Another fantastic novel by Erika that has two strong and fierce women who are on opposite sides of the law. I never knew about rum running or about the 12 mile law off the coast.

This is a novel about two women protagonists. Elizebeth Friedman is a special agent in the Coast Guard and its best codebreaker. She works hard to be the best agent as well as a good wife and mother. Marie Waite is a smuggler. She works hard and often violently to become the best she can be in her profession, smuggling. She has trouble with relationships but does also try to be a good mother, if not wife, marrying several times. These two women are so similar but so different. Both women work hard at their respective occupations and to achieve their goals. They work against each other, one to stop smuggling, the other to keep working at it. While Elizabeth will manage to catch Marie, she will manage to escape and continue at her work. Elizabeth’s endeavors will cause Marie to remain a criminal. A good novel.

Two strong and adventurous women, one great historical story and the differences of the ways each woman lives her life. One a U.S. Coast Guard and one a rumrunner but how do their paths cross and what happens when they do? This is a book you will want to read. So interesting, intriguing and entertaining. I just couldn't put it down.

It is well researched and written and love the way each of these women are portrayed. This is a book you can really get stuck into and once you do you won't stop reading. It held my interest throughout and I like when a book does that. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

“I would think all rummies are the same to you.”
“Don’t be silly. Brilliant women are always intriguing, especially those who inhabit men’s worlds.”

I really enjoyed this story set during prohibition of two women, one a code breaker working with the coast guard to catch run runners, and the other being a run runner herself.

Aside from a few typos and an overused phrase (she didn’t realize she was holding her breath 😂), this was a fun story. I loved that both of the women in this cat and mouse story were multi dimensional. They were both experts at what they were doing, while also mothers and wives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Twelve Miles tells the story of two women on opposite sides of the 1920's Prohibition movement in Southern Florida. Both were working in a male dominated world trying to make a name for themselves. Elizabeth Smith Friedman was a real life crypto-analyst who worked for multiple government agencies during her career. SHe was able to break many coded war messages during both World Wars and Prohibition. Spanish Marie, on the flip side, worked with her husband to become one of the forefront female rum runners between the Bahamas, Cuba and Florida. Each woman wanted to make her mark in the history books. The 12 miles in the title refer to the water area around Florida able to be legally searched by the US Coast Guard for illegal liquor without cause.

Overall, Erika Robuck writes a wonderfully novel rich in historical facts and imaginative storytelling. Robuck's descriptions of Key West made me want to hop on a plane immediately to experience some of the bright colors and rich social scenes described in the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.

I was actually disappointed that there was not more drama and excitement in this book. It was there, but told in a more flat way, in my opinion. I also did not love the two perspectives in this book, oddly enough I enjoyed the "bad guy" perspective significantly more than the "good guy" - despite being a rule follower in real life. I just felt that it was a more exciting read and a much better created character. This was based off of a true story, based during the Prohibition. Marie wants to become the "bahama queen" as a rumrunner. Elizabeth is a codebreaker for the feds trying to intercept the rumrunners. The story tells the story of Elizabeth's work to catch Marie. I truly loved the historical fiction aspect of this book - especially to very strong and powerful women. I just wanted a little more mystery and intrigue to keep me on my toes.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Two women. Two sides of the law. Which one will win? Or, will either?

Erika Robuck brings readers a work of fiction inspired by real women and real events during a tumultuous and fascinating time in U.S. history. I recently learned about Elizebeth Smith Friedman while reading a historical fiction novel written by another author. When I heard about Robuck's book, which focuses on Friedman's work during Prohibition with the Coast Guard in Florida's coastal waters and the Caribbean, specifically matching wits with the notorious smuggler, Spanish Marie, I was all in.

There's plenty of high seas action and suspense in this novel but I love the amount of time Robuck also spends developing the characters, especially codebreaker Elizebeth and rumrunner Marie. The story is told from each of their perspectives which gives us unfettered insight into their thoughts, fears, and motivations, enabling the reader to really get to know each of them. There are so many layers to these strong, determined women, each a mother, wife, and brilliant strategist making a name for herself in a man's world, albeit in very different ways, while also trying to balance that with being a good mother and supportive partner.

You would think it would be clear who is in the right and who is in the wrong, and in some cases it is, but all is not black and white. I had no trouble being invested in Elizebeth's character as well as those who worked with her in their battle against the rumrunners. But there are also characters with shades of gray within both the Coast Guard and the smuggling community. Marie, in particular, is someone who is difficult to put in one box. There are many layers to this woman that may have readers on the fence about what they want to happen to her. Kudos to an author who can fashion such a complex character who even though she does bad things is still able to garner sympathy and support. I was on pins and needles to the very end, waiting to discover how things would play out with Elizebeth and Marie while still not sure how I wanted them to play out (Be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book to discover what happened to the real Marie).

Sense of time and place is also an important facet of this book and something Robuck does very well. She nails the descriptions of Miami, the Keys, and Cuba, drawing readers into a lush, tropical paradise, sultry and beautiful on the surface while only slightly hiding its corrupt underbelly. Prohibition was a unique time in the country's history and its many layers are captured well in this story.

4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

During the Prohibition era two women on opposite sides of the law match wills.

In the mid 1920’s, the US Coast Guard is working to keep smugglers from bringing alcohol into the country in defiance of the 18th Amendment. One of their most powerful weapons is a woman named Elizebeth Smith Friedman who, along with her equally brilliant husband William, developed cryptanalysis….simply put, she is extraordinarily proficient at breaking codes. When she is tasked with breaking those used by the rumrunners who operate out of Florida, she is able to provide the Coast Guard with the clues needed to catch those attempting to illicitly bring alcohol from the Bahamas and Cuba into the US. For the rumrunners, the most treacherous part of their operation is when their boats are within 12 miles of the US coast, because that is the area in which the Coast Guard has legal authority to board and search vessels which they suspect are engaging in unlawful behavior. There are plenty of individuals and gangs who are engaged in this illegal but highly profitable enterprise, and many otherwise law-abiding citizens are more on the side of the rumrunners than of the authorities. Marie Waite was one of the rumrunners, a beautiful young woman from an impoverished background who alongside her husband Charlie went from being low-level employees of Red Shannon, “The King of Rumrunners”, to establishing their own far-reaching enterprise, looking to make enough money to fund a legitimate enterprise and leave the world of crime behind them. While Marie focuses her energy on manipulating the people around her to become a powerful force, Elizebeth is obsessed with bringing Marie and her crew to justice.
Based on the lives of two real women, The Last Twelve Miles is a fast paced tale of the cat-and-mouse game that played out during this colorful chapter of US history. The reader meets two fascinating characters, first the married (and pregnant) Elizebeth who is balancing her relationship with William, being a good mother to her young daughter Barbara, and using her unique skills to decipher patterns and break codes, all while continually having to prove her value to the male-dominated groups with whom she works. The other is the more flamboyant Marie, also married and a mother, but it is her ambitions and ruthlessness which fuel her rise from a hardscrabble existence to the heights of Floridian society, using her beauty and her theatrical background to hone her desired image. With two such formidable women working to best one another, this is an adventurous tale for readers of Paula McLain, Susan Elia MacNeal and Allison Pataki, and for anyone fascinated by this era in US history. I found it hard not to root for both women, and was not sure who would prevail in the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me early access to this gripping read,

Another captivating book by Erika Robuck! This book has so much adventure and intrigue in it that you're pulled in right away. Elizebeth is a code breaker during prohibition for the Coast Guard and her job is to track rum runners and intercept them. Her nemesis is Spanish Marie, a whip smart rum runner who is constantly avoiding the Coast Guard with great success. Elizebeth becomes obsessed with finding and catching Marie. This book is a big game of cat and mouse between the two headstrong women. I really enjoyed the two main characters as well as a number of the minor characters.
*4.5 stars*

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC of this novel.

"The Last Twelve Miles" by Erika Robuck is a captivating historical fiction that plunges readers into a riveting cat-and-mouse game between two formidable women amidst the tumult of prohibition-era America.

"What is good? What is bad?
She was"

Elizebeth Friedman, alongside her husband, pioneers cryptanalysis during WWII, utilizing her skills to combat illegal alcohol trade. Robuck skillfully portrays the complexities of her character as she navigates the roles of motherhood, wife, and codebreaker, all while supporting a husband plagued by nervous breakdowns.

On the flip side, Maria Waite emerges as a cunning rum runner, orchestrating illicit alcohol runs while managing her familial duties. Robuck paints a vivid picture of Maria's dual existence as a mother and a woman embroiled in dangerous schemes.

The cat-and-mouse game between Elizebeth and Maria is electrifying, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Robuck's meticulous research shines through, bringing these historical figures to life with authenticity and depth.

With a satisfying conclusion and an intriguing Author's note, "The Last Twelve Miles" leaves me yearning for a sequel. Robuck's ability to breathe life into her characters and vividly evoke the era they inhabit is a testament to her storytelling prowess. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a tale of intrigue and suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

I love it when a historical fiction book sends me down the research rabbit hole and I end up learning more about some interesting individuals. The Last Twelve Miles introduces us to not one but two interesting women for two very different reasons. Elizebeth Friedman is a code breaker and works for the government helping the coastguard combat prohibition and the rum running industry in Florida. Marie Waite is a self made and tenacious woman taking the rum running industry by storm dubbed Spanish Marie. Interestingly, both women are mothers struggling with different aspects of their lives while also striving to leave a legacy behind. Elizebeth is determined to catch Marie and Marie is determined to get away; their strategic game of cat and mouse creates an exciting read about two women in two very different male dominated environments.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned so much from it. I was in awe of Elizebeth and intrigued by Marie- both are two very different women and equally impressive in their own regard. A must for historical fiction fans!

Thank you @bookmarked and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

The Last Twelve Miles is the story of two women who play important roles in the Prohibition Rum War in the 1920's. Elizabeth is a wife, mother, and a codebreaker. Codebreaking is a new weapon to crack codes and track down smugglers. On the other side of the war is Marie who is in the rum running business to help her family. These women are at odds but they also have some things in common.

The story alternates between their perspectives. Although this book is about codebreaking and rumrunning it's just as much about their personal lives. I feel not enough attention is given to the codebreaking and some opportunities are missed.

The book takes a while to get into. The subject matter is interesting but I would have enjoyed it more if it was presented differently.

This book was a DNF for me. Altough the story felt like it had potential, I had a hard time getting into it. The characters seem interesting but again it didn’t quite grab me.

In The Last Twelve Miles that goes on sale today, Erika Robuck begins with the true story of two women on opposite sides of the Prohibition Rum Wars in the early twentieth century and weaves a compelling novel around them. The “Bahama Queen,” Cleo Lythogoe, announces her rumrunner retirement with Marie Waite chomping at the bit to take her place and make her own name at the top of the heap. On the opposite side of the prohibition wars, Elizebeth Smith Friedman masterminds a codebreaking operation to help the Coast Guard put a stop to the illegal activity.

Chapters rotate between Marie and Elizebeth. The two women have much in common including their family roles as wives and mothers and their struggle to be taken seriously as women in a man’s world. Differences come in their relationships and interactions with their families. In one chapter, tension comes as Marie builds ways to hide her alcohol business, a fleet of vessels, and signal codes for her partners in crime. In the next chapter, Elizebeth works on breaking the codes in time for law enforcement partners in the Coast Guard to intercept the illegal shipments. The law enforcers are not helped by the fact that public opinion is often on the side of the bootleggers.

Ultimately, the challenge becomes personal between the two women. I found the suspense kept me reading, no more able to leave Marie at the end of her chapter than Elizebeth at the end of hers. There is an author’s note at the end giving explanations for a few liberties she has taken with reality, the completion of the story for both women, and a bibliography for further reading if the topic intrigues you, which it may.

Set in the midst of Prohibition era, THE LAST TWELVE MILES by Erika Robuck is wonderfully well-wrought, high-stakes breathtaking story featuring a criminal mastermind rum runner Marie striving to build her enterprise and save her family facing down intelligent, talented Elizebeth, a code breaker intent on bringing criminals to justice while taking care of her own family. I deeply enjoyed the writing and the story of these two powerful women intent upon succeeding against all odds. Robuck's story is as satisfying and deeply engaging as all her earlier stories -- a genuine pleasure. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

"The Last Twelve Miles" by Erika Robuck is set in a fascinating historical period: the Prohibition era's Rum Wars. The novel ambitiously attempts to weave a tale of intellectual rivalry between two brilliant women—one a codebreaker for the Coast Guard, the other an aspiring rumrunner in the Bahamas. It's a unique angle on this tumultuous time in American history, promising a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse in a world where brains trump brawn.

The concept alone is what initially drew me to this book. The idea of two resourceful, ambitious women navigating and attempting to dominate in male-centric fields—federal intelligence and organized crime—is genuinely compelling. Add to that the glamorous yet dangerous settings of 1920s Washington D.C. and the sultry Florida Straits, and you have all the ingredients for a gripping historical thriller.

However, despite my enthusiasm for the premise, I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the narrative. As someone with ADHD, I often need a book's pacing and character development to capture my attention quickly and hold it. Unfortunately, "The Last Twelve Miles" didn't quite manage this for me.

The story's pacing, especially in the beginning, felt slower than what I typically enjoy. While the author's attention to historical detail is commendable, providing a rich, authentic backdrop of the Prohibition era, it sometimes comes at the cost of narrative momentum. I found myself easily distracted, struggling to stay immersed in the world and invested in the characters' journeys.

This isn't to say the book lacks merit. The author has clearly done extensive research, painting a vivid picture of a time when illegal liquor created a booming smuggling economy, and everyday citizens openly defied the law. There's also an undeniable allure to the clash between a meticulous government codebreaker and a cunning, ambitious rumrunner. The potential for a tale driven by intellect, ambition, and rivalry is certainly there.

Yet, for readers like me who require more immediate character connection and brisker storytelling, "The Last Twelve Miles" might prove challenging. I didn't find myself deeply invested in the main characters early on, which made it harder to stay committed to their story. The narrative's pace didn't align well with my need for quick engagement and sustained interest.
That said, I'm still curious about how their conflict unfolds. The idea of these two masterminds trying to outwit each other in a high-stakes game is still appealing, and I may return to the book when I'm in a mindset better suited to its pacing. For now, though, I've had to set it aside.

While "The Last Twelve Miles" offers an innovative historical premise and richly detailed settings, its measured pace and gradual character development doesn't align well with my reading preferences. Readers who enjoy thoroughly historical fiction and don't mind a more measured narrative build-up may find much to appreciate here. However, those who, like me, need quicker pacing and immediate character engagement might find it a bit of a challenge.

Note: As a reader with ADHD, my experience is quite personal. Other readers, especially those who enjoy slower-burn historical fiction, may have a very different and more positive experience with this book.

The Last Twelve Miles is an interesting historical fiction read that is based on the true story of two women on the opposite sides of the law during Prohibition (1920s) in the USA. Elizebeth is a leading code breaker for the US Coast Guard and Marie is a rum runner and they are both strong, intelligent women who want to be the best at their respective crafts. The novel, told from both of their perspectives, is an intriguing cat and mouse game of one upmanship and a fascinating look at rum running and code breaking.

At one point in the novel, there is a line that says that “brilliant women are always intriguing, especially those who inhabit men’s worlds”. That is the case with both Marie and Elizebeth. They are interesting women who are similar in some ways and who are worthy adversaries. Both are likeable, even Marie, whose pursuit of being the top rum runner at whatever cost is driven by the poverty and neglect of her childhood. The author does a good job of showing both women’s vulnerabilities. I was rooting for both of them throughout the book.

The novel is well-written, the pacing is steady and even, and both female characters are well-developed and their respective chapters equally compelling. It was a nice change to read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII. Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this one.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Sourcebooks for my #gifted ARC and thank you Libro.fm and Tantor Media for my #gifted ALC of The Last Twelve Miles!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐤
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

The Last Twelve Miles was an absolute delight! I went into this one completely blind and absolutely loved it! I have not read many books set during the Prohibition Era, and this one was so interesting to me. The amount of research that went into this book was so evident and I loved learning more at the end with the Author’s Note. Elizabeth and Marie were both such well-developed characters and I enjoyed my time reading about each of them. This book was so well done and I felt like it just went by so quickly because I could not put it down. This is one of those historic fiction reads that I will be recommending to everyone!

🎧I started with the physical book, but eventually switched to the physical book, narrated by Romy Nordlinger. I really enjoyed my time listening to Nordlinger and felt like she did a great job switching between the two main characters. She was dynamic and just a joy to listen to and I would highly recommend this one on audio if you are listening for a great historical fiction to get lost in!

🌴Dual POV
🌴Code Breaker vs. Rumrunner
🌴Strong Female Protagonists
🌴Set During the Prohibition Era
🌴Fast Paced

Posted on Goodreads on June 3, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around June 4, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on June 4, 2024
**-will post on designated date

This story is told in the alternating voices of two formidable women - Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Marie Waite. Elizebeth & her husband William were known as America's first cryptographic couple, and Elizebeth used cryptanalysis to break codes for the Coast Guard during the Prohibition Rum Wars . Her biggest target, and the one that she spent the most time playing a cat and mouse game with, was Marie. Both women were masterminds in their respective fields. Marie started out as just the wife of a rumrunner and mother of two little ones, but ambition and desire for wealth drove her to take over the operation and expand it into an empire.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was fascinating to read about two women who were such unlikely adversaries,, trying to outwit each other. Both of their stories were captivating, and even though Marie was on the wrong side of the law, you had to admire how she took over the business from her husband, and what she accomplished versus what he had accomplished. Elizebeth's skills were amazing, and all of her victories were impressive. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to put this on the top of your TBR pile. You are going to love it!

If you’re looking for a non WWII historical fiction novel with not one but TWO strong female leads, look no further than Erika Robuck’s THE LAST TWELVE MILES. These ladies are smart and strong-willed and on opposite sides of the prohibition movement. Elizabeth Smith Friedman is a cryptanalyst who cracks codes to allow the US Government to catch alcohol smugglers and Marie ‘Spanish Marie’ Waite, who is a legendary rumrunner who desperately wants to get out of poverty, make a name for herself, and have enough money to support her family. The back and forth narrative between the two women let us into each of their lives. And, while their lives are completely different, they have a lot in common.

The characters are well written with distinct voices and each chapter had me going back and forth with who I was rooting for. I loved them both and if they’d been on the same side, they’d have been unstoppable. More is known about Elizebeth than Marie, but the author did a fabulous job telling her story and making it feel completely real. It’s well researched and I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in this era, loves tenacious female protagonists, or just wants to get lost in a damn, good book.