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.

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

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.

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.

I loved this book. Told through the eyes of several women caught up in the Gold Rush, the hardships and tough life shape the story. The book has a terrific sense of place and keeps you guessing as to what will happen to these ladies. A great read.

The Rush is set in the Yukon in 1898 during the Gold Rush. It covers the stories of three women – Ellen, the lonely wife of a man consumed by gold fever; Kate, a new arrival searching for her sister, who has sent a worrying letter; and Ma, who runs a bar and house of girls for the miners. The murder of one of the girls from Ma’s establishment brings the three together to help find out the identity of the killer.

Stories from the Gold Rush are almost always told from the viewpoint of the men who made the journey so it’s fascinating to see it all from the side of the women who experienced it. All the main characters are based on real people and the author has done an amazing amount of research to make the whole novel feel utterly real. The dirt, the noise, the violence and lawlessness, the danger involved in both getting to and living in Dawson City or out by the mining camps, the disappointments and victories, and the choices available to women are all beautifully portrayed and I was totally transported to the time and place. The characters are all interesting and believable in their unique ways and I was gripped from the first page to the last. I haven’t read any of the author’s work before but I certainly will in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

The Rush by Beth Lewis is an amazing story about the lives of three women in times when their rights were not recognised. From the story, the characters to the description of the nature, the wilderness in Yukon, everything is amazing and the book is definitely there in Top 5 of Best Books 2025.

This was an atmospheric historical thriller featuring three brilliant female leads—each haunted, each hiding something, and each battling more than just the wilderness. The setting was drawn well, offering rich insight into life during the gold rush, especially from the perspective of women.

Hi and welcome to my review of The Rush!

Full disclosure: shame on me, I’d only vaguely heard of the Klondike Gold Rush, and I never realised the Klondike is in the Yukon. Gold digging in Canada? I honestly never knew it was a thing. When I hear “gold rush”, I think of California. So, many thanks to Beth Lewis for setting me straight and teaching me a thing or two, in the most entertaining way possible!

I’m a huge fan of Beth Lewis, I would follow her to the ends of the earth, and this time, it kinda felt like I actually had, following Kate on her trying journey to Dawson, and reading about Martha, owner of the Dawson Hotel (read: brothel), and Ellen, wife of a gold miner, already there in a sort of Canadian wild wild west. I’d never associated Canada with hot and dusty, but there you have it.

I can honestly only talk about this book in superlatives. The Rush is top-notch historical fiction. The setting is incredible and the writing is so vivid I felt like I was actually there. I have to say I particularly loved the ending, because for a minute there, I was afraid the author would force a little something there, but then she didn’t, she stayed true to her characters and everything flowed to a natural conclusion.

I was absolutely knackered when reading it, which usually results in me reading slower and having difficulty focussing, but there was none of that. I was hooked from the start and invested throughout, I enjoyed every minute of it. (Well, every minute except the few instances of animal cruelty, but I do get why they were included, and if I could deal with it, I’m sure anyone can.)

All the thrills and all the feels, The Rush is an engrossing, suspenseful, thrilling, well-researched slice of historical fiction that highlights the part of women in a male-dominated setting, and one that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

The Rush is out in hardcover, digital formats and audio on 10 June.

Massive thanks to Viper and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

I have a new contender for my top book of the year! I loved this book from the very first page. Not only was it fascinating to learn about the Gold Rush in Klondike, Canada in1898 but this book had such an atmospheric setting, a great mystery and three brilliant female protagonists.
The story is narrated by three women facing different struggles. Kate is a journalist who has travelled thousands of miles to find her sister after receiving a letter fearing for her life. Ellen is trapped in a loveless marriage losing all her money as her incompetent husband fails to find gold.
Martha is desperate to protect the girls in her hotel/brothel against the local strongman who is intent to take it from her.
I loved how these three stories gradually merged together as the women are intrinsically linked by the murder of a young girl.
The brutal male dominated lawless society in Dawson City was vividly portrayed. It is full of dangerous men, trying to seek their fortune in gold.
I was desperate for the women to secure happiness in their equally precarious positions in this hostile place.
The perilous journey Kate under went on the White Pass Trail to get to the Yukon was both unbelievable and captivating to read about.
I loved that Beth Lewis actually based the characters loosely around real life people too. It made it all the more fascinating.
If you enjoy evocative historical fiction with great characters and a mystery too, I highly recommend this book. I have also read and enjoyed Children of the Sun by this author and have just ordered The Wolf Road to read too.

Beth Lewis's 'The Rush' plunges readers into the brutal, intoxicating world of the 1898 Yukon Gold Rush. The historical crime novel weaves together the stories of three women from different backgrounds in Dawson City, a lawless settlement on the edge of civilization. Journalist Kate arrives in search of her missing sister, fearing for her life; Martha fights to protect her hotel from falling into the hands of a local gangster; and Ellen watches her dreams of fortune vanish.

When a woman is murdered, their lives become inextricably linked as they battle through a dire male-dominated landscape beset by gold fever. The writer excels at creating an atmospheric, immersive setting, where the violence of the Alaskan frontier is nearly palpable. Above all, she gives voice to the long-forgotten women of the Klondike, whose tenacity and conflict are revealed through the gripping narrative. 'The Rush' is a compelling mystery, rich in character and suspense, and a fresh spin on a wild era of history.

I had high hopes for this novel and it did not disappoint. Set in 1898 in the Klondike gold rush, it follows the lives of 3 amazingly strong women whose lives intertwine because of the men they know. The journey that Kate goes on to reach Dawson is epic- hair raising, fraught with danger and fatal for many, but she overcomes it all. The area and the characters are so vividly portrayed, I feel as if i was there myself. Yukon was the secret star of the story x 5 stars

Having just put down this novel all I can say is WOW. My first novel by this author but it most certainly won’t be my last. Set in the Yukon during the gold rush years this novel is narrated by three strong women as they face the hardships and struggles of life in a gold mining town in the 1890’s. The descriptions of the lives they led made me feel the dirt on my skin and the grit under my fingernails. Although they don’t know each other a murder and their search for justice with bring them together in tough times. The story and setting was a breath of fresh air and I just couldn’t put this book down. Based loosely on real characters from this time this book is a triumph and I highly recommend it. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

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.

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.