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In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi dives into The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a powerful historical mystery that asks hard questions about truth, justice, and whose voices are allowed to matter.

Set in 1789 Maine, the novel follows Martha Ballard, a midwife whose meticulous diary places her at the center of a murder investigation when a man is found frozen in the river. As Martha uncovers darker truths about power, violence, and credibility, the story reveals how often truth is treated as disruption and how courage, especially in women, is rarely rewarded in its own time.

This conversation explores how justice evolves, or fails to, and how history is shaped not only by those in power, but by women who documented, remembered, and refused to look away.

Episode Highlights

• How The Frozen River reframes justice through the lens of historical silence and gendered power
• The cost of telling the truth when it threatens social order and reputation
• Why courage is often punished rather than rewarded, especially for women
• Martha Ballard as both witness and disruptor in a world built to dismiss her
• The question of whether justice has truly changed or simply adopted new language
• Why historical fiction can illuminate modern conversations about belief and accountability

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who loves historical fiction that asks hard questions and does not flinch from the answers.

Until next time, keep reading, keep dreaming, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.