It’s 1926 and Prohibition is in full force and the Rum Wars are raging. Washington DC can’t keep track of all the bootlegging that is going on. Two women, who are smart as can be, on two different sides of the coin..One is part of a power couple, who can help the Coast Guard break codes the bootleggers are using to run rum illegally. The other is a wife to a bootlegger and she is suspicious of her husband and the discrepancies of his business. A business that should be significantly more profitable. Mrs Elizebeth Friedman is a 5’2 powerhouse, that is a wife, mother and a phenomenal code breaker. The Coast Guard can finally, get ahead of some of these bootleggers. While Elizebeth is helping her country, Marie Waite, just wants to see profits of her husband’s business. She wants to see where the money is and where the rum isn’t. She needs to be the eyes and ears of the business and what she finds out is incredible. When they move from Miami to Nassau, she finds herself in deep with all kinds of infamous rum runners. Especially Cleo Lythgoe is at the top of the list, as someone who knows how to create a rum running dynasty. Marie wants to know everything g she knows, so that she can surpass her.
There isn’t anything either woman wouldn’t do to win the game of cat and mouse. They are tough, intelligent women and each is winning their version of the game. As the two get better and better, they come closer and closer to identifying the other. Who will actually get here first. This was a 4 star read for me. I really enjoyed the story and the writing. I couldn’t put the book down because I had to see who won. I love historical fiction and this book was a perfect fit for me. This time in history isn’t always written about and it was a nice change of pace. I want to thank Netgalley, Erika Robuck & Sourcebooks Landmark for my copy of The Last Twelve Miles for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this story.

Two real, brilliant women on opposite sides of the law, in a deadly game of cat and mouse…

1926. Washington, D.C.

The Coast Guard is losing the Prohibition Rum War, but they have a new, secret weapon to crack smuggler codes, intercept traffic, and destroy the rum trade one skiff at a time. That secret weapon is a 5'2" mastermind in heels, who also happens to be a wife and mother: Mrs. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, one half of the husband-and-wife pair who invented cryptanalysis.

Bahamas

Cleo Lythogoe, The Bahama Queen, announces her retirement while regaling the thugs at the bar with tales of murder and mayhem on the high seas. Marie Waite, listening in, knows an opportunity when she hears it, and she wants the crown for herself so badly she can taste it. So begins Marie's plan to rise as rumrunner royalty long enough to get her family in the black. But the more sophisticated her operation grows, the more she appears on the radar of the feds.

Meanwhile, Elizebeth is the only codebreaker battling scores of smugglers. Despite the strain of solving thousands of intercepted messages, traveling the country, and testifying in court, Elizabeth’s work becomes personal—especially when she discovers the identity of her premier adversary is the notorious Marie Waite.

From the glamorous world of D.C. Intelligence to the sultry shores of the Straits of Florida, The Last Twelve Miles is based on the true story of two women masterminds trying to outwit each other in a dangerous and fascinating high stakes game.

I honestly loved this. Robuck painted a vivid picture with her words. Cannot wait to read more from the author.

absolutely phenomenal work with a lot of awesome ideas in it! i loved the plotting and the characters. would recommend. tysm for the arc

A historical fiction novel that tells the story of Prohibition Era Rum Wars. I enjoyed the story but did not love the main characters.

I have loved Erika’s books in the past but this one fell flat for me. I know women are her go to but it felt like she was really stretching for the femme-fatal ideaology.

A different, but very good, type of history book. If you like pirates, but with a modern twist, you'll adore this story!

I loved this book, and it definitely has my wheels spinning like most historical fiction I read. I knew about Prohibition, and illegal smugglers, but I had no idea about the last 12 miles and the coast guard involvement as it was. I had heard of the Friedmans, mostly William, but I had no idea the way that him and his wife were so instrumental with codebreaking, teaching it and doing it, and especially didn't realize the involvement with the wars, etc. I had no idea that smugglers went through such great lengths to be successful in that time either. It's all pretty fascinating, in my opinion.
This book follows the Friedmans, mostly Elizebeth, and their work through the coast guard and the government in general, to apprehend and put a stop to, the smuggling that was going on during Prohibition. One of the most well-known smugglers is "Spanish Marie," and she becomes a thorn in Elizebeth's side. They are both wives and mothers with great ambition and drive, but they are on two very different sides of the law. Who's more successful, who can judge that?!
This book was paced well and the character development I enjoyed. A great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Really enjoyed this one. I appreciate a fast paced historical fiction. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars. What a fascinating story based on two extraordinary women- one famous, one infamous. The Last Twelve Miles is set in the Prohibition Era in Miami and Key West. Spanish Marie Waite is a small time rumrunner, looking for a way out of poverty and failed relationships. Elizabeth Friedman is a celebrated cryptologist for the US government. Sad to say, I had never heard of her (or Marie) until this book. I am so glad I learned about her through reading this book. Both two fascinating women for different reasons- as soon as I finished the book, I went to the internet to look up what the real ladies looked like!

The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck. I found the book very interesting. Elizebeth Smith Friedman a code breaker trying to help the Coast Guard and government capture rum runners during Prohibition. Marie trying to become rich by running the rum.

They may have appeared as housewives by appearance, but by trade one was a cryptanalyst and the other a rumrunner. This novel about two real life women in the 1920s was highly entertaining. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, along with her husband, invented cryptanalysis and after WWI, she worked in the Coast Guard putting her skills to use against smugglers of alcohol, drugs and human trafficking. On the other side of law was Marie Waite aka Spanish Marie, who was the brains behind the rum running business she had with her husband Charlie.

The similarities between these two women, who were young wives and mothers was interesting. Both were trying to pave a path in a male dominated business. While Elizebeth had the full support of her husband and respectability in both her community and profession, Marie desperately tried to create the illusion that she was a pillar of society, a good wife, and mother, but all the while she was building a house of cards. Once Elizebeth realizes her biggest smuggling business to break is run by a woman, she becomes more determined to win in this game of cat and mouse between them. As the game goes on, Marie grows more coldblooded and ruthless, and she refuses to let anyone slow her success including her own husband. Marie was very astute in her methods of using the technology of the day to grow her empire. But Marie underestimates how sharp Elizebeth's brain is. This was such a fun summer read as the novel takes place in warm climates like Miami, Cuba and the Bahamas.

I'm just not able to connect with the characters or writing style in general. The story has more of a soap opera feel than the grittier element I was expecting.

DNF

The Last Twelve Miles is based on a true story of two women.

Marie Waite has dreams of being the queen of the rumrunner world in the 1920s. Mrs. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a mother and a wife, along with her husband are duo who invented cryptanalysis.

As Marie's rumrunning dreams rise, her operations attract the attention of the federal government. Elizebeth is the only codebreaker working to take down the rumrunners in the Caribbean.

This is a game of cat and mouse. Which woman will come out on top?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was looking forward to reading this book but unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. or get into the book. Disappointed but I guess this book just wasn't for me.

The roaring 20's- an era I love learning more about! I enjoyed this story- especially because it highlights the women involved in the prohibition and rum running, not just the men!

Always a fan of Erika Robuck books! I've read several Prohibition era books but none that have had two female main characters! It was so interesting to learn more about these women and the real life events that inspired the story but also to see their lives full of motherhood, marriage, and career was so entertaining!

Elizebeth is a code breaker in 1926, currently working to catch rumrunners in Florida. Marie Waite, a.k.a. Spanish Marie, is a mom and wife, who once she is drawn in to the world of rum running, can't stop until she achieves financial security. Elizebeth becomes determined to take Marie down, while Marie is obviously equally determined to avoid capture.

Based on real life people, this historical novel shows unexpected parallels between the two women. Both are affected by their husbands' problems--Marie's husband is a serial gambler, drinker, and cheater, while Elizebeth's struggles with mental health issues. Both juggle motherhood and careers, even if Marie's is outside the law. Although Marie is a criminal--and not really a good person overall--she still manages to be sympathetic, with her devotion to the church and her ambition. The setting is the true star of this novel, though--Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba during Prohibition. I wanted to enter that world temporarily (but hopefully emerge with all limbs intact). #TheLastTwelveMiles #NetGalley

Quick and Dirty
-dual POV historical fiction
-Prohibition Era
-glitzy and glamorous
-morally grey characters

From the publisher👇🏻
From the glamorous world of D.C. Intelligence to the sultry shores of the Straits of Florida, The Last Twelve Miles is based on the true story of two women masterminds trying to outwit each other in a dangerous and fascinating high-stakes game.

What Worked
Rum running? Modern-day pirates? Code-breaking? I’m in!! From the first pages to the very last, I loved this adventure. It’s exactly what I want from upmarket historical fiction: strong female characters based on truth, dramatic and intense, and ambiguous characters. This one is for lovers of the morally grey characters (hello, it me 🙋🏻‍♀️). Marie, our villain, is a woman after my own heart. She’s strong-willed, intelligent, and willing to take any risk to get ahead. Elizabeth, our hero, is whip-smart, grounded, and a pioneer willing to forge a path never before taken. These two characters could not have been more different, but Robuck masterfully draws parallels that blur the lines just enough to make them both relatable and compelling. I admit, I LOVED all the twists and turns in Marie’s journey the most! She was such a fun and fascinating character that I couldn’t look away or put this down.

What Didn’t Work
Yeah, nothing. I think this will go down as the book of the summer for me. Was it perfect? No. There are a lot of characters (not great for audio) and lots of emphasis on morality/good vs evil, which may turn off some readers. Not everyone loves a villain like I do, so keep that in mind. Lucky for me, it’s exactly what I want in a summer histfic. Perfect for book clubs or reading by the beach/pool, I think this one will please most historical fiction lovers!

I love that Erika Robuck makes me want to learn more about history. This book once again introduced me to real people who did extraordinary things in our history. I enjoyed the alternating chapters of the two main characters. Exceptionally well written and researched. I’m recommending this book to everyone who likes history likes a little bit of Rumrunner talk. Highly recommend.

While I immensely enjoy historical fiction that takes place in the WW2 era, I always love to read books outside of that era. This one did not disappoint! I love books with strong female leads. I highly suggest Erika Robuck books as well!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I am not a reviewer who will retell the plot, just my feelings towards the book as the reader can look up the plot themselves.