in the United States on December 5, 2023. Later dates usually refer to a different format, regional edition, or printing, rather than the novel’s original release.
To find the right copy, search the full title with the author’s name, then confirm the format and ISBN before you buy or place a library hold. That quick check keeps edition dates from causing confusion about when did frozen river book come out.