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The Rush: A Novel
In a lawless land stricken with gold fever, the struggle for survival and fortune takes a turn towards murder in this gripping western crime novel from the author of The Wolf Road.
Gold fever has taken him. I believe he means to kill me...
Canada, 1898. The Gold Rush is on in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. Fortunes are made as quickly as they're lost, and Dawson City has become a lawless settlement.
In its midst, three women are trying to find their place on the edge of civilization. Journalist Kate, along with her dog Yukon, has travelled hundreds of miles after receiving a letter from her sister warning that her husband means to kill her. Martha's hotel and livelihood are under threat from the local strongman, who is set on buying up the town. And down by the river, where gold shimmers from between the rocks, Ellen feels her future slip away as her husband fails to find the fortune they risked so much to seek.
When a woman is found murdered, Kate, Martha and Ellen find their lives, fates and fortunes intertwined. But to unmask her killer, they must navigate a desperate land run by dangerous men who will do anything for a glimpse of gold...
Gold fever has taken him. I believe he means to kill me...
Canada, 1898. The Gold Rush is on in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. Fortunes are made as quickly as they're lost, and Dawson City has become a lawless settlement.
In its midst, three women are trying to find their place on the edge of civilization. Journalist Kate, along with her dog Yukon, has travelled hundreds of miles after receiving a letter from her sister warning that her husband means to kill her. Martha's hotel and livelihood are under threat from the local strongman, who is set on buying up the town. And down by the river, where gold shimmers from between the rocks, Ellen feels her future slip away as her husband fails to find the fortune they risked so much to seek.
When a woman is found murdered, Kate, Martha and Ellen find their lives, fates and fortunes intertwined. But to unmask her killer, they must navigate a desperate land run by dangerous men who will do anything for a glimpse of gold...
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2025
117 people are currently reading
2934 people want to read
About the author
Beth Lewis
5 books345 followersBeth Lewis was raised in the wilds of Cornwall and split her childhood between books and the beach. She has travelled extensively and has had close encounters with black bears, killer whales, and Great White sharks. She has been, at turns, a bank cashier, fire performer, juggler, and is currently working publishing. Her debut novel, The Wolf Road, was shortlisted for the inaugural Glass Bell Award and her third novel, The Origins of Iris was shortlisted for the Polari Prize. She lives in Oxford with her wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
May 5, 2025
*4.5 stars*
There’s gold in them thar hills! Well maybe, but certainly not for all!
“The Rush” is a terrific fictional tale about the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Though gold mining was mainly a masculine affair, there were also women who headed there for various reasons. The author introduces Kate, Ellen and Martha, (all based on real characters). Very much a minority group among the many men, these women had their own personal reasons for making this treacherous journey to Dawson City.
Journalist Kate, along with her dog Yukon, has travelled hundreds of miles after receiving a letter from her sister warning that her husband means to kill her. Martha's hotel and livelihood are under threat from the local strongman, who is set on buying up the town. And down by the river, where gold shimmers from between the rocks, Ellen feels her future slip away as her husband fails to find the fortune they risked so much to seek.
When a woman is found murdered, the three women’s lives become entwined in their quest to find her killer. This will be no easy task, because Dawson City is a cruel and lawless place, where gold is God, and men will let nothing or no one stand in their way.
“The Rush” was a brilliant tale devoting each chapter to one of our three protagonist’s. It’s an exciting and gripping storyline that details the journey to firstly reach the Yukon (no mean feat) and then captures the daily lives of those seeking their fortunes in this unforgiving frozen wilderness, with its long periods of darkness, and the constant threat of starvation, disease and violence.
*There were references to animal cruelty that I quickly skimmed past.* However, I loved Yukon the dog, and also our three protagonists, each with their own riveting stories. I highly recommend this wonderful book. I feel like I’ve been on quite an adventure!
*My thanks to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
There’s gold in them thar hills! Well maybe, but certainly not for all!
“The Rush” is a terrific fictional tale about the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Though gold mining was mainly a masculine affair, there were also women who headed there for various reasons. The author introduces Kate, Ellen and Martha, (all based on real characters). Very much a minority group among the many men, these women had their own personal reasons for making this treacherous journey to Dawson City.
Journalist Kate, along with her dog Yukon, has travelled hundreds of miles after receiving a letter from her sister warning that her husband means to kill her. Martha's hotel and livelihood are under threat from the local strongman, who is set on buying up the town. And down by the river, where gold shimmers from between the rocks, Ellen feels her future slip away as her husband fails to find the fortune they risked so much to seek.
When a woman is found murdered, the three women’s lives become entwined in their quest to find her killer. This will be no easy task, because Dawson City is a cruel and lawless place, where gold is God, and men will let nothing or no one stand in their way.
“The Rush” was a brilliant tale devoting each chapter to one of our three protagonist’s. It’s an exciting and gripping storyline that details the journey to firstly reach the Yukon (no mean feat) and then captures the daily lives of those seeking their fortunes in this unforgiving frozen wilderness, with its long periods of darkness, and the constant threat of starvation, disease and violence.
*There were references to animal cruelty that I quickly skimmed past.* However, I loved Yukon the dog, and also our three protagonists, each with their own riveting stories. I highly recommend this wonderful book. I feel like I’ve been on quite an adventure!
*My thanks to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
May 17, 2025
At heart, this is a murder mystery, and a fast-paced one. The story reminded me a bit of 'A Dangerous Business' by Jane Smiley - but whereas that novel was quietly atmospheric literary fiction, this felt much more rumbustious. The tone and characters have a good-natured toughness which suits the subject of the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. The focus is on strong female characters in a rough mining town, some seeking to "mine the miners" by selling them various necessities of life. (In the interesting historical note at the end, the author gives biographical sketches of real people who inspired characters in the book). 4.5⭐ rounded up.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
June 10, 2025
Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧
At its core, The Rush is a historical murder mystery, but Beth Lewis sweeps us back to 1890’s Canada and The Gold Rush in a way that elevates the story and allows it to span several genres, giving voice to the woman of the times who are so often forgotten in the stories. I highly recommend hanging around for the authors note at the end where she shares the inspiration for the story and the characters.
We have 3 main female protagonists to tell this epic tale;
Journalist Kate. Who sets out for the Yukon with her dog aptly named Yukon with the premise of writing the stories of the journey and the miners, but also on the hunt for her sister, who she fears is in danger.
Ellen, who has settled on the land with her husband who is failing miserably in his hopes of striking it rich.
Martha (Ma) the local hotelier and madam who has rightly predicted that the men will be in need of more than one home comfort in a hard land.
When a body turns up, the 3 woman unite to uncover the killer, but along the way, with the guidance of a fortune teller, they discover themselves, their wants and needs and friendship in a hard land.
This is one of my favourite reads in a long time, a big story with big characters, and scenery and story so well written you’ll be sure you’ve hopped back in time. I feel a best seller coming on.
The choice to have 3 separate narrators for the characters was perfect and Deborah McBride, Georgina Sadler and Kate Hanford delivered knockout performances 🎧
4.5 🌟
Huge thanks to Profile Books Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
At its core, The Rush is a historical murder mystery, but Beth Lewis sweeps us back to 1890’s Canada and The Gold Rush in a way that elevates the story and allows it to span several genres, giving voice to the woman of the times who are so often forgotten in the stories. I highly recommend hanging around for the authors note at the end where she shares the inspiration for the story and the characters.
We have 3 main female protagonists to tell this epic tale;
Journalist Kate. Who sets out for the Yukon with her dog aptly named Yukon with the premise of writing the stories of the journey and the miners, but also on the hunt for her sister, who she fears is in danger.
Ellen, who has settled on the land with her husband who is failing miserably in his hopes of striking it rich.
Martha (Ma) the local hotelier and madam who has rightly predicted that the men will be in need of more than one home comfort in a hard land.
When a body turns up, the 3 woman unite to uncover the killer, but along the way, with the guidance of a fortune teller, they discover themselves, their wants and needs and friendship in a hard land.
This is one of my favourite reads in a long time, a big story with big characters, and scenery and story so well written you’ll be sure you’ve hopped back in time. I feel a best seller coming on.
The choice to have 3 separate narrators for the characters was perfect and Deborah McBride, Georgina Sadler and Kate Hanford delivered knockout performances 🎧
4.5 🌟
Huge thanks to Profile Books Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
October 21, 2025
2.5* rounded up to 3*
The Rush by Beth Lewis is a vividly written novel set during the Klondike Gold Rush, following the lives of three women—each driven by survival and the promise of fortune in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. I’ve had this book on my TBR for a long time and eagerly awaited its release, so I was excited to finally dive in. The research is excellent and the author really describes the harsh beauty and brutality of the era. However, while the story is told through multiple POVs, I found myself only truly invested in Kate’s storyline. I struggled to connect with the other characters and I felt the pace of the story was too slow at times. Mine is an outlier review (again). However, there are many great 5* reviews.
The Rush by Beth Lewis is a vividly written novel set during the Klondike Gold Rush, following the lives of three women—each driven by survival and the promise of fortune in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. I’ve had this book on my TBR for a long time and eagerly awaited its release, so I was excited to finally dive in. The research is excellent and the author really describes the harsh beauty and brutality of the era. However, while the story is told through multiple POVs, I found myself only truly invested in Kate’s storyline. I struggled to connect with the other characters and I felt the pace of the story was too slow at times. Mine is an outlier review (again). However, there are many great 5* reviews.
April 28, 2025
The best book I’ve read this month - I couldn’t put this down and was hooked from the very first chapter! I loved every single one of our very different, but strong and independent leading women, and the story was as exciting as the gold rush itself! I adore books that have that western feeling to them, and this is one of the best - and definitely my favourite of the author’s, who is a brilliant writer.
The only negative thing I would say is that there’s a lot of animal violence and death, which I really can’t stomach so had to skim over. Otherwise, a fantastic read!
The only negative thing I would say is that there’s a lot of animal violence and death, which I really can’t stomach so had to skim over. Otherwise, a fantastic read!
August 18, 2025
I enjoyed this audiobook.
It follows three women who are each affected by the 'Gold Rush' in Canada in 1898. I didn't know much about the Gold Rush prior to starting this book, but it was an interesting, gripping and enjoyable listem. The three narrators did a stellar job of conveying the emotion of each woman's story.
I didn't think it quite had the emotional impact for me, which is why I've chosen 4 stars.
It follows three women who are each affected by the 'Gold Rush' in Canada in 1898. I didn't know much about the Gold Rush prior to starting this book, but it was an interesting, gripping and enjoyable listem. The three narrators did a stellar job of conveying the emotion of each woman's story.
I didn't think it quite had the emotional impact for me, which is why I've chosen 4 stars.
July 7, 2025
Absolutely brilliant! The characters Martha, Ellen and Kate are all from such very different backgrounds but are connected through the murder of someone close to all three. The three female protagonists are all strong women - a character trait necessary for survival in the gold rush taking place in the Klondike region of Canada in the late 1800s.
Great plot with lots of interesting moments and definitely a lot of action. Really well-paced. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I was curious how accurate the events were and found a substantial part of the novel inspired by real life events. This was really interesting in itself to read about alongside the novel.
I am also particularly excited to see Goldsboro Books have a special edition of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Great plot with lots of interesting moments and definitely a lot of action. Really well-paced. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I was curious how accurate the events were and found a substantial part of the novel inspired by real life events. This was really interesting in itself to read about alongside the novel.
I am also particularly excited to see Goldsboro Books have a special edition of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
June 7, 2025
Beth Lewis has quickly become one of my go-to authors and so I had rather high expectations where 'The Rush' was concerned. I'm happy to say that, once again, Beth Lewis delivered. And then some.
'The Rush' features three women caught up in the gold rush of the late 1890s up in the Klondike region of Canada. Kate is a reporter, who has travelled miles in search of her sister; Ellen lives down by the river, stuck in a most unhappy marriage; and Martha owns the hotel, which is constantly under threat from someone who is buying up the entire town. When a woman is found murdered, these three women will find themselves connected somehow, and their lives will never be the same.
I adored absolutely everything about 'The Rush'. From the very first page, I found myself transported to a time and place I knew very little about. First up, there's an exhilarating adventure while Kate is traveling to the Klondike region. Mountain passes, and rapids, and ice rivers, and whatnot. It's a miracle to know people actually made those journeys and crossed this incredibly unforgiving landscape to get to places unknown in search of gold. Many won't make it there, lose loved ones along the way, or arrive without the supplies they paid for. And for many, none of it will be worth it.
Martha's story is the story of a strong-willed woman, who will not let anyone walk all over her. She's quite the mother figure, trying to look after those in her employ as best as she can, to keep them safe from the local douchebag. But all may not be well with Martha, and soon she will have a choice to make and she will have to decide what her future will look like.
I probably found myself most invested in Ellen's life down by the river. Ellen married young, but her marriage is far from the fairytale she expected. She finds herself pretty much a prisoner of the husband who cares little about her, who keeps adding debt upon debt while trying to find a fortune in the midst of the mud. Despite the harsh circumstances, Ellen loves it here. She just doesn't love her husband.
In case it's not clear, the men don't come out of this looking well. Bar a few that I think you can count on one hand, they're mean and brutal. Nothing matters expect finding gold and amassing a fortune. There are plenty of potential suspects where the murder of the local woman is concerned. But will the killer ever be found?
These three formidable, fierce, and independent women won me over in an instant and I felt rather sad when my time with them came to an end. This tale of survival showcases the strength of women in the most ruthless environment, surrounded by unfeeling men who are blinded by the rush. Inspired by some real life women, I loved every minute of their absorbing stories and I wholeheartedly appreciate that Beth Lewis gave them the spotlight they so rightfully deserve. This is once again superb storytelling from this author and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
'The Rush' features three women caught up in the gold rush of the late 1890s up in the Klondike region of Canada. Kate is a reporter, who has travelled miles in search of her sister; Ellen lives down by the river, stuck in a most unhappy marriage; and Martha owns the hotel, which is constantly under threat from someone who is buying up the entire town. When a woman is found murdered, these three women will find themselves connected somehow, and their lives will never be the same.
I adored absolutely everything about 'The Rush'. From the very first page, I found myself transported to a time and place I knew very little about. First up, there's an exhilarating adventure while Kate is traveling to the Klondike region. Mountain passes, and rapids, and ice rivers, and whatnot. It's a miracle to know people actually made those journeys and crossed this incredibly unforgiving landscape to get to places unknown in search of gold. Many won't make it there, lose loved ones along the way, or arrive without the supplies they paid for. And for many, none of it will be worth it.
Martha's story is the story of a strong-willed woman, who will not let anyone walk all over her. She's quite the mother figure, trying to look after those in her employ as best as she can, to keep them safe from the local douchebag. But all may not be well with Martha, and soon she will have a choice to make and she will have to decide what her future will look like.
I probably found myself most invested in Ellen's life down by the river. Ellen married young, but her marriage is far from the fairytale she expected. She finds herself pretty much a prisoner of the husband who cares little about her, who keeps adding debt upon debt while trying to find a fortune in the midst of the mud. Despite the harsh circumstances, Ellen loves it here. She just doesn't love her husband.
In case it's not clear, the men don't come out of this looking well. Bar a few that I think you can count on one hand, they're mean and brutal. Nothing matters expect finding gold and amassing a fortune. There are plenty of potential suspects where the murder of the local woman is concerned. But will the killer ever be found?
These three formidable, fierce, and independent women won me over in an instant and I felt rather sad when my time with them came to an end. This tale of survival showcases the strength of women in the most ruthless environment, surrounded by unfeeling men who are blinded by the rush. Inspired by some real life women, I loved every minute of their absorbing stories and I wholeheartedly appreciate that Beth Lewis gave them the spotlight they so rightfully deserve. This is once again superb storytelling from this author and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
October 8, 2025
The words compelling and gripping are often used to describe a book, and if they were ever fitting for a story, it would be this one!
Beautifully told, The Rush captures the beauty and savagery of the Yukon area during the rush for gold in the 1890s. It’s a moving and powerful story, and one that brought that slice of history to life for me in a very immersive way.
It’s told from the viewpoint of three different women who each had a very distinct voice and personality. Their strength, grit, and resilience was inspiring, and through their eyes we see how too often humanity got sacrificed on the trail for gold.
The vivid descriptions of the area made it feel like it was its own defiant and untamable character.
By turns beautiful and moving, and then in a heartbeat raw and gritty, this is a story that I couldn’t put down, and one that will stick with me for quite some time.
Highly recommended for fans of exceptionally written historical fiction.
Beautifully told, The Rush captures the beauty and savagery of the Yukon area during the rush for gold in the 1890s. It’s a moving and powerful story, and one that brought that slice of history to life for me in a very immersive way.
It’s told from the viewpoint of three different women who each had a very distinct voice and personality. Their strength, grit, and resilience was inspiring, and through their eyes we see how too often humanity got sacrificed on the trail for gold.
The vivid descriptions of the area made it feel like it was its own defiant and untamable character.
By turns beautiful and moving, and then in a heartbeat raw and gritty, this is a story that I couldn’t put down, and one that will stick with me for quite some time.
Highly recommended for fans of exceptionally written historical fiction.
May 1, 2025
The Rush is a fabulous novel about the Gold Rush in Canada in the late 1800s. It takes us to Dawson City and introduces us to three strong-willed women in a world where men seem to hold all the power—or do they?
Our three main characters offer a nuanced view of Dawson City and the surrounding area during the Gold Rush. We have our brothel owner, Martha (although she thinks of it differently), our prospector's wife, Ellen, and our young news reporter, Kate, who is also a visitor to the area. And we also have a mystery to solve: Who murdered Molly?
This is a fast-paced novel, the narrative switching between our three women and moving slightly backwards and forwards through time. It is a fascinating look at what was happening in 1898 and how this affected those involved. It is at times bleak and unsettling. It is also an interesting examination of what drove men (and women) to venture to such inhospitable locations. The mystery itself is well-plotted and keeps readers on their toes. Who killed Molly? And more importantly why?
I found this novel to be thoroughly engrossing. I especially enjoyed learning how the author devised her characters based on real historical personalities.
A fine read. Sure to be devoured by all.
Our three main characters offer a nuanced view of Dawson City and the surrounding area during the Gold Rush. We have our brothel owner, Martha (although she thinks of it differently), our prospector's wife, Ellen, and our young news reporter, Kate, who is also a visitor to the area. And we also have a mystery to solve: Who murdered Molly?
This is a fast-paced novel, the narrative switching between our three women and moving slightly backwards and forwards through time. It is a fascinating look at what was happening in 1898 and how this affected those involved. It is at times bleak and unsettling. It is also an interesting examination of what drove men (and women) to venture to such inhospitable locations. The mystery itself is well-plotted and keeps readers on their toes. Who killed Molly? And more importantly why?
I found this novel to be thoroughly engrossing. I especially enjoyed learning how the author devised her characters based on real historical personalities.
A fine read. Sure to be devoured by all.
May 27, 2025
I didn't know what to expect from this title, but I loved it.
The author paints a vivid picture of life during the Klondike Rush period and even though some of the main characters could feel a little stereotypical (Ellen; the housewife, Martha; the Madam, Kate; the unconventional woman of her time) each of the women feel fleshed out and you can't help root for them.
While the whodunnit plot had a few twists and turns to try keep the reader guessing, I personally felt it was obvious who the culprit was - but it didn't take away any enjoyment from the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viper audio for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The author paints a vivid picture of life during the Klondike Rush period and even though some of the main characters could feel a little stereotypical (Ellen; the housewife, Martha; the Madam, Kate; the unconventional woman of her time) each of the women feel fleshed out and you can't help root for them.
While the whodunnit plot had a few twists and turns to try keep the reader guessing, I personally felt it was obvious who the culprit was - but it didn't take away any enjoyment from the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viper audio for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 17, 2025
Great riveting read with three Strong female narratives pulling the story together , clever plotting and characterisation , I love anything to do with the “wild west “ and the murder thrown in , a gold rush “whodunnit “ make it even more engaging - however not a 5 star for me purely due to the ending and the last 20 odd pages which felt v weak compared to rest of the story - however the historical notes from the author at the end are gripping ! Beth Lewis links the stories of the real people of history from these towns to her characters and the real gold rush of Dawson city , Klondike and Skagway . A fantastic page turning debut
July 1, 2025
I loved this! I’ve never read anything by Beth Lewis before, or even come across her, but this is one of my favourite books of the year so far. It’s set in Canada during the Gold Rush and follows the stories of three very different women whose paths cross in Dawson City in the Klondike.
The Rush begins with the arrival of Kate Kelly in Skaguay (now Skagway), Alaska, in 1898. Kate is there to meet up with the guide who is going to take her along the White Pass Trail, the route to Yukon and the Klondike goldfields. She needs to get there as quickly as possible because she has received a desperate plea for help from her sister, Charlotte, in Dawson City: This may be my last letter. He has finally found me and there is nowhere left to run.
In the little Klondike settlement of Boulder Creek, Ellen Rhodes spends her days alone in her cabin, cooking, cleaning and washing, while her husband, Charlie, goes down to the river and digs for gold that never appears. Ellen is sure they’re wasting their time and money, but Charlie refuses to give up on his dream. Finally, we meet Martha, owner of the Dawson Hotel, which doubles as the town’s brothel. Martha is fiercely proud of the business she has built up and is determined to keep it out of the hands of the ruthless Bill Mathers, who seems to be buying up the entire town.
The three women take turns to narrate the story, with the viewpoints rotating throughout the book. They are leading very separate lives at first, but are drawn together when one of Martha’s girls is found murdered. They’re also connected by a mysterious fortune teller who encounters all three of them and seems to have an uncanny ability to truly predict the future. There’s a mystery element to the novel as the women try to find out who the murder victim really is, who has killed her and why, but although this was intriguing and cleverly plotted, what I really loved was the setting and learning what it was like to be a woman in that fascinating but harsh environment where there were any number of natural and man-made disasters – an avalanche, a fire, an outbreak of typhoid – that could change everything in an instant.
I seem to read very few historical novels set in Canada, so I was pleased to have come across one with such a strong sense of place. The vivid descriptions made it easy for me to imagine the cabin by the river where Ellen and Charlie’s marriage falls apart, a victim to the obsessive fever that grabs hold of some human beings when gold is mentioned, and the streets of Dawson City where enterprising men and women like Martha have discovered that the real fortune is to be made not from mining but from the miners. But I particularly enjoyed following Kate’s journey from Alaska into Canada’s Yukon territory, a journey which includes a dramatic, exhilarating adventure crossing the dangerous White Horse Rapids.
I had assumed that the characters were entirely fictional, so I was surprised to read the author’s note at the end of the book and discover that many of them, including Kate, Ellen and Martha, are actually based loosely on real historical figures. This really is a fascinating book, in so many different ways, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The Rush begins with the arrival of Kate Kelly in Skaguay (now Skagway), Alaska, in 1898. Kate is there to meet up with the guide who is going to take her along the White Pass Trail, the route to Yukon and the Klondike goldfields. She needs to get there as quickly as possible because she has received a desperate plea for help from her sister, Charlotte, in Dawson City: This may be my last letter. He has finally found me and there is nowhere left to run.
In the little Klondike settlement of Boulder Creek, Ellen Rhodes spends her days alone in her cabin, cooking, cleaning and washing, while her husband, Charlie, goes down to the river and digs for gold that never appears. Ellen is sure they’re wasting their time and money, but Charlie refuses to give up on his dream. Finally, we meet Martha, owner of the Dawson Hotel, which doubles as the town’s brothel. Martha is fiercely proud of the business she has built up and is determined to keep it out of the hands of the ruthless Bill Mathers, who seems to be buying up the entire town.
The three women take turns to narrate the story, with the viewpoints rotating throughout the book. They are leading very separate lives at first, but are drawn together when one of Martha’s girls is found murdered. They’re also connected by a mysterious fortune teller who encounters all three of them and seems to have an uncanny ability to truly predict the future. There’s a mystery element to the novel as the women try to find out who the murder victim really is, who has killed her and why, but although this was intriguing and cleverly plotted, what I really loved was the setting and learning what it was like to be a woman in that fascinating but harsh environment where there were any number of natural and man-made disasters – an avalanche, a fire, an outbreak of typhoid – that could change everything in an instant.
I seem to read very few historical novels set in Canada, so I was pleased to have come across one with such a strong sense of place. The vivid descriptions made it easy for me to imagine the cabin by the river where Ellen and Charlie’s marriage falls apart, a victim to the obsessive fever that grabs hold of some human beings when gold is mentioned, and the streets of Dawson City where enterprising men and women like Martha have discovered that the real fortune is to be made not from mining but from the miners. But I particularly enjoyed following Kate’s journey from Alaska into Canada’s Yukon territory, a journey which includes a dramatic, exhilarating adventure crossing the dangerous White Horse Rapids.
I had assumed that the characters were entirely fictional, so I was surprised to read the author’s note at the end of the book and discover that many of them, including Kate, Ellen and Martha, are actually based loosely on real historical figures. This really is a fascinating book, in so many different ways, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
August 25, 2025
Listened to the audio, great narration and loved the intertwining stories
December 14, 2025
-1 for queerbaiting
April 25, 2025
4.5⭐️ Wow what a book. Great storytelling with vivid descriptions of a lawless town during the Gold Rush of 1898. Our three main characters are all strong women with different problems in their lives who come together as friends. With murder and the gold rush fever in the town, the pace of the story was excellent and I couldn’t put the book down. Highly recommended.
dnf
July 17, 2025DNF - there's too much animal cruelty for me to continue as it's a big trigger for me.
August 24, 2025
Hard as nails yet compassionate women dependent on the whims of powerful men. Meet the women of the Klondike Gold Rush. Three women make their way against the growing madness, desperation and lust over shiny gold nuggets that has taken over Dawson City. Kate, a journalist, comes alone except for her dog searching for her sister who is in danger. Ellen, a wife little prepared for the rigors of life in the camps, trying to keep ahead of the mounting debt and desperation of her husband's search for gold on their chunk of land. Martha, the hotel owner, who treats her girls like daughters but whose future is threatened by a power hungry landowner bent on taking it all away from her. The savage death of a woman brings these women together to find her killer. Beautifully written, Beth Lewis presents a classic western tale with a fresh perspective. A land of incredible beauty and savagery both from the wilderness itself and those fighting to get rich from it. Readers of LONESOME DOVE and THE PROSPECTORS as well as female driven westerns such as OUTLAWED, LONE WOMEN and HOW MUCH THESE HILLS IS GOLD will find much to love here. I didn't want it to end. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
April 28, 2025
The Rush is an evocative exciting and at times heartbreaking story of the Yukon gold rush where thousands of men uprooted themselves travelling through treacherous territories to become rich. There has never been a better description of how gold fever caused men to lose their minds and life in their attempts to become rich.
Here we have three very different women telling the story which interlink seamlessly and beautifully. Kate has arrived in Skagway she has been tasked with writing an article for a newspaper, a lone traveller at very difficult times.
Ellen is married to Charles who has a hunger to find gold using Ellen’s fathers money, he is selfish and headstrong refusing to listen to anyone.
Martha a saloon owner and madam to a group of prostitutes is making her fortune from all the prospectors.
Each of these woman are strong characters and well described, you are drawn into their world and follow the trials they endure.
Based on a time in history that has been well documented this is a page turning engrossing read which evokes many emotional highs and lows as you follow their lives.
I have visited Skagway and travelled the White Pass and read snippets of history around the town, this book has brought it all to life in the vivid descriptions and scenes. Highly recommended not just as a fabulous read but also a fascinating history lesson.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Here we have three very different women telling the story which interlink seamlessly and beautifully. Kate has arrived in Skagway she has been tasked with writing an article for a newspaper, a lone traveller at very difficult times.
Ellen is married to Charles who has a hunger to find gold using Ellen’s fathers money, he is selfish and headstrong refusing to listen to anyone.
Martha a saloon owner and madam to a group of prostitutes is making her fortune from all the prospectors.
Each of these woman are strong characters and well described, you are drawn into their world and follow the trials they endure.
Based on a time in history that has been well documented this is a page turning engrossing read which evokes many emotional highs and lows as you follow their lives.
I have visited Skagway and travelled the White Pass and read snippets of history around the town, this book has brought it all to life in the vivid descriptions and scenes. Highly recommended not just as a fabulous read but also a fascinating history lesson.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
April 25, 2025
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
This was my first Beth Lewis novel and it was not a disappointment. The story of the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890’s was brutal, the conditions the miners had to live in, the dirt, the disease and the living conditions in town were all described so thoroughly you thought you were there. The story also covers the lives of 3 women who because of a tragedy meet and form friendships in a male dominated world.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book highly recommend 4.5 ⭐️
This was my first Beth Lewis novel and it was not a disappointment. The story of the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890’s was brutal, the conditions the miners had to live in, the dirt, the disease and the living conditions in town were all described so thoroughly you thought you were there. The story also covers the lives of 3 women who because of a tragedy meet and form friendships in a male dominated world.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book highly recommend 4.5 ⭐️
September 16, 2025
"It exhausted me, sometimes, being a woman in a world of men."
"In the night come the wolves, in the day come the bears, but always there are the men."
"All this kindness, it almost hurt, as if I could not believe it was real, because this world wasn't kind, this world wasn't generous, and yet somehow these people were."
"A free life is not something everyone may have. But it is something everyone deserves."
"Do not let your choices be made by someone who regrets their own."
"In the night come the wolves, in the day come the bears, but always there are the men."
"All this kindness, it almost hurt, as if I could not believe it was real, because this world wasn't kind, this world wasn't generous, and yet somehow these people were."
"A free life is not something everyone may have. But it is something everyone deserves."
"Do not let your choices be made by someone who regrets their own."
August 18, 2025
I’ve just finished this on audible and absolutely loved it. The Gold Rush was not something I knew anything about really other than from fragments of western movies. Both this as the backdrop and the story of women in a male dominated environment is crafted well so as not to be brash and yet challenging and engaging. If you’re keen on exploring something new I’d definitely recommend
October 10, 2025
3.5 stars - I don't know much about the Yukon Gold Rush so this was a really interesting read and I liked how the three stories wove together to solve the mystery. It lost a little bit of steam at the end but enjoyed it overall.
All I felt was heat simmering inside me. A woman can hold her rage for a lifetime. Men fight theirs out. Spend it nightly, a few punches here and there.
All I felt was heat simmering inside me. A woman can hold her rage for a lifetime. Men fight theirs out. Spend it nightly, a few punches here and there.
December 10, 2025
Maybe 2.5
April 25, 2025
Character driven story of life during the gold rush in the Yukon.
This novel concentrates on the lives of 3 women - Kate, Ellen, and Martha, whose lives become intertwined. Each facing their own challenges in what is undoubtedly a man’s world.
Kate is travelling alone in the search for her sister. Martha is running a hotel/ brothel, and Ellen keeps house while her husband mines an unsuccessful claim.
I was attracted to this book based on the female narrative of life in such a difficult time and place, and the story is vivid in its demonstration of the hard living of those prospecting for gold, and the brutality of their lives. I loved the book even more on reading the historical notes at the end about who each character was based on -had been skeptic about the fortune teller!
This novel concentrates on the lives of 3 women - Kate, Ellen, and Martha, whose lives become intertwined. Each facing their own challenges in what is undoubtedly a man’s world.
Kate is travelling alone in the search for her sister. Martha is running a hotel/ brothel, and Ellen keeps house while her husband mines an unsuccessful claim.
I was attracted to this book based on the female narrative of life in such a difficult time and place, and the story is vivid in its demonstration of the hard living of those prospecting for gold, and the brutality of their lives. I loved the book even more on reading the historical notes at the end about who each character was based on -had been skeptic about the fortune teller!
October 21, 2025
Interesting take on the gold rush. This book follows the fictional stories of three women drawn together in one place during the gold rush years. Most books are tales of the men who came to find their fortune, women were just the in the background. Beth Lewis brings form and character to these women and weaves a story equal to the many traditional ones of adventure,jeopardy and crime. Great descriptions of a mining town and the dangerous life those who took up the challenge found when they got there.
September 16, 2025
The Rush is a powerful story that brings together the harsh reality of the Klondike gold rush with the unexpected strength of the women who lived through it. The writing is vivid and atmospheric, capturing both the brutality of the place and the intimacy of personal choices.
What stands out most are the female characters: complex, resilient, and unforgettable as they fight for freedom and survival in a world built to crush them. 💛
It’s a brutal yet liberating read that shows the real treasure isn’t gold, but solidarity and the courage to choose your own path.
“Everyone is equal in the race for gold. That is the great lie of this place. The lie of gold itself.”
“There is no justice in the Klondike except that which we exact ourselves.”
“My choice is not between men, but between shackles and freedom.”
“We three were tied together by the threads of a life cut short. Our fates entwined, as all women are.”
“Love is rarer than gold up here, and God knows you can’t have both.”
What stands out most are the female characters: complex, resilient, and unforgettable as they fight for freedom and survival in a world built to crush them. 💛
It’s a brutal yet liberating read that shows the real treasure isn’t gold, but solidarity and the courage to choose your own path.
“Everyone is equal in the race for gold. That is the great lie of this place. The lie of gold itself.”
“There is no justice in the Klondike except that which we exact ourselves.”
“My choice is not between men, but between shackles and freedom.”
“We three were tied together by the threads of a life cut short. Our fates entwined, as all women are.”
“Love is rarer than gold up here, and God knows you can’t have both.”
September 8, 2025
I remember seeing footage of modern day Dawson City on the Canada series of BBC’s Race across the World and this book really brought it alive to me as the place that it would have been during the Gold Rush. It didn’t over romanticise what must have been a stark and often brutal way of life but through the interweaving of the stories of the three female protagonists I was really drawn in and kept wanting to read on. I liked the delicate touch with which the author handled the relationships between these independent and strong women. A good historical novel set in a less frequently written about but undeniably interesting time.
May 21, 2025
4.5
Well, I'll be blown over - this book was pretty darn awesome and audio was a fantastic medium in which to enjoy it.
Audio Review 🎧
Our three main characters each had their own voice actor. I loved Martha with her beautiful drawl and period-authentic speech patterns. I was never able to set the book down before a Martha chapter. Ellie and Kate were also fine voice actors. Some of Kate's sections felt a little stilted (this could have been the writing, not necessarily the delivery) and Kate's actor did Martha dirty with her in-chapter accent; but, overall this was really well done. Each actor had a fantastic range and delivery that was uniquely their own. I loved spending time in this world. Even though I was hooked on the story, I tried my darnedest to pace myself with it!
Story Review 📖
I recently finished playing RDR2 and this book filled the huge gaping hole the game left in my heart. 💛 The sense of place was fantastically rendered: from the claims to the hotel to the rivers to Dawson, I felt like I was there. I was pulling up internet image searches while I listened too!
💛 The characters were authentically, if sometimes frustratingly, human. Kate's character (and her relationship with her dog, Yukon) was a stand-out for me as a strong, independent woman. She had bravery, honour, and a helluva growth arc. Martha and Molly grabbed me for different reasons. I loved the complexity of these women and their characters really came to life for me. Ellie was a bit trickier to root for (largely because I hate the withholding-information-as-plot-device trope) but I warmed to her over the latter half of the book.
💛 The story was full of adventure and while we sometimes leaned toward melodrama, it wasn't laboured intolerably. I felt that the last 30% was a bit OTT (in terms of suspending disbelief in some places and maybe one 'gotcha' too many) but I was so deeply invested by that point. I did guess Kate's sister's thread early on but it was also revealed pretty early. I had my theories about the murderer but the story did a lot to make me doubt my hypothesis, which was so great.
💛 The writing flowed like the Yukon River. Beautiful turns of phrase, artful illustration of people and place, and a fairly consistent pace made this an immersive read. There were a handful of times dialogue felt stilted (I only noticed this in the Kate chapters) but I'd be curious to see if I felt the if I were to read this book on paper.
💛 No romance thread!
⚠️ Content Caution: This is set in the wilds of 1898 so there's a lot of violence: murder, death, illness, sexual violence, misogyny. There's also animal cruelty (dog fighting) and dog injury.
🐶 Is Yukon the dog okay?
If you like adventure stories, check this out.
If you're curious about Canada in the gold rush, check this out.
If you love strong, human, women characters supporting each other, check this out.
If you want a performance, not just a reading, check this out on audio.
I'm already looking forward to reading this again when it comes out in print!
Thanks to Viper for the opportunity to review this audiobook. 🐍
Well, I'll be blown over - this book was pretty darn awesome and audio was a fantastic medium in which to enjoy it.
Audio Review 🎧
Our three main characters each had their own voice actor. I loved Martha with her beautiful drawl and period-authentic speech patterns. I was never able to set the book down before a Martha chapter. Ellie and Kate were also fine voice actors. Some of Kate's sections felt a little stilted (this could have been the writing, not necessarily the delivery) and Kate's actor did Martha dirty with her in-chapter accent; but, overall this was really well done. Each actor had a fantastic range and delivery that was uniquely their own. I loved spending time in this world. Even though I was hooked on the story, I tried my darnedest to pace myself with it!
Story Review 📖
I recently finished playing RDR2 and this book filled the huge gaping hole the game left in my heart. 💛 The sense of place was fantastically rendered: from the claims to the hotel to the rivers to Dawson, I felt like I was there. I was pulling up internet image searches while I listened too!
💛 The characters were authentically, if sometimes frustratingly, human. Kate's character (and her relationship with her dog, Yukon) was a stand-out for me as a strong, independent woman. She had bravery, honour, and a helluva growth arc. Martha and Molly grabbed me for different reasons. I loved the complexity of these women and their characters really came to life for me. Ellie was a bit trickier to root for (largely because I hate the withholding-information-as-plot-device trope) but I warmed to her over the latter half of the book.
💛 The story was full of adventure and while we sometimes leaned toward melodrama, it wasn't laboured intolerably. I felt that the last 30% was a bit OTT (in terms of suspending disbelief in some places and maybe one 'gotcha' too many) but I was so deeply invested by that point. I did guess Kate's sister's thread early on but it was also revealed pretty early. I had my theories about the murderer but the story did a lot to make me doubt my hypothesis, which was so great.
💛 The writing flowed like the Yukon River. Beautiful turns of phrase, artful illustration of people and place, and a fairly consistent pace made this an immersive read. There were a handful of times dialogue felt stilted (I only noticed this in the Kate chapters) but I'd be curious to see if I felt the if I were to read this book on paper.
💛 No romance thread!
⚠️ Content Caution: This is set in the wilds of 1898 so there's a lot of violence: murder, death, illness, sexual violence, misogyny. There's also animal cruelty (dog fighting) and dog injury.
🐶 Is Yukon the dog okay?
If you like adventure stories, check this out.
If you're curious about Canada in the gold rush, check this out.
If you love strong, human, women characters supporting each other, check this out.
If you want a performance, not just a reading, check this out on audio.
I'm already looking forward to reading this again when it comes out in print!
Thanks to Viper for the opportunity to review this audiobook. 🐍
May 5, 2025
This is a very engaging story about the Gold Rush in the Klondike in which we meet several female characters whose paths cross. Quite a familiar setting as I've read a few books about the gold rush but in this one the characters are really strong and relatable. There's a murder/ mystery, plenty of adventure and a few plot twists but overall it's a story of friendship and women fighting to have rights denied them by tradition and the pretty awful men around them. Definitely has a feminist slant and is a book for women about women.
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