Canada, 1898, and the gold rush is in full flow. People struggling across the frozen wilderness, risking life and limb just to get the chance to seek their fortune. But even those who make the treacherous journey aren’t guaranteed the life they seek. And even if you find gold, it doesn’t mean that others will let you keep it…

Dawson City lies at the epicentre of the rush, and three women are doing all they can to survive life on the frontier. Kate, a journalist, has travelled hundreds of miles looking for her sister – her last letter said that the husband that she had fled from has tracked her down and is going to kill her. Martha, a hotel owner being the only person standing against a local gangster and his plan to own the whole town. And Ellen, trapped with an untrustworthy husband, seeing her hopes washed away by his failure and lies. But the murder of a fourth woman brings the three women’s lives become intertwined – and the justice they seek may well cost them dearly…

I’ve been saving this one for a while. I bought the book soon after I heard Beth Lewis talk about it at Stockport Noir this year and I was intrigued. The premise, the setting, the approach (looking at the events via three different viewpoints) all caught my attention, and I’ve been waiting for a chance to read the book when I could give it my full attention.

I needn’t have bothered as it’s one of those books that demands your attention and you’re more than happy to give in to those demands. The author crafts three distinctive lead characters (and a plethora of supporting characters) with style and passion – it should be noted I never had to remind myself who a character was – with each important character getting enough page time to breathe but never too much to outstay a welcome.

The story is really well-placed, with the three women’s stories starting apart, slowly showing commonalities and then weaving in and out of each other until the very satisfying climax is reached. Oh, and there’s a fantastic dog (who survives!)

I should say, I suppose, that the mystery, while possibly the most important thread in the narrative, isn’t exactly a head-scratcher – but it’s not that sort of mystery. The story has a satisfying resolution, but if you’re looking for another Labyrinth House Murders, perhaps this isn’t the book for you.

If, however, you want a book with strong compelling characters, a beautifully constructed wild setting and a full and satisfying pardon, then you really ought to rush out (sorry) and give this one a go.