This was my first novel by Beth Lewis, and I will certainly be seeking out more of her work. The narrative vividly captures the harsh realities of the Alaskan frontier—raging rapids, avalanches, gold fever, a typhoid epidemic, and the fire in Dawson City—all set against a backdrop of lawlessness and survival.

Told through the perspectives of three strong and distinct female protagonists, the story is compelling and well-paced. I found it difficult to put down at times. Beyond its excitement, the novel evoked a wide range of emotions: fear, sorrow, tension, awe at the beauty of the Yukon, and deep frustration at the systemic mistreatment of women during that era

This is a thrilling story of 3 women surviving in a wilderness within a man's world. Klondike, 1898, we meet Kate, Martha and Ellen - (women from different backgrounds) - Dawson City is a lawless place where fortunes are made or lost and men rule over the women. I found myself rooting for the women and how they come together as a solid team! It was well written and very descriptive. It was full of twists and turns, taut, tense and unputdownable.

I found myself struck with gold fever whilst reading The Rush. The atmosphere and sensibilities of the late 1800s Canadian Yukon struck a chord with me. This blend of western/adventure story/mystery hit all the right notes by immersing the reader into this time and place. I was interested in each of three main characters: Martha, who runs the local hotel; Kate, a journalist searching for her sister; Ellen, whose husband is desperate to strike gold being deeply in debt. A mystery brings them together in the quest for the truth.

Living in the Yukon before the turn of the century was not an easy existence, especially for a woman. It was good to view this life through these three people with differing levels of knowledge on how to succeed in this tough, unforgiving man's world. Martha is world weary and has a good measure of all and sundry who she deals with daily. A matriarch, of sorts, she has her smarts and a bit of muscle who help her protect 'her girls'. Ellen is rather jaded by the life she lives as each day proves to her that her husband may be more talk than action, not quite living up to expectations. Kate undertakes the arduous journey from Kansas to the Yukon with her trusty dog aptly named Yukon. She is innocent, but not a fool, and learns how to adapt to this difficult existence.

Life is cheap, here, and justice is unlikely to be found. The Rush gave the unvarnished truth of this age and a real feel for what it would have been like to be in the heart of the gold rush among so many desperate souls. I felt fully immersed by this story and would have loved it to go on and on. Well crafted storytelling at its finest. I loved The Rush.

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 for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Beth Lewis never disappoints. Her novels are always original and this is her best yet. Set in the Gold Rush in Klondike in Canada, she captures the hunger of those seeking a better life, the harsh reality of the environment and the underlying violence that seeps through the town. The protagonists are strong females, namely Kate Kelly, a journalist who is trying to locate her sister, Martha who runs the town hotel/brothel and Ellen Rhodes who, at first seems like a placid miner’s wife, but who is deeply unhappy. The story of the three women intersects and the story has the reader truly immersed. A heartfelt thoughtful tale. Highly recommended.

The Klondike Gold Rush is usually told from the perspective of men, but of course there were women in the goldfields and this book looks at the era from the perspective of three women - Martha who runs a brothel, Ellen who is married to a failed (and bullying) prospector and Kate who travels there as a journalist to tell the story of life in the fields, but actually is wanting to trace her missing sister, Charlotte, who's last letter spoke of an abusive husband who had tracked her down.

The result is a really well told and interesting tale, telling of life in Dawson City, but also of the difficulties women of this period of history faced when they tried to show independence and govern their own lives. The story is uplifting and very relevant to today, but also a great snapshot of life in the short-lived gold rush. Life was hard, for men and women, but men had much more control of how they lived and died.

Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent's Tail, Viper and Profile Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for an unchallenging yet engaging novel of life in the Klondike in the 1800s then this could be for you. Told in the first person from the viewpoints of Kate, Ma and Ellen, women initially not known to each other but who become closely linked as the novel progresses, The Rush portrays the lives of women (and men) in a gold-rush town. With themes of loss, rivalry and betrayal, friendship and love, and ultimately hope and self empowerment.

What an absolutely magnificent book this was! I read an eARC of this book on Net Galley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book just evoked its time and place so perfectly. It’s set in the late 19th century in the Yukon during the gold rush. We see the challenges to survive in this remote and dangerous (and beautiful) terrain, the greed and lawlessness of some who seek to exploit the land and others, the way civility is stripped away from people when great wealth is a possibility. Setting and atmosphere were incredible.

This book is told from the perspectives of three different women. We have a journalist making her way on the treacherous journey to the Yukon, a hotel owner being pressured to sell by a monstrous man, a wife of a claim owner becoming increasingly disillusioned with her dishonest and weak willed husband. These women will change each others lives substantially. I loved seeing this female lens of a moment in history that is predominantly quite male focused. It was so fascinating and really challenged some of the toxic views that certain characters held.

This was a brilliant read that I couldn’t put down! I was absolutely mesmerised and I want to read more with this setting now!

The Rush by Beth Lewis is one of those books that completely transports you. Set in the 1890s in Klondike, Canada, during the gold rush, it plunges you headfirst into a world that’s as raw and brutal as it is fascinating. Think unforgiving rapids, bitter weather, jagged mountains, and a town—Dawson—teeming with desperation, danger, and dreams of riches.

At the heart of this harsh world are three women: Kate, Martha, and Ellen. Each one arrives at this frozen frontier under very different circumstances, and each is carrying her own burdens. Kate Kelly has come searching for her sister, terrified she’s fallen back into the clutches of her abusive husband. Martha owns one of the town’s most prosperous hotels—also a brothel—and while she’s tough and business-savvy, she’s being squeezed by a man who owns the rest of Dawson and is determined to buy her out. And then there’s Ellen, stuck on the outskirts of town with a worthless husband, Charlie, whose obsession with finding gold has demolished any hope of a decent life.

When one of Martha’s girls is found dead, the murder pulls all three women into each other’s orbit. What follows is not just a murder mystery but a powerful story about survival, sisterhood, and what it takes to endure—not just the land, but the men. Because let’s be honest, apart from the doctor, the men in this book are mostly awful. There’s a clear and deliberate commentary here on how women in these brutal frontier towns had to fight not just the elements but the violent dominance of men, tooth and nail.

The atmosphere is absolutely incredible. You feel the cold in your bones. You can practically hear the snow crunching under boots and the wind howling down the mountains. Beth Lewis knows how to drop you straight into a setting and make you live there. The terrain, the hardship, the constant threat of violence, even the food —it’s all so vivid. And among all this, there’s Yukon, Kate’s dog, who is honestly one of my favourite characters. Loyal, fierce, and just an all-around good boy. Fair warning - there's animal cruelty in this book so please take care.

The bond that grows between these women is really well drawn. It’s not all heart-to-hearts and dramatic revelations over cups of tea. It’s quieter, more grounded—they connect because they’re surviving the same hellscape. It’s solidarity, not sentimentality, and that felt real.

The mystery element is compelling and the pace moves quickly—it doesn’t drag or get bogged down in exposition. And the historical detail is strong. These characters are inspired by real women the author found in her research, and that grounding gives the whole thing a weight that you can feel. There's an element of magic as well, which I found an interesting, not overly necessary, choice.

Another note —I would’ve liked to see more of the Indigenous presence in the story. The native peoples of the area are noticeably absent, and it felt like a missing piece in a story so deeply tied to place and time. I’m not sure what the historical research revealed, and I understand that the story focused on specific characters and experiences, but I found myself wanting a bit more of that perspective.

That said, this was a really well-executed piece of historical fiction. Atmospheric, fast-paced, character-driven, and with a satisfying mystery at its core. Four solid stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

Three women in 1890’s Yukon must navigate the gold rush surrounded by dangerous men who’ll do anything to get their hands on gold, even kill. A historical murder mystery with a focus on women’s stories, often overlooked in history books. Well-researched and interesting to read, but fairly predictable and the first half was very slow. Not one for me.

Oh Beth, thank you so much for a wonderful book. I adored the characters and felt a connection with all of them. From the first chapter I was transported to 1898 America. I also loved the way the book evoked the struggles and discrimination of women in this time. How they found ways to be independent and live life despite being seen as second class citizens.

The fact that these stories were informed through real life storeis from Klondike and the times made it even more effective. It's a must read!

I adored this book. Gritty, exciting and absorbing. I loved following the stories of the three women, I felt like I was with each of them as their stories unfolded, I could see so clearly the landscapes and locations, in fact I could hear them too! A brilliant read I didn't want to end.

I knew very little about the Canadian/Alaskan gold rush of the final years of the 19th Century. Beth Lewis took me there and gave me an understanding of the madness, and the life of women at the time. The descriptions of the place were really well done, and the author must have done a lot of research.
Our three main characters are all so different. Their bond and developing friendship runs through the book and all were likeable and relatable. The fourth main female character is killed at the start, but she remains part of the story. The way each woman's point of view was captured in each chapter was compelling, engrossing and kept me guessing. The pace of the reveals and the build-up of tensions made me want to know what had happened to Kate's sister, and what would happen to Kate, Martha and Ellen. And to Yukon the dog - who was a fabulous main character in his own right.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Rush and now I want to go and read more of Beth Lewis's books. Recommended!

4.5⭐ rounded up.

First of all, kudos to the designer for an absolutely stunning cover 😍 'The Rush' will make a great gift for historical fiction fans. The book already has a buzz about it - I keep seeing it mentioned on social media and was delighted to be approved for an ARC.

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).

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This is a superb story that tells the story of the Canadian gold rush through the experiences of 3 women-who’s stories are all interwoven in an adventure packed, emotional rollercoaster of a story.

I really enjoyed reading 3 different POV who all offered differing perspectives of a female experience of travelling to and surviving in a lawless, pioneer mining town in the Canadian wilderness. I knew nothing about this part of history and thought it was beautifully done and a wonderful way to bring women’s stories of this time period to life.

Each chapter was quite short and ended on a nail biting cliff edge so I was compelled to keep reading. Superbly paced and compelling storytelling throughout. Gorgeous descriptions of the Canadian landscape, treacherous journeys and mining fields. Felt like I was there. Very pioneer, country and western feel with shoot outs, saloons and Mounties.

Brave women with agency, grit and determination. I loved how the women were all connected as we all are, by our experiences and survival.

Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for letting me read this ARC

Well wasn’t this an addictive adventure!?

The Rush takes place in 1989 in Klondike, during the Gold Rush. Despite this being a predominantly male affair, The Rush follows three amazing females based off real women, Kate, Ellen and Martha.

Kate, Ellen and Martha are all in different stages of their lives, each drawn to Klondike for different reasons.
However, after a woman is killed, their lives became intertwined forever.

Ultimately, I loved the vibes from this book and the subtle feminist message delivered through the bond and growth of three tough females living in a rough age.

All the characters, not just our main ones, were well fleshed out and it was our characters that kept the plot moving at a steady pace.

I really don’t want to say too much about the plot, because I don’t want to give it away. I will just say that the last 150 pages kept me on my toes.

I really enjoyed this book, and I’m super grateful to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Without a doubt one of the best historical fiction books I have read. I loved the store gtg of the characters, but the best aspect of this book were the rich descriptions of the environment. I felt transported to the time and place, it was magnificent. I didn’t want it to end, but at the same time I couldn’t stop reading.

I’ve recently watched a boxed set, Deadwood, set in the lawless town of that name. It brought home to me just how wild parts of North America were right up until the late 1800’s. I was keen to read this which has a similar setting and it’s an absolute cracker. Beth Lewis seems to have captured the real essence of the gold rush; the greed, filth, the raw landscape and more. The setting is well depicted with the bleak isolation and its effect on people and livestock. It’s vibrant and a genuine page turner. Whilst gold panning was predominantly male dominated, I like the way she has placed three strong females as the leads in this story. A journalist, a wife and a hotelier, their oaths cross and then intertwine as a result of murder. It’s a genius idea and the me,d of fact and fiction works well. Clever plotting and genuinely atmospheric, with the narrative changing between the three women, it’s a fast paced and thrilling read. For me,it brought the era to life and I enjoyed it.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

A really interesting read. Lots of great twists and turns regarding the premise of the book but I found that the most interesting part was the descriptions of the area and the life that the people, especially the women led.

*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!