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Masterclass in historical fiction

1898: as gold fever entices wide-eyed men to the Klondike, seeking easy riches, three women have to contend with all that they find there. Following the wake of her dreamer husband, Ellen has been there for three years, each year, each month, each day more desperate than the last. Martha owns her own hotel in Dawson where her girls are treated well and the gold flows in from all sides, but her rival Bill Mathers keeps threatening all that Martha has built. And Kate makes the treacherous journey across the rivers and mountains to get to Dawson City on a secret mission of mercy. When a tragedy draws them together, it will take all that they have, and more, to right the world again.

This is a masterclass in historical fiction, taking real events and inspired by real lives, to make something new and thrilling that feels both contemporaneous and modern. Lewis’s characters are three-dimensional, conflicted, emotional, angry, cruel, alive in all senses but the fleshly. It’s a hard world that Lewis has researched and reinterpreted for the modern reader, and you can almost taste the animal scents of thousands of men scrabbling to hit a fortune. The best historical fiction I’ve read in years.

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The Rush by Beth Lewis is set in 1890s Canada during the Klondike gold rush and follows the lives of three very different women whose paths cross after a murder.

I've watched a few Klondike gold hunting documentaries before, so it was really cool to read a fictional take on how it all began. The setting came to life so vividly in my head — I could absolutely see this being turned into a TV series or film.

The story is told from three perspectives, and I loved how each woman had her own unique voice. Martha’s chapters felt more rough and working class with her slang and speech style, while the younger, wealthier women sounded more refined — a nice detail that made their backgrounds feel authentic. I found myself especially drawn to Ellen’s storyline, though I can't quite put my finger on why — I just really enjoyed her parts.

All three women had strong character arcs, and I appreciated how their stories unfolded. The fortune teller was also a great addition — her presence and predictions added a really interesting layer to the plot.

I also liked how the chapters got shorter toward the end — it made the tension build nicely. I did guess a few of the reveals, but it didn’t ruin the experience.

Definitely recommend this one if you're into historical fiction, especially stories about women and survival based on real events.

Thanks to Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Stunning read that not just gets into the story of a time in history but gets inside the characters heads and into those of the reader. Talk about emotional!! An epic and fully immersive read.

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The harsh reality of the gold rush in the Yukon is brilliantly highlighted in this historical murder mystery. Kate is seemingly unfazed by the dangers of her quest to find her sister who is in trouble. It was easy to feel empathy towards the believable characters she meets along the way making this a really enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Loved this book so much im buying a special edition hardback! Enjoyed it greatly!
Thank you as always netgalley for the early access to this book!

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A perfect evocation of another world and another time. Masterful manipulation of narrative voice means this rattles along creating intrigue and excitement in equal measure while making you really love the three protagonists - all admirable inspirational and fascinating women. The historical basis for each character only made me love the characters more.

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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.

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A historical murder mystery but, at its heart, actually so much more, giving a voice to the women who are far too often forgotten in the fascinating Gold Rush storytelling. The lives of Kate, Martha and Ellen are cleverly intertwined and I sped through this book, desperate to find out what was going to happen to these three strong women. The brilliance of the writing immersed me into the brutal and cruel world of the Gold Rush era.

The historical notes at the end of the book added a whole new dimension to the story. I rarely re-read books (too many books, too little time) but I honestly think I would read The Rush again; maybe giving the audiobook a go.

I enjoyed this book so much that as soon as I finished it, I immediately went to investigate what else Beth Lewis had written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viper, Serpent’s Tail and Profile for a free review ebook in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

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The Rush feels like you've been plunged straight into America in the Gold Rush, in the best possible way. It's immersive and visceral, engaging and interesting. The characters and settings and brilliantly rendered. Highly recommended.

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In late-nineteenth-century Canada, three women fight for survival during the Gold Rush.

Journalist Kate makes the lethal journey north after finding out her sister is in danger; Martha struggles to keep her business livelihood safe from the local mafioso; and Ellen endures a life of debt and drudgery with a husband she no longer trusts.

When a woman is murdered, the three women’s futures become entertwined.

A thrilling and evocative novel of three strong women in the midst of the perilous and fickle Gold Rush.

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Set during the brutal Yukon gold rush of 1898, The Rush follows the fallout of a shocking murder in the lawless town of Dawson City. As tensions rise and danger closes in, three women find their lives unexpectedly entangled in a fight for justice and survival.

At the heart of this book are three fierce female characters:

🔸 Kate – a journalist travelling to the remote gold mining town in search of her sister, after receiving a terrifying letter saying she is afraid her husband is going to kill her.

🔸 Martha – the formidable owner of a local hotel, fighting to keep her business alive and her staff safe as the local strongman tightens his grip on the town.

🔸 Ellen – the quiet, observant wife of a failed prospector, whose inner strength begins to rise as the world around her becomes increasingly dangerous.

I found it fascinating to learn more about the role women played in this lawless, unforgiving landscape - voices that history often forgets.

Each storyline adds layers of suspense and emotional punch, weaving together in ways that feel both inevitable and brutal. I was fully championing them all, long before their stories entwined, eager for the various villains to get their comeuppance.

The book doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the time. Some scenes are not for the faint-hearted, but they’re powerfully written and give a true sense of how grim it was during that era.

It took me a little while to settle into this one as the multiple storylines gradually unfolded - thus the four stars rather than five - but once it got going, it really took off. What followed was action-packed, tense, and completely gripping. This is a true page-turner.

If you love historical fiction with grit, guts, and fierce female characters, this one’s for you.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Viper Books for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Viper) and the author (Beth Lewis), for the free review copy in exchange for my honest, unedited feedback.

This story is set in Canada, 1898, amidst The Gold Rush. It follows the lives of three women: Kate who is a journalist, Martha who is a hotel owner and Ellen whose livelihood depends on her husband striking gold.

When a woman is found murdered, the three women find their lives become intertwined and friendships are made in a male dominated world.

This was my first book by Beth Lewis and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

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I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest, unedited feedback.

This was a good, well-paced read, following three very different yet strong female characters as they navigate life in the male-dominated Canadian gold rush. The women come together through the death of another woman, and they work both together and independently to find the killer, fighting misogyny, the elements, and sickness along the way.
A well-researched novel that certainly educated me in what was a formative and difficult time in American and Canadian history

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Great book - takes you on a journey to the Klondike back in the gold rush days. The three ma8n characters are all w9men - and strong women at that. There is love, laughter and murder. Excellent writing and great characterisation. Recommended.

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I must admit I rarely pick up historical fiction. Like, at all. Although I did grow up loving Call of the Wild and White Fang! I’d heard such amazing early chatter about The Rush that I had to request an ARC from Viper. And I’m so glad I did.

Set in 1898, The Rush follows the stories of three women whose lives collide during the Klondike Gold Rush. There’s Kate, a journalist making the long and dangerous journey from Kansas to Dawson City, in Canada, accompanied by her dog, Yukon. She’s received a letter from her sister, who fears for her life but getting there will take months and nothing about the journey is easy.

Then over in Yukon in Dawson City, there’s Martha, who is running a brothel/hotel. Whilst in nearby Boulder Creek we meet Ellen, living on a gold claim while her husband desperately mines for their fortune.

Lewis’s writing strikes the perfect balance: rich and evocative without ever feeling dense or overdone. I felt completely immersed and there’s a tension that simmers beneath every page, as the women find their fates and fortunes intertwined by a murder.

I loved the strength of the women in this, especially for the time it was set. As a fortune teller tells Kate: “I tell the men what they want to hear. But I tell women what they need to know.”

The Rush is compelling, intriguing and gripping. Even if, like me, historical fiction isn’t your usual pick, this one is well worth the journey.

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4.5 stars

‘We are each other’s bellwethers and watchmen; we all toil under the same invisible yoke, that of a world made by us, but not for us.’

Set during the unforgiving Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, this book is a historical murder mystery that follows the intertwined stories of three women—Kate, Martha, and Ellen. Told through alternating perspectives, their characters bring to life the forgotten females of a male-dominated part of history.

The scene-setting is exceptional—harsh landscapes, chaotic gold-crazed towns, and frozen wilderness. However, it was the characters in this story that I really loved. The development of Kate, Martha, and Ellen is beautifully done, each woman nuanced and deeply human. As their paths cross in the search for a killer, a genuine friendship forms—a real bond that I enjoyed reading about so much.

I also appreciated the freshness of the setting. Historical crime fiction often leans heavily into Georgian and Victorian London (which I absolutely love), but this Yukon-set mystery was a bit different, original and atmospheric whilst still having all of the excitement and grit of what I’m used to reading. The author’s note at the end is well worth reading- her inspiration for the characters adds another layer of meaning to the story.

The pacing does dip slightly in parts, but overall this is a fantastic, engaging, and emotive read that I’d highly recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley Viper Books and the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Loved this book. I have to admit I'm not a fan of 'westerns' or the Gold Rush period in American history but this book transcends that and delivers a timeless story of female bravery and spirit of adventure. Gripping, gorgeously written and full of suspense. it deserves to be a huge hit.

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Wonderfully atmospheric, The Rush is a novel I dare you to try and put down. Beautiful language set amongst the cold backdrop of 1898 Canada. Simply beautiful

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The story is set during the Gold Rush era, a time I knew little about, but found myself completely drawn into the storytelling. The standouts were the three FMC's. Each one is distinct and I was hooked by the way their stories unfolded and intertwined.
It was refreshing to experience this period of history from a female perspective in what is a very male dominated place.
Part murder mystery, part survival story, completely engrossing. I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, strong female leads and a dark, twisty plot.

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5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/06/09/review-the-rush-by-beth-lewis/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Absolutely brilliant. A Top Read

The Rush is quite literally one of my favourite books so far this year. I’ve read and enjoyed this author before but I confess for a moment this didn’t seem like my go to sort of book, although I do like to mix in historical fiction. I’m so glad I didn’t miss the opportunity to read this though. Its gripping, the writing is literally beautiful, it’s set in a period that is traditionally all about the men and yet this story brings to us three women struggling for various different reasons and whose lives will eventually become intrinsically locked. I loved this book. I loved it. I think without doubt it will be one of my top reads of the year.

I love reading stories like this, they bring to life this gritty reality and in this particular instance the characters are also (loosely maybe) based on real people. The Klondike Gold Rush is a part of history that I’ve not read too much about. I think I’ve seen it made all glamorous in the big screen but Lewis brings to us a story that is raw, scary and more often than not brutal. She writes with such beauty but at the same time gives the story this stark reality and gives us three characters that you absolutely can, and will, root for.

So, I don’t think I’ve ever read a story that paints in such dramatic colours why this was called ‘the gold rush’. I mean, I’ve heard it described like that but I just never really understood the true meaning – like everyone is literally ‘rushing’ to get in on this strange phenomenon, desperate not to miss out and in the process taking massive risks (albeit while pushing their fellow neighbour into the mud or under an oncoming avalanche). The result is a cut throat, male infested world where dog eats dog and man kills man. And more and more people are racing to become a part of this cut throat world in the search for gold. I mean, it’s crazy.

In this male dominated society however there are females. Of course there are. Wives following husbands on the promise of something better, sisters following loved ones under threat and business women who saw the potential early and got lucky.

Ellen, Kate and Martha. Ellen followed her husband with the promise of a better life, she is swiftly coming to the realisation that her husband doesn’t really have a clue. Kate is a journalist, brought up free spirited by her parents she is following in her sisters footsteps, a sister under threat with the clock ticking. Martha, known as ‘Ma’, owns her own bar. She was one of the first settlers and has other property but also secrets.

These three women are all going to find their paths crossing in, I will say, a really satisfactory way. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t sorrow in these pages, because there really is, but at the same time I think it would be unrealistic to write this story without some elements of tragedy.

I’m not going to tell you about the story other than to say there is a murder.

The three central characters all make for fantastic reading. Not to mention there’s this sort of element of the ‘fantastical’ introduced by a ‘seeing’ woman who seems to play a part in bringing the three together.

The setting is well described and absolutely shocking in its brutality, and I’m not just talking about the savagery of humans right now but also the indominatabilness of nature that sometimes is absolutely unrelenting. The things that some of these people put up with for the promise of gold was quite simply jaw dropping – and so many of them failed.

And then of course you have the greed. The few people with power who are always going to exert pressure and take from others.

Now, I think, to be honest, that I’m doing this book a massive disfavour and possibly making it seem a little dull. But, please take my word for it – this book is anything but dull – my review, maybe so – this book – not at all.

All I can do is implore you to read this. It’s so, so, good. I hope this is adapted to the main screen and I seriously hope that whoever is responsible does the book justice.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

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