Ariel Lawhon at a Glance

Full Name: Ariel Lawhon

Pronunciation: AIR-ee-uhl LAW-hun

Born: July 5, 1978

Nationality: United States

Education:

• Carnegie-Mellon University (BFA, Theater)

Genres:

• Historical fiction
• Historical mystery

Biography & Background

Ariel Lawhon Biography

A descendant of cattle ranchers, Ariel Lawhon was born in Taos, New Mexico, in 1978. Her family’s house lacked running water and electricity; as a child, she ran wild through the desert and listened as her mother read stories by lantern-light. Without a TV, Lawhon developed an early interest in literature and fell in love with the works of classic authors like J. R. R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie, and L. M. Montgomery. As she says of these early moments: “Those little bits, the flotsam and jetsam of my life, made me who I am today. My off-kilter childhood made me a relentless reader. It made me a storyteller. It made me a writer” (“For the Love of Reading,” ariellawhon.com).

As an adult, Lawhon earned a BFA in theater from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Her debut novel, The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress (2014), established her penchant for delving into the intricate details of specific historical events or eras and analyzing women’s roles in these contexts. As a highly successful New York Times best-selling author, she has published six standalone novels, including Flight of Dreams (2016), Code Name Hélène (2020), and The Frozen River (2023). She has also contributed to several anthologies and co-authored When We Had Wings (2022) alongside Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband and four sons.

Fun Facts About Ariel Lawhon

• Lawhon’s all-time favorite book is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.
• Lawhon helped found a successful online book club called SheReads.org. Although the book club is no longer operational, it ran from 2009 to 2020.
• Lawhon still enjoys reading aloud to her middle-school-aged sons.
• Lawhon once encountered Pat Conroy (author of Prince of Tides) at the Southern Festival of the Book in Tennessee but, to her regret, was too star-struck to introduce herself.

Ariel Lawhon’s Awards & Honors

• 2015 — RUSA Award for Historical Fiction nominee for The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress
• 2020 — Goodreads Best Historical Fiction Award nominee for Code Name Hélène
• 2024 — Nero Award for Best Mystery Novel for The Frozen River 

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from Ariel Lawhon in her own words.

Interviews with Ariel Lawhon

_NPR

Ariel Lawhon’s Novel, The Frozen River, Follows a 1789 Midwife in Search of Justice (December 16, 2023)

Lawhon joined Scott Simon of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday to discuss The Frozen River, a historical thriller about a midwife who investigates a sexual assault case in 18th-century Maine. She details her research process and shares how real-life historical documents inspired her storytelling.

_{MAINE STATE LIBRARY}

A Conversation with Ariel Lawhon (January 26, 2024)

In this discussion with Alison Maxell of the Maine State Library, Lawhon reflects on her writing career, her love for forgotten historical stories, and her affinity for strong female protagonists. Listeners will gain insight into her meticulous research and writing processes, and learn more about the real Martha Ballard, whose life inspired The Frozen River.

Podcasts with Ariel Lawhon

_{HISTORICAL HAPPY HOUR}

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (November 16, 2023)

In this conversation with Jane Healey of the Historical Happy Hour podcast, Lawhon talks about the challenges of writing historical mysteries, the real case that inspired The Frozen River, and the challenges that come with balancing historical accuracy and compelling storytelling. The episode is also available as a video on YouTube.

Ariel Lawhon Quotes

It’s an unimaginative accusation and one that I am frankly tired of hearing. Witchcraft. As though there is no other explanation for a woman who excels at her work.

— The Frozen River (2023)

Love is a choice. It is the active choosing of good for another person. But like? It is a gift and it cannot be forced.

— Code Name Hélène (2020)

I want the world to remember that small acts, done in love, matter every bit as much as the ones that make the newspaper and the history books.

— The Frozen River (2023)

Though you never think it possible, you can celebrate and grieve in the same breath. It is a holy abomination.

— The Frozen River (2023)

I am a devoted fan of the male species. They are brave, brilliant, offer endless entertainment, are good for moving heavy objects, and make the act of procreation a great deal more enjoyable. I’d hate to see a world in which they did not exist. But sometimes they can be spectacular idiots.

— Code Name Hélène (2020)

Notable Books by Ariel Lawhon

I Was Anastasia (2018)

Blending fact and fiction, I Was Anastasia explores the mystery surrounding Anna Anderson, the woman who famously claimed to be Anastasia Romanov, the last surviving daughter of Russia’s imperial family. Lawhon crafts a dual-timeline narrative that unravels the truth behind one of history’s most enduring mysteries, making for a gripping and thought-provoking read.

Code Name Hélène (2020)

This historical novel follows the real-life story of Nancy Wake, a daring Australian spy who worked with the French Resistance during World War II. The novel unfolds across multiple timelines, capturing Nancy’s transformation from journalist to one of the most hunted operatives in Nazi-occupied France. Exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and espionage, Code Name Hélène showcases Lawhon’s signature ability to bring history’s forgotten women to life.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

When We Had Wings (2022)

Co-authored with Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner, this novel tells the harrowing yet inspiring story of the Angels of Bataan, a group of nurses who became prisoners of war during World War II as the United States and Japan fought for control over the Philippines. Based on true events, When We Had Wings intertwines the stories of three women—two US military nurses and one Filipino civilian nurse—highlighting resilience, friendship, and the courage of women who continued to serve even while enduring unimaginable conditions.

Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Authors Like Ariel Lawhon

Sarah Penner

Recommended Read: The Lost Apothecary (2021)

Like Lawhon, Sarah Penner masterfully blends historical fiction with mystery and intrigue. The Lost Apothecary follows a secret apothecary in 18th-century London that dispenses poison to help women escape dangerous men. A modern-day historian uncovers the apothecary’s secrets, linking past and present through a gripping dual timeline. Fans of Lawhon’s richly researched novels will find Penner’s work equally immersive.

Uncover more with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Julie Berry

Recommended Read: All the Truth That’s in Me (2013)

Julie Berry is another author who writes historical fiction that centers on women’s resilience and survival in oppressive circumstances. All the Truth That’s in Me tells the haunting story of Judith, a girl who returns to her Puritan community after years in captivity, only to find herself silenced by those around her. Lyrical and suspenseful, this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy Lawhon’s historical mysteries.

Ready to explore? Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Anna Stuart

Recommended Read: The Midwife of Auschwitz (2022)

Lawhon fans who appreciate untold stories of women in history will be drawn to The Midwife of Auschwitz, which follows a midwife who is determined to protect newborns from the horrors of the Holocaust. Like Lawhon, Stuart brings real historical figures to life with engaging storytelling and emotional depth.

Want to learn more? Dive into SuperSummary’s study guide.

Follow Ariel Lawhon

Connect with Ariel Lawhon on the following platforms:

• Author Website: www.ariellawhon.com
• Facebook: Ariel Lawhon
• Instagram: @ariel.lawhon
• X: @ariellawhon