The Rush

The Rush grabbed my attention (thanks to a fellow bookstagrammer's post) because of its Canadian location and its focus on women's experiences during the Yukon gold rush. Centred around the lives of three strong women in difficult historical times, I was expecting something along the lines of Melissa Lenhardt's Sawbones and it was ... kind of.

A mix of history, mystery and coming-into-herself, this book explores the experiences of women on the edge of civilization, during a time when societal expectations upon women were strong. It had all the fixin's for a good read but the storytelling fell flat for me. 

It took a while for the trio of women to finally connect and while the descriptions of the area were wonderful, a lot of time was spent bouncing between the three women without propelling the story enough. Martha, Kate and Ellen brought unique POVs, but Kate's dog Yukon ended up being my favourite character. [** I caution dog loving readers that there is a violent scene involving canines which I skimmed.]

This is a good pick for history lovers. It's well-researched with vivid descriptions of the Yukon and what life was like for those who were brave and desperate enough to attempt to find their fortune in the wilds and brutality of the Yukon. I appreciate how the author shines a light on women's experiences in Canadian history, but the telling of the story with so much (too much?) going on, paired with awkward dialogue and a very slow pace in the second half detracted from my enjoyment. I'm in the minority so if you love historical fiction, give this book a try.

Note: read the afterward for more historical details

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Beth Lewis

Genre: Historical Fiction, Canadian location

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Pegasus Books

First Published: June 10, 2025

Read: Dec 17-20, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: 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...