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Rush
Written by a former undercover narcotics officer in Texas, the central character in this novel is a woman police officer, Kristen Cates. Together with her lover and partner she becomes a drug user in order to mix undercover with addicts, with devastating consequences.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
39 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Kim Wozencraft
20 books38 followersKIM WOZENCRAFT’S latest novel is NEGLECT, from Arcade/Simon and Schuster. Wozencraft is the author of the internationally best-selling novel Rush, which was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jennifer Jason Leigh. Neglect is her sixth novel.
Her work has appeared in The Best American Essays, Texas Monthly, the Los Angeles Times, and numerous literary magazines and anthologies. She was executive editor at Prison Life magazine and has written for HBO Films. Kim holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University and lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York, where she raised three children. She currently teaches English literature and writing courses at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster.
Her work has appeared in The Best American Essays, Texas Monthly, the Los Angeles Times, and numerous literary magazines and anthologies. She was executive editor at Prison Life magazine and has written for HBO Films. Kim holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University and lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York, where she raised three children. She currently teaches English literature and writing courses at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 15, 2025
“I nodded quietly to the men around me, but inside of me, inside I felt something shift, something slip off center. A man. What man, a guy my own age, was in prison looking at fifty-seven years for being a minor-league dealer, selling a few grams of powder. And I had helped put him there. Our lives had collided, and I had knocked him into a world of dirt and grinning ignorance, a place of gleaming metallic violence and night-screams."
― Kim Wozencraft, Rush
I read this such a long time ago. But I loved it. There is also a movie by same name but the book, in my humble opinion is so mu ch better.
I read it to long ago to do a really in depth review as I have not done a reread of this yet. I do remember becoming so invested in both of the main characters. Not light reading but the tension is always present and it inspired me to see the movie.
If and when I do a reread, will post more. I was really surprised this book does not have hundreds of reviews o n here.
― Kim Wozencraft, Rush
I read this such a long time ago. But I loved it. There is also a movie by same name but the book, in my humble opinion is so mu ch better.
I read it to long ago to do a really in depth review as I have not done a reread of this yet. I do remember becoming so invested in both of the main characters. Not light reading but the tension is always present and it inspired me to see the movie.
If and when I do a reread, will post more. I was really surprised this book does not have hundreds of reviews o n here.
February 9, 2024
07/2021
From 1990
There is a lot I appreciated about this book.
I liked how it doesn't, at first, say outright, voice over style, that it takes place in the 1970s. Tells you through the posters on her wall. I am quite familiar with the 1991 movie. I recognized that dialogue in the well acted film is taken directly from the novel.
The story is about police doing drugs in order to arrest dealers. The cops do tons of drugs, get addicted, do more drugs. It's really pretty questionable. Sinning to catch sinners.
The book gets more into the ethics of police entrapment than the movie has time to do.
From 1990
There is a lot I appreciated about this book.
I liked how it doesn't, at first, say outright, voice over style, that it takes place in the 1970s. Tells you through the posters on her wall. I am quite familiar with the 1991 movie. I recognized that dialogue in the well acted film is taken directly from the novel.
The story is about police doing drugs in order to arrest dealers. The cops do tons of drugs, get addicted, do more drugs. It's really pretty questionable. Sinning to catch sinners.
The book gets more into the ethics of police entrapment than the movie has time to do.
May 10, 2012
A compulsive read based on true life experiences of Kim Wozencraft where a Catholic girl becomes an undercover narcotics cop and gets sucked into the life of a junkie. The book is well written and the pace is fast, thrilling, and each page is printed with plenty of suspense. If you liked reading SERPICO you will enjoy reading RUSH. A movie was made from this novel, but unfortunately like most movies they must cut parts and scenes that the book is filled with. A profound read nonetheless and a must read for the crowd that enjoys cop adventure type novels.
February 13, 2017
1st Read: November 30, 1995 - December 2, 1995
I'd seen the movie first and was blown away by it. Exploring my sisters books I came across this one and absorbed it very quickly. It knocked me off my feet more than the movie did, yet those who read see a movie as their eyes scan each word. Visualization is a brilliant and wonderful part of using one's mind! This story is a winner for me! I'd read it again.
I'd seen the movie first and was blown away by it. Exploring my sisters books I came across this one and absorbed it very quickly. It knocked me off my feet more than the movie did, yet those who read see a movie as their eyes scan each word. Visualization is a brilliant and wonderful part of using one's mind! This story is a winner for me! I'd read it again.
February 19, 2015
The first book that made me think about the lives of drug abusers. And the cops who prosecute them. Sometimes, I still think about the scenes in which the protagonist describes her first encounters with opiates ('Bits of talk floated around me';'The immaculate conception in powder form.') It was enough to make me curious about substances, but the fate of the characters was also enough to give me pause about trying any. I wish the film had had the guts to make the ending of the movie as gritty, real and depressing as the end of this novel is.
June 15, 2020
“Rush” was published in 1990 by Random House and was written by a former undercover narcotics agent named Kim Wozencraft…. This was her debut novel and one that should not be missed if you are into crime novels and cat and mouse games.
The story follows Captain Jim Raynor, an undercover narcotics agent, who recruits a part-time college student named Kirsten Cates to partner up with him to bring drug dealers to justice and help get drugs off the streets. Will Gaines, the local pornographer and king-pin of the drug world, is the primary target in which evidence must be compiled to build a case to put him away. But, Gaines is not your ordinary criminal and is clever enough to avoid any run-ins with the law. When you’re on borrowed time and receiving ultimatums from your superiors, sometimes drastic measures are necessary.
The book was adapted to film, directed by Lili Zanuck, shortly after the book hit shelves but it is vastly different than the novel. I had an idea there was going to be some big differences by the time I was two chapters in…. I’ve seen the movie many times, so I knew it well enough to distinguish the similarities and difference from start to finish. That made this reading experience much more enjoyable for me. There’s nothing worse than reading a book and finding it follows its subsequent film to the tee. Agreed?
“Rush” was overall a great novel and different from what I am used to reading. I really liked how descriptive the author was and her writing style. Especially during the build-up and suspense of some crazy drug dealer interactions coinciding with her ability to capture the essence of the protagonists handling those particular situations. I also liked how true to life the characters turn out to be.
But as one would expect from a debut, the book did have its flaws…. In my opinion, there were too many minor and routine drug deals that seemed monotonous after awhile and not needed. Especially all the weed scoring. Every single drug deal on a daily basis was just not necessary to mention and as a result, could have (and should have) shortened the story. I would have also liked some more focus around Lieutenant Dodd. He seemed to have a bigger role as the story progressed, but you don’t get much of a background on him.
The final third of the novel and epilogue was awesome and my favorite part. I loved all the courtroom scenes…. The entire scenario and end result was far more true to life than the ending of the film adaptation. But that’s not saying anything worth noting I suppose. Books are typically always better than the film. But, I highly recommend checking out the film as well to get a different perspective. It does make me wonder how Wozencraft felt about the direction Zanuck with regards to her story and whether or not she liked how different the film turned out to be….
FINAL VERDICT: I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. “Rush” was a great read and solid debut novel. I would recommend it to fans of the crime genre, especially those into police investigations and courtroom interaction. Cops will probably love this book and appreciate it a lot more than the average reader, due to all the police terminology and procedure used throughout the story.
The story follows Captain Jim Raynor, an undercover narcotics agent, who recruits a part-time college student named Kirsten Cates to partner up with him to bring drug dealers to justice and help get drugs off the streets. Will Gaines, the local pornographer and king-pin of the drug world, is the primary target in which evidence must be compiled to build a case to put him away. But, Gaines is not your ordinary criminal and is clever enough to avoid any run-ins with the law. When you’re on borrowed time and receiving ultimatums from your superiors, sometimes drastic measures are necessary.
The book was adapted to film, directed by Lili Zanuck, shortly after the book hit shelves but it is vastly different than the novel. I had an idea there was going to be some big differences by the time I was two chapters in…. I’ve seen the movie many times, so I knew it well enough to distinguish the similarities and difference from start to finish. That made this reading experience much more enjoyable for me. There’s nothing worse than reading a book and finding it follows its subsequent film to the tee. Agreed?
“Rush” was overall a great novel and different from what I am used to reading. I really liked how descriptive the author was and her writing style. Especially during the build-up and suspense of some crazy drug dealer interactions coinciding with her ability to capture the essence of the protagonists handling those particular situations. I also liked how true to life the characters turn out to be.
But as one would expect from a debut, the book did have its flaws…. In my opinion, there were too many minor and routine drug deals that seemed monotonous after awhile and not needed. Especially all the weed scoring. Every single drug deal on a daily basis was just not necessary to mention and as a result, could have (and should have) shortened the story. I would have also liked some more focus around Lieutenant Dodd. He seemed to have a bigger role as the story progressed, but you don’t get much of a background on him.
The final third of the novel and epilogue was awesome and my favorite part. I loved all the courtroom scenes…. The entire scenario and end result was far more true to life than the ending of the film adaptation. But that’s not saying anything worth noting I suppose. Books are typically always better than the film. But, I highly recommend checking out the film as well to get a different perspective. It does make me wonder how Wozencraft felt about the direction Zanuck with regards to her story and whether or not she liked how different the film turned out to be….
FINAL VERDICT: I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. “Rush” was a great read and solid debut novel. I would recommend it to fans of the crime genre, especially those into police investigations and courtroom interaction. Cops will probably love this book and appreciate it a lot more than the average reader, due to all the police terminology and procedure used throughout the story.
October 18, 2007
This book was surprisingly well written. I got it for 50 cents at a yard sale many years ago and never bothered to read it, but I figured now was a good time. Apparently, it was also turned into a movie, which I found interesting.
Anyway, the book was about an undercover narcotics agent and some of the trials and tribulations she and her partner went through. From becomming friends with the people they were supposed to arrest, to getting hooked on some drugs themselves (because the sellers won't trust you if you don't do it with them), to getting shot at by someone who they had convicted in the past. It's very suspenseful, but entertaining, although it gave me nightmares the entire week I was reading it.
If you like suspenseful books, or moral dilemmas, this would be a good book for you to read.
Anyway, the book was about an undercover narcotics agent and some of the trials and tribulations she and her partner went through. From becomming friends with the people they were supposed to arrest, to getting hooked on some drugs themselves (because the sellers won't trust you if you don't do it with them), to getting shot at by someone who they had convicted in the past. It's very suspenseful, but entertaining, although it gave me nightmares the entire week I was reading it.
If you like suspenseful books, or moral dilemmas, this would be a good book for you to read.
August 1, 2007
Another not-exact look at my adolescence, only I was on the outside of the drama (i.e. I didn't live the life in the book, just watched those around me do so).
Taut, well-written and terrifying.
Taut, well-written and terrifying.
August 3, 2007
Read this book in HS- loved it and the movie it was made into...How often does that happen.
July 22, 2025
3.5/5
Was eens benieuwd of dit soort cop-thriller genre me zou bevallen
Het las wel echt heel fast-paced en leuk om eens iets nieuw te proberen op vakantie.
Maar denk niet dat dit mijn nieuwe favoriete genre van boeken wordt.
Was eens benieuwd of dit soort cop-thriller genre me zou bevallen
Het las wel echt heel fast-paced en leuk om eens iets nieuw te proberen op vakantie.
Maar denk niet dat dit mijn nieuwe favoriete genre van boeken wordt.
January 14, 2019
Rush by Kim Wozencraft (Random House 1990) (Fiction – Mystery). As a new member of the police force, Kristin becomes an undercover narcotics officer and is partnered with Jim. Kristin quickly learns from Jim that a perk of their role as street hustlers is that they have a seemingly endless supply of government funds available with which to stay drunk and high, and they have access to the confiscated pills, pot, and powders. Their role as undercover narcotics officers is to make friends and acquaintances among the local bar denizens and other skells and to persuade these new friends to provide drugs.
This can't last.
The undercover cops soon go bad.
Predictable, right?
But I bet you can't guess what happens then.
I couldn't anyway.
It's a good story. My rating: 7/10, finished 1/14/19. I purchased a HB copy of this on Amazon 12/16/18. I purchased a copy NOT to add this to my collection but instead because my local public library does not have a copy, and the staff is notoriously picky about assisting with inter-library loans. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This can't last.
The undercover cops soon go bad.
Predictable, right?
But I bet you can't guess what happens then.
I couldn't anyway.
It's a good story. My rating: 7/10, finished 1/14/19. I purchased a HB copy of this on Amazon 12/16/18. I purchased a copy NOT to add this to my collection but instead because my local public library does not have a copy, and the staff is notoriously picky about assisting with inter-library loans. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
September 25, 2019
I have to admit I was quite surprised by this book! I am a huge fan of the film with Jason Patrick, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Greg Allman, and Sam Elliot. The film is terrific and does Kim’s book justice. However, with that said the book is quite different. The film ends in a more tragic surreal manner, and the book was more of a crumby messed over ending.
The film really tells a fantastic story and dives into the belly of an undercover narcotic officer and partner’s lives ending tragically, and then revenge.
The book however is on par all the way up to about the last 70 pages. Things took a turn down a more normal path. Not so tragic. More like Wozencraft was using her experiences as a law enforcement officer to speak out about the corruption within the justice system, and law enforcement as well.
I was shocked to find out that the book was drawn from Kim’s experiences, hence some truth, and not completely fictitious. Great book, fantastic film, and great journey. I gave the book 4 stars because the ending just isn’t as much of a gut punch as the film, but probably more close to the truth. Sad but true.
The film really tells a fantastic story and dives into the belly of an undercover narcotic officer and partner’s lives ending tragically, and then revenge.
The book however is on par all the way up to about the last 70 pages. Things took a turn down a more normal path. Not so tragic. More like Wozencraft was using her experiences as a law enforcement officer to speak out about the corruption within the justice system, and law enforcement as well.
I was shocked to find out that the book was drawn from Kim’s experiences, hence some truth, and not completely fictitious. Great book, fantastic film, and great journey. I gave the book 4 stars because the ending just isn’t as much of a gut punch as the film, but probably more close to the truth. Sad but true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2016
Kristen Cates is working as a waitress when she is talked into joining the police force. Because of her unknown face and young age she is quickly partnered with Jim Raynor, a undercover narc.
This story just about has it all, good cop, bad cop, drugs, love story, drugs and much more. Story is fast paced and well written. Characters are both likable and hate-able.
I would have liked a little more background on the characters to understand what exactly got them into the positions they found themselves in but what Kim Wozencraft gives you works and make it believable.
A 1991 movie "Rush" directed by Lili Fini Zanuck and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Greg Allman and Sam Elliot, was based on this book.
This story just about has it all, good cop, bad cop, drugs, love story, drugs and much more. Story is fast paced and well written. Characters are both likable and hate-able.
I would have liked a little more background on the characters to understand what exactly got them into the positions they found themselves in but what Kim Wozencraft gives you works and make it believable.
A 1991 movie "Rush" directed by Lili Fini Zanuck and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Greg Allman and Sam Elliot, was based on this book.
April 20, 2017
I did not finish it. The very thought of a young woman being taught to do drugs so she could be an undercover agent for the police did not set well with me. They did not even send her to the police academy until later. She is romantically involved with her boss and evidently he with her. This is where I quit reading it.
January 13, 2016
Almost feels hard to believe this is based on a true story. Exciting foray into the dark underworld of a narcotics cop and the dangers, both internal and external, that threaten their very existence when they take this career path.
January 17, 2022
This wasn’t my usual choice for a read but my old english professor wrote it about her life and I’ve been wanting to read it since she told the class about it. The imagery was so powerful that I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
June 30, 2021
What a great story, very "gritty", very real.
It's quite obvious this is from Wozencraft's memory more then her imagination.
However, I had problems with some lingo; not being from the USA or a cop can make it tricky to understand some parts. Also, if I didn't have some former knowledge about drugs, how they work and their street names, it could have been even more confusing for me.
However I still liked this book a lot and the highs and lows seemed well constructed and I felt like the characters were "real", as in I felt bad for Kristen and Jim, felt the love connection between them, could understand her struggle with herself in various occasions, the hatred they felt in others, and even of some side characters like Walker I felt connection.
It's quite obvious this is from Wozencraft's memory more then her imagination.
However, I had problems with some lingo; not being from the USA or a cop can make it tricky to understand some parts. Also, if I didn't have some former knowledge about drugs, how they work and their street names, it could have been even more confusing for me.
However I still liked this book a lot and the highs and lows seemed well constructed and I felt like the characters were "real", as in I felt bad for Kristen and Jim, felt the love connection between them, could understand her struggle with herself in various occasions, the hatred they felt in others, and even of some side characters like Walker I felt connection.
December 6, 2020
Rewatched the movie last week and had to score a copy of the novel, which I read many, many years ago—had the same tie-in edition I just picked up—and gave away or lost or sold along the way. Goddamn, it’s so great. Even better than I remembered. The writing’s incredible. The whole thing just moves. Knockout pacing. A voice you’ll go anywhere with. As much as I love the movie, there’s so much more depth of character here. This is a personal book. It’s Kristen’s story. There’s no tight POV in the movie and way less context for what’s happening. In the book, it all makes sense.
February 24, 2022
OMGOMGOMG. SO much about drugs and addiction and corruption and violence and on and on. This took me much farther than I needed to go into the dark scary lives of undercover/addicted/anything-for-the-arrest people. And even scarier is that the author has actually been there. Not a book to pass the time with -- it made me kind of aware of any kind of meds I put in my mouth. Not in a good way. Beautifully written from a too-close perspective. Yikes.
May 29, 2018
A Page Turner and Eye Opener
A fascinating look into real vice work during the beginning of the War on Drugs. This book is full of great Texas/cops/drug '70s lingo and music.
My book club was looking for realistic fiction set in Houston. Pasadena and Beaumont and Corpus Christi are close enough.
A fascinating look into real vice work during the beginning of the War on Drugs. This book is full of great Texas/cops/drug '70s lingo and music.
My book club was looking for realistic fiction set in Houston. Pasadena and Beaumont and Corpus Christi are close enough.
July 15, 2020
A hardcore and gritty look at the “War on drugs “.
This one is not an easy book to read. It is though, very well written and totally captivating , and I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy crime novels you’ll enjoy it. If you saw the movie you’re going to be surprised by the book.
I couldn’t wait to get to the end and at the same time, I didn’t want it to be over.
This one is not an easy book to read. It is though, very well written and totally captivating , and I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy crime novels you’ll enjoy it. If you saw the movie you’re going to be surprised by the book.
I couldn’t wait to get to the end and at the same time, I didn’t want it to be over.
May 5, 2023
i really enjoyed this book. i liked the movie a lot and knowing this was based on the authors life really piqued my interest.
the book is way better and sadder than the movie itself.
this book read more to me as a long short story than a novel. there were times i wanted more than what seemed like surface level of story telling.
overall, i really enjoyed this book.
4.5 / 5
the book is way better and sadder than the movie itself.
this book read more to me as a long short story than a novel. there were times i wanted more than what seemed like surface level of story telling.
overall, i really enjoyed this book.
4.5 / 5
May 28, 2023
I couldn't get into this. I got up to 50 pages and stopped.
I just found it boring. The story didn't seem to get going. Just same tired old scenes of the main character trying drugs with the other cop she was in love with.
I read 50 pages and thought: What has happened in this story so far? And I couldn't really answer the question.
I just found it boring. The story didn't seem to get going. Just same tired old scenes of the main character trying drugs with the other cop she was in love with.
I read 50 pages and thought: What has happened in this story so far? And I couldn't really answer the question.
November 9, 2022
This book was unputdownable! Loved this book! I was a huge fan of the movie and then I found this on the shelf of my library one day and checked it out. It was so much more in depth than the movie, of course. I can’t recommend this one enough.
January 11, 2020
Like the movie better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2020
Read April 2020
June 21, 2020
One of the best books I've had the privilege of picking off the shelf.
October 12, 2020
Better Than the Movie
As always, I enjoyed the book much more than the movie. It's a sad indictment on the justice system, but very well done!
As always, I enjoyed the book much more than the movie. It's a sad indictment on the justice system, but very well done!
December 21, 2020
Read in 1990. Police corruption and drug addiction.
August 3, 2022
Very good read.
Book has different ending than the movie. I won't say anything more as this might become a spoiler alert!!!!! I liked it!
Book has different ending than the movie. I won't say anything more as this might become a spoiler alert!!!!! I liked it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews