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The Last Twelve Miles: A Novel
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.
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.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
526 people are currently reading
18004 people want to read
About the author
Erika Robuck
12 books1,367 followersErika Robuck is the national bestselling author of historical fiction including THE LAST TWELVE MILES and THE INVISIBLE WOMAN. In 2024 she was named a Maryland Writer’s Association Notable Writer and won the Anne Arundel County Arts Council Literary Award. A photography enthusiast, she resides in Annapolis with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
July 29, 2025
The Bahama Queen Cleo Lythogoe retires, Marie Waite wants to follow in her footsteps and she vows nothing is going to get in her way. Elizebeth Smith Friedman is a special agent for the Treasury Department and she works for the Coast Guards Communications Section.
Alcohol is in high demand in prohibition America and it’s illegal to make, sell and smuggle it into the country. The stage is set, two women, both married, mothers, and who will outsmart the other?
Elizebeth and her husband William invented cryptanalysis during The Great War, they live in Washington, D.C., and she’s the only code-breaker, her job is to intercept thousands of messages, and crack the codes.
Marie grew up poor, she wants to make a lot of money and have the lifestyle she deserves. Marie’s married to Charlie and he’s a drunk, he won’t listen to her ideas and she’s getting frustrated with him. Marie starts buying boats and she begins creating her empire, smuggling booze, from the Bahama’s and Cuba to Florida, and once she enters American waters the last twelve miles are the most dangerous and where the coast guards are patrolling.
Marie comes up with all sorts of plans, signals, decoys and codes to outsmart the authorities and she has no idea another women is trying to find out who’s the new rum runner, their identity, stop them and she will testify in court.
I received a copy of The Last Twelve Miles from the publisher and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review. Erika Robuck uses real facts and her imagination to write her latest riveting historical fiction novel.
Set in 1926, Elizebeth’s a wife and mother, she worked whilst pregnant and afterwards, not many women at the time would have had such a stressful, demanding and high paid job and it was a real juggle and with a supportive husband, she suffered from mum guilt. I liked how the narrative included the couple's love of reading, books and poetry and curiosities collection and William's struggles with shell shock and nightmares from serving in The Great War.
Spanish Marie is one determined lady and you didn’t want to mess with her, and she’s drawn into the dangerous and sinister world of rum running, and I had no idea Miami, Florida was already full of bad guys and women and it was a seedy and sinister place, full of inlets and back stabbers. Five stars from me and I highly recommend, a perfect choice for book clubs and women’s history month.
Alcohol is in high demand in prohibition America and it’s illegal to make, sell and smuggle it into the country. The stage is set, two women, both married, mothers, and who will outsmart the other?
Elizebeth and her husband William invented cryptanalysis during The Great War, they live in Washington, D.C., and she’s the only code-breaker, her job is to intercept thousands of messages, and crack the codes.
Marie grew up poor, she wants to make a lot of money and have the lifestyle she deserves. Marie’s married to Charlie and he’s a drunk, he won’t listen to her ideas and she’s getting frustrated with him. Marie starts buying boats and she begins creating her empire, smuggling booze, from the Bahama’s and Cuba to Florida, and once she enters American waters the last twelve miles are the most dangerous and where the coast guards are patrolling.
Marie comes up with all sorts of plans, signals, decoys and codes to outsmart the authorities and she has no idea another women is trying to find out who’s the new rum runner, their identity, stop them and she will testify in court.
I received a copy of The Last Twelve Miles from the publisher and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review. Erika Robuck uses real facts and her imagination to write her latest riveting historical fiction novel.
Set in 1926, Elizebeth’s a wife and mother, she worked whilst pregnant and afterwards, not many women at the time would have had such a stressful, demanding and high paid job and it was a real juggle and with a supportive husband, she suffered from mum guilt. I liked how the narrative included the couple's love of reading, books and poetry and curiosities collection and William's struggles with shell shock and nightmares from serving in The Great War.
Spanish Marie is one determined lady and you didn’t want to mess with her, and she’s drawn into the dangerous and sinister world of rum running, and I had no idea Miami, Florida was already full of bad guys and women and it was a seedy and sinister place, full of inlets and back stabbers. Five stars from me and I highly recommend, a perfect choice for book clubs and women’s history month.
February 24, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE LAST TWELVE MILES by Erika Robuck is a thrilling historical fiction story of two women, each brilliant, going head-to-head on opposite sides of the law during the Prohibition Era southern rum wars. While I have read about Elizebeth Friedman and her contributions to cryptanalysis, Spanish Marie was new to me, and this author brought both women to vivid life for me as I was reading.
Mrs. Elizebeth Smith Friedman and her husband invented cryptanalysis during WWI. Elizebeth has gone on to work for the Coast Guard during Prohibition to crack smugglers’ codes so the Coast Guard can intercept smugglers and destroy their illegal alcohol. Her primary focus is on the Cuban, Bahamian, and Florida routes. She is the Coast Guards secret weapon to capturing many law breakers.
Marie Waite is the wife of a rum runner and when she learns the queen of the runners is retiring, she seizes the opportunity and becomes Spanish Marie. She takes advantage of every new technology to evade capture and continue her rise to the top of her chosen illegal trade.
Spanish Marie becomes Elizebeth’s obsession in a cat and mouse game.
I loved this story so much! Ms. Robuck brings both women to life on the page, even though the author acknowledges that information on Spanish Marie is more lore than fact. This is a historical fiction book that grabbed me from page one, and I was unable to put the book down. Elizebeth has a full life outside of the home with her cryptanalysis and must learn how to balance her work and home life as a wife and mother, which is an unusual position to be in during the 1920’s. Marie begins life poor and makes terrible choices in men, but it leads to her ambition and endless need for wealth. Elizebeth and Marie are fully developed characters that you can empathize with in different ways, and it makes their protagonist/antagonist battles even more fascinating.
I highly recommend this amazing historical fiction!
THE LAST TWELVE MILES by Erika Robuck is a thrilling historical fiction story of two women, each brilliant, going head-to-head on opposite sides of the law during the Prohibition Era southern rum wars. While I have read about Elizebeth Friedman and her contributions to cryptanalysis, Spanish Marie was new to me, and this author brought both women to vivid life for me as I was reading.
Mrs. Elizebeth Smith Friedman and her husband invented cryptanalysis during WWI. Elizebeth has gone on to work for the Coast Guard during Prohibition to crack smugglers’ codes so the Coast Guard can intercept smugglers and destroy their illegal alcohol. Her primary focus is on the Cuban, Bahamian, and Florida routes. She is the Coast Guards secret weapon to capturing many law breakers.
Marie Waite is the wife of a rum runner and when she learns the queen of the runners is retiring, she seizes the opportunity and becomes Spanish Marie. She takes advantage of every new technology to evade capture and continue her rise to the top of her chosen illegal trade.
Spanish Marie becomes Elizebeth’s obsession in a cat and mouse game.
I loved this story so much! Ms. Robuck brings both women to life on the page, even though the author acknowledges that information on Spanish Marie is more lore than fact. This is a historical fiction book that grabbed me from page one, and I was unable to put the book down. Elizebeth has a full life outside of the home with her cryptanalysis and must learn how to balance her work and home life as a wife and mother, which is an unusual position to be in during the 1920’s. Marie begins life poor and makes terrible choices in men, but it leads to her ambition and endless need for wealth. Elizebeth and Marie are fully developed characters that you can empathize with in different ways, and it makes their protagonist/antagonist battles even more fascinating.
I highly recommend this amazing historical fiction!
May 20, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Erika Robuck brings readers back to the Prohibition era and recounts the tale of two women: cryptographer Elizebeth Friedman and rumrunner Marie Waite. Although both women are mothers and wives, life has led them down different paths, which are about to intersect in a classic cat-and-mouse game.
I liked the novel. Marie's chapters were my favourite and I was cheering for her to get the best of those pursuing her. That could have made Elizebeth Friedman raise her eyebrows but I cannot help it. Erika Robuck just wrote her to be that compelling of a character. I appreciated the author's notes at both the beginning and the end of the book.
As another reviewer wrote, this book would make an exciting movie.
Expected Publication 04/06/24
Goodreads Review 20/05/24
Erika Robuck brings readers back to the Prohibition era and recounts the tale of two women: cryptographer Elizebeth Friedman and rumrunner Marie Waite. Although both women are mothers and wives, life has led them down different paths, which are about to intersect in a classic cat-and-mouse game.
I liked the novel. Marie's chapters were my favourite and I was cheering for her to get the best of those pursuing her. That could have made Elizebeth Friedman raise her eyebrows but I cannot help it. Erika Robuck just wrote her to be that compelling of a character. I appreciated the author's notes at both the beginning and the end of the book.
As another reviewer wrote, this book would make an exciting movie.
Expected Publication 04/06/24
Goodreads Review 20/05/24
July 14, 2024
I think all hist fic fans are familiar with Erika Robuck’s novels, but if you aren’t, they are must-reads. I’m pretty sure this is the first book I’ve read focused on rum running during Prohibition with two women as the leads. Sooooooo good.
About the book: “"Set against the backdrop of the Prohibition Rum Wars, Robuck has brought two real-life figures to the page with heartfelt intimacy and crackling suspense. A fascinating read!" — Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress
Two real, brilliant women on opposite sides of the law, in a deadly game of cat and mouse…”
I also loved this author’s note: “Fans of both my war novels and HEMINGWAY'G GIRL will enjoy THE LAST TWELVE MILES--which even includes some HEMINGWAY'S GIRL "Easter Eggs." Whether you've read that novel or not, however, this Catch Me If You Can style book is best read on a boat or on a beach, while sipping a rum cocktail of some kind.”
Elizebeth Friedman, who along with her husband, invented cryptanalysis, is one of the main characters featured. In this novel, she’s working with the Coast Guard to crack smugglers’ codes during Prohibition. She is beyond skilled at what she does.
Marie Waite is the daughter of a rum runner and wants to be Queen of the trade. What ensues is a cat and mouse where Elizebeth and Marie become arch nemeses, Catch Me If You Can style. Both are formidable and endearing. It was hard to know which one to cheer for, so I couldn’t help siding with both at one time or another!
Overall, this is quite the ride of a read, and I enjoyed it immensely. It’s exciting and enchanting at the same time.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About the book: “"Set against the backdrop of the Prohibition Rum Wars, Robuck has brought two real-life figures to the page with heartfelt intimacy and crackling suspense. A fascinating read!" — Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress
Two real, brilliant women on opposite sides of the law, in a deadly game of cat and mouse…”
I also loved this author’s note: “Fans of both my war novels and HEMINGWAY'G GIRL will enjoy THE LAST TWELVE MILES--which even includes some HEMINGWAY'S GIRL "Easter Eggs." Whether you've read that novel or not, however, this Catch Me If You Can style book is best read on a boat or on a beach, while sipping a rum cocktail of some kind.”
Elizebeth Friedman, who along with her husband, invented cryptanalysis, is one of the main characters featured. In this novel, she’s working with the Coast Guard to crack smugglers’ codes during Prohibition. She is beyond skilled at what she does.
Marie Waite is the daughter of a rum runner and wants to be Queen of the trade. What ensues is a cat and mouse where Elizebeth and Marie become arch nemeses, Catch Me If You Can style. Both are formidable and endearing. It was hard to know which one to cheer for, so I couldn’t help siding with both at one time or another!
Overall, this is quite the ride of a read, and I enjoyed it immensely. It’s exciting and enchanting at the same time.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 14, 2024
I was very intrigued when I read in the description this was about two real women who were remarkable that I hadn’t heard of. I will say while the writing was good I thought the story moved too slowly and I would have liked a little more action. Elizebeth and Marie were both great characters (and women). Who would have guessed that a DC code breaker thwarting the rum runners was a woman? When Marie, mastermind behind he and her husband’s rum running business, finds out she kicks herself for not guessing. Their game of cat and mouse was fun and I could have done with more of that and less of the family pieces from both women. Overall I gave this one a 3.5 which I rounded up because the author did a good job highlighting two strong women from history.
January 12, 2024
A brilliant histfic novel about two gutsy women: a codebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard and a rumrunner using coded communication during Prohibition. Robuck gives us such a beautifully written portrait of each woman that we find ourselves cheering for both. Unputdownable!
January 9, 2024
Absolutely loved this historical fiction story of two intelligent, sly, tenacious, strongwilled women on opposite sides of the law during the Rum Wars and Prohibition.
It was a joy to learn about cryptanalyist, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, whose extensive work puts her in a consulting position to help the Coast Guard to intercept and crack codes of "rumrunners" in order to apprehend them. There were 12 miles of US waters off the Florida Keys where most activity took place. Elizebeth tracks the infamous "Spanish Marie".
It is Marie's story that makes this book phenomenal for me. She is the "Bonnie" of "Bonnie and Clyde". Her humble beginnings, poor choice in men, and scrappy antics are fun to read and add layers to her character but it's her abundant ambition and fearless desire for wealth that makes her the perfect antihero.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Erika Robuck, for the ARC of this book. I loved it so much I'm buying multiple copies for my reader friends.
It was a joy to learn about cryptanalyist, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, whose extensive work puts her in a consulting position to help the Coast Guard to intercept and crack codes of "rumrunners" in order to apprehend them. There were 12 miles of US waters off the Florida Keys where most activity took place. Elizebeth tracks the infamous "Spanish Marie".
It is Marie's story that makes this book phenomenal for me. She is the "Bonnie" of "Bonnie and Clyde". Her humble beginnings, poor choice in men, and scrappy antics are fun to read and add layers to her character but it's her abundant ambition and fearless desire for wealth that makes her the perfect antihero.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Erika Robuck, for the ARC of this book. I loved it so much I'm buying multiple copies for my reader friends.
July 11, 2025
TITLE: The Last Twelve Miles
AUTHOR: Erika Robuck
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
Two brilliant women. One epic game of cat and mouse.
If you love historical fiction with real stakes, fierce female leads, and high-seas drama, you need to read The Last Twelve Miles by @erikarobuck
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Erika Robuck’s The Last Twelve Miles is a riveting, richly layered novel that brings two remarkable real women to life with intelligence and heart. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, the pioneering codebreaker, and Marie Waite, a cunning rumrunner, are compelling opposites—both driven, brilliant, and navigating male-dominated worlds with quiet power. Robuck’s prose is elegant and assured, her research impeccable, and the emotional stakes pulse beneath every page. More than a historical thriller, this is a story of resilience, ambition, and the hidden cost of brilliance. A stunning tribute to two forgotten trailblazers.
🔥 Smart. Suspenseful. Unputdownable. 📖 Based on true events. 👑 Add this to your TBR ASAP.
AUTHOR: Erika Robuck
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
Two brilliant women. One epic game of cat and mouse.
If you love historical fiction with real stakes, fierce female leads, and high-seas drama, you need to read The Last Twelve Miles by @erikarobuck
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Erika Robuck’s The Last Twelve Miles is a riveting, richly layered novel that brings two remarkable real women to life with intelligence and heart. Elizebeth Smith Friedman, the pioneering codebreaker, and Marie Waite, a cunning rumrunner, are compelling opposites—both driven, brilliant, and navigating male-dominated worlds with quiet power. Robuck’s prose is elegant and assured, her research impeccable, and the emotional stakes pulse beneath every page. More than a historical thriller, this is a story of resilience, ambition, and the hidden cost of brilliance. A stunning tribute to two forgotten trailblazers.
🔥 Smart. Suspenseful. Unputdownable. 📖 Based on true events. 👑 Add this to your TBR ASAP.
January 12, 2024
I had such high hopes for this one. A book about code-breaking and rum-running shouldn't be dry as dust, but this one is. This books reads like a textbook but offers little detail some how. The prose goes beyond telling instead of showing to actually beating the reader over the head with the obvious (ie, "Charlie wears only a sleeveless, white undershirt, pants, and suspenders to hold up his pants." What else do suspenders do?). The characters are cardboard. The code-breaker sure frets a lot about being pregnant. The rum-runner is bitter about growing up in poverty and reminds us of that constantly. There is very little detail about breaking codes (and why is Elizebeth working on such secret material in public, such as on a train?). The book takes place in glamorous locations such as Key West and Miami, and none of them are brought to life. The only allusions to suspense or emotions are the characters holding their breath a lot. And the ending really doesn't wrap things up. The author's note at the end was far more interesting than the preceeding novel and left me saying, "I'd rather read about that!"
I received a free advance copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free advance copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
June 13, 2024
This sounded so good, but I knew pretty early into it that it wasn't for me.
I love stories about strong female characters, and this book ostensibly has two that the book was about. I'm also interested in the 1920s as an era, and Prohibition is another thing that interests me.
The problem for me was that both of the two main characters are introduced with a bunch of emotional and relationship baggage. I wanted the story to get to the roles these women play in the two sides of Prohibition, not their personal issues.
Possibly the story pivots further in to actually get to the story the blurb sold me, and away from their personal dramas but I wasn't sure how long I would have to wait and how much more personal detritus I would have to get through for that, and I just wasn't interested in that, so I'm moving onto something else. This was a miss for me.
I love stories about strong female characters, and this book ostensibly has two that the book was about. I'm also interested in the 1920s as an era, and Prohibition is another thing that interests me.
The problem for me was that both of the two main characters are introduced with a bunch of emotional and relationship baggage. I wanted the story to get to the roles these women play in the two sides of Prohibition, not their personal issues.
Possibly the story pivots further in to actually get to the story the blurb sold me, and away from their personal dramas but I wasn't sure how long I would have to wait and how much more personal detritus I would have to get through for that, and I just wasn't interested in that, so I'm moving onto something else. This was a miss for me.
January 4, 2024
Summary: The legend of Spanish Marie lives on in Florida and Cuba. During the Prohibition Era, Marie and Charlie Waite ran a rum-running empire, transporting and wholesaling liquor from Cuba and Bahamas to the US. On the opposing side was the US Coastguard and a husband-and-wife team specialized in cryptanalysis, or the deciphering of secret codes and messages. Elizebeth and William Friedman worked as agents of the US government in cracking the codes used by smugglers to communicate and transport their goods. The title refers to the fact that there is a distance of 90 nautical miles from Cuba to Florida; for 78 of those miles their cargo was perfectly legal on the seas, but for the last 12 miles in US waters their cargo of liquor was a criminal offense.
Thoughts: This was a well-researched and conceived novel depicting the author’s vision of the battle of wits between Marie and Elizebeth. Marie is a fully developed character in this story, struggling with her alcoholic and temperamental husband, and aspiring to legendary status among the smugglers in the goal of providing herself and her children with all the trappings of the good life. Marie desperately wants to overcome the poverty and shame of her early life and to be important and memorable, however she has no intention of spending time in prison. Elizebeth is motivated by the sheer love of cracking a mystery which seems impenetrable to other people. This is a novel of historical fiction, in which the author acknowledges that not all the facts are known about Spanish Marie and much of what exists is legend and lore. However, she does an amazing job crafting a story which blends historical fact with her interpretation of events and personalities. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to any fan of historical fiction or anyone with an interest in the rum-running trade during Prohibition.
Thoughts: This was a well-researched and conceived novel depicting the author’s vision of the battle of wits between Marie and Elizebeth. Marie is a fully developed character in this story, struggling with her alcoholic and temperamental husband, and aspiring to legendary status among the smugglers in the goal of providing herself and her children with all the trappings of the good life. Marie desperately wants to overcome the poverty and shame of her early life and to be important and memorable, however she has no intention of spending time in prison. Elizebeth is motivated by the sheer love of cracking a mystery which seems impenetrable to other people. This is a novel of historical fiction, in which the author acknowledges that not all the facts are known about Spanish Marie and much of what exists is legend and lore. However, she does an amazing job crafting a story which blends historical fact with her interpretation of events and personalities. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to any fan of historical fiction or anyone with an interest in the rum-running trade during Prohibition.
January 14, 2024
The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck is a great historical fiction set in the 1920s that I really enjoyed.
I really liked this novel that gave a dual narrative of two equally interesting and complex main characters that were on opposing sides during the Prohibition era.
While both women were quite different, they still had similarities when it came down to it. It was interesting to learn more about the code breaking during this decade in the US.
Fascinating.
4/5 stars
Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/4/24.
I really liked this novel that gave a dual narrative of two equally interesting and complex main characters that were on opposing sides during the Prohibition era.
While both women were quite different, they still had similarities when it came down to it. It was interesting to learn more about the code breaking during this decade in the US.
Fascinating.
4/5 stars
Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/4/24.
March 5, 2024
Oof, this book was tough for me. I almost DNF’d it a couple times, yet I persevered and finished the book in hopes that it would get better. It did not. The writing was repetitive and flat, as well as the characters. It read like the author was telling you about the people and events in more of a textbook/nonfiction way instead of using the real life events wrapped in fiction. Therefore, it was hard to connect with the characters Mary Waite and Elizebeth Smith Friedman, and to grasp the essence of who they may have been in that period of time. Overall: this book was a miss for me, though the topic was interesting, just poorly conveyed.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 19, 2024
There is nothing better than historical fiction and this story fits the bill!
Real historical facts of the time of prohibition, sets two women on opposite sides of the law. One a brilliant code cracker working with the Coast Guard to stop the incoming alcohol.
The other woman, Queen of the Rum Runners ready to step down. But another is waiting in the background wanting to take over.
Based on a true story, you will not be able to put it down!
Real historical facts of the time of prohibition, sets two women on opposite sides of the law. One a brilliant code cracker working with the Coast Guard to stop the incoming alcohol.
The other woman, Queen of the Rum Runners ready to step down. But another is waiting in the background wanting to take over.
Based on a true story, you will not be able to put it down!
March 26, 2024
Two women are on opposite sides of the prohibition war—a code-breaker and a rum runner. Each woman is determined to succeed while living in a man's world. This book was a great blast from the past, and I highly recommend it to anyone, especially historical fiction lovers.
July 3, 2024
I’ve loved every Erika Robuck book I’ve read. If you love reading about fascinating women in history, read an Erika Robuck novel.
Set in 1920s Washington D.C., Miami, Key West, Bahamas, and Cuba, Robuck introduces readers to two fascinating women on both sides of the law. Elizebeth is a top-secret code-breaker working for the US Coast Guard. Marie is a rumrunner, smuggling liquor across the sea into Florida during Prohibition. The US Coast Guard can’t keep up with all the traffic and they enlist Elizebeth to help. Elizebeth and her husband both work for the government and are the inventors of cryptoanalysis, a process of using algorithms to decipher the secret text.
Through alternating chapters, readers are allowed into the minds of Elizebeth and Marie which offers readers a unique perspective. In one chapter, you’ll hope that Elizebeth can determine the rumrunners’ codes so they are caught. But, in the next chapter, you’ll be rooting for Marie to get away with her latest liquor delivery.
Both Elizebeth and Marie are mothers yet have different motivations. Elizebeth is torn between wanting to be a mother to her children and using her brain for the specific sophisticated job of decoding messages. Marie enjoys motherhood but doesn’t like her husband. She is blinded by her desire to keep making more and more money and get as far away from a life of poverty as she can. As she makes more money, her husband gambles it away or spends it frivolously. Marie is driven by money and can’t get enough of it which may just lead to her downfall.
As you can imagine there is a lot of discontent in Marie’s household. As she gets smarter and brings in new technology (radios), Elizebeth has to work harder and more hours to decode their messages. The cat-and-mouse chase gets intense, people are killed, and danger lurks everywhere. It’s a thrilling adventure right up to the end and I was sad to finish reading about the lives of these women.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
This prohibition story was brand new to me. I’ve read other prohibition stories set in the Midwest since Al Capone ran a lot of the liquor runs from Chicago. Robuck describes her setting with such detail that I felt like I could almost hear the boats coming into shore. The title of the book relates to The Last Twelve Miles of the journey to the US Coast. Those twelve miles are when the rumrunner’s load of liquor is considered contraband. The first part of the journey their cargo is legal. In those last twelve miles, the codes become so important and the race to escape or trick the Coast Guard becomes imperative.
Two intelligent women in history, one who enforced the law and one who regularly broke it, kept me turning the pages. It was a thrilling adventure and one that left me wanting to know more about these women and googling their images. Fans of historical fiction that isn’t a war story will find this fast-paced novel about real women in history to be a great read.
Set in 1920s Washington D.C., Miami, Key West, Bahamas, and Cuba, Robuck introduces readers to two fascinating women on both sides of the law. Elizebeth is a top-secret code-breaker working for the US Coast Guard. Marie is a rumrunner, smuggling liquor across the sea into Florida during Prohibition. The US Coast Guard can’t keep up with all the traffic and they enlist Elizebeth to help. Elizebeth and her husband both work for the government and are the inventors of cryptoanalysis, a process of using algorithms to decipher the secret text.
Through alternating chapters, readers are allowed into the minds of Elizebeth and Marie which offers readers a unique perspective. In one chapter, you’ll hope that Elizebeth can determine the rumrunners’ codes so they are caught. But, in the next chapter, you’ll be rooting for Marie to get away with her latest liquor delivery.
Both Elizebeth and Marie are mothers yet have different motivations. Elizebeth is torn between wanting to be a mother to her children and using her brain for the specific sophisticated job of decoding messages. Marie enjoys motherhood but doesn’t like her husband. She is blinded by her desire to keep making more and more money and get as far away from a life of poverty as she can. As she makes more money, her husband gambles it away or spends it frivolously. Marie is driven by money and can’t get enough of it which may just lead to her downfall.
As you can imagine there is a lot of discontent in Marie’s household. As she gets smarter and brings in new technology (radios), Elizebeth has to work harder and more hours to decode their messages. The cat-and-mouse chase gets intense, people are killed, and danger lurks everywhere. It’s a thrilling adventure right up to the end and I was sad to finish reading about the lives of these women.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
This prohibition story was brand new to me. I’ve read other prohibition stories set in the Midwest since Al Capone ran a lot of the liquor runs from Chicago. Robuck describes her setting with such detail that I felt like I could almost hear the boats coming into shore. The title of the book relates to The Last Twelve Miles of the journey to the US Coast. Those twelve miles are when the rumrunner’s load of liquor is considered contraband. The first part of the journey their cargo is legal. In those last twelve miles, the codes become so important and the race to escape or trick the Coast Guard becomes imperative.
Two intelligent women in history, one who enforced the law and one who regularly broke it, kept me turning the pages. It was a thrilling adventure and one that left me wanting to know more about these women and googling their images. Fans of historical fiction that isn’t a war story will find this fast-paced novel about real women in history to be a great read.
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June 4, 2024Fascinating, compelling, and fresh!
The Last Twelve Miles is an evocative, intriguing tale that sweeps you between Washington D.C. and the Bahamas during 1926 and into the lives of two women; Elizabeth Friedman, a talented codebreaker tasked with intercepting and deciphering messages to take down the most enterprising of smugglers, and Marie Waits, a mother of two who decides to take over the rum-running business from her husband and build it into something bigger and better than ever before.
The prose is expressive and rich. The characters are complex, intelligent, and driven. And the plot is a well-paced, entertaining mix of life, loss, love, justice, power, family, sacrifice, danger, corruption, politics, and ruthless ambition.
Overall, The Last Twelve Miles is an intricate, vivid, satisfying tale by Robuck inspired by real-life events that does a lovely job of interweaving historical facts and compelling fiction into an engaging tale that is atmospheric and highly absorbing.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Twelve Miles is an evocative, intriguing tale that sweeps you between Washington D.C. and the Bahamas during 1926 and into the lives of two women; Elizabeth Friedman, a talented codebreaker tasked with intercepting and deciphering messages to take down the most enterprising of smugglers, and Marie Waits, a mother of two who decides to take over the rum-running business from her husband and build it into something bigger and better than ever before.
The prose is expressive and rich. The characters are complex, intelligent, and driven. And the plot is a well-paced, entertaining mix of life, loss, love, justice, power, family, sacrifice, danger, corruption, politics, and ruthless ambition.
Overall, The Last Twelve Miles is an intricate, vivid, satisfying tale by Robuck inspired by real-life events that does a lovely job of interweaving historical facts and compelling fiction into an engaging tale that is atmospheric and highly absorbing.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2024
My reviewing mojo has left the building. Who knows when it will return...
I really enjoyed this one. The author weaves a riveting story around two real women of the 1920s.
The time and setting were a bit different--Prohibition era amid the rum-runners in Florida, and the Coast Guard's efforts to thwart them.
I already knew a lot about Elizebeth Friedman, the brilliant codebreaker/cryptanalyst working for the Coast Guard. I knew nothing about 'Spanish Marie'. What ensues is a vivid cat and mouse tale, featuring two strong-minded women, each determined to succeed.
Well worth the time; strongly recommended.
I really enjoyed this one. The author weaves a riveting story around two real women of the 1920s.
The time and setting were a bit different--Prohibition era amid the rum-runners in Florida, and the Coast Guard's efforts to thwart them.
I already knew a lot about Elizebeth Friedman, the brilliant codebreaker/cryptanalyst working for the Coast Guard. I knew nothing about 'Spanish Marie'. What ensues is a vivid cat and mouse tale, featuring two strong-minded women, each determined to succeed.
Well worth the time; strongly recommended.
February 28, 2024
The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck is a historical fiction novel that tells the true story of two women who led criminal and legal operations during the Prohibition era.
The novel is based on extensive research and historical sources, and it features a captivating plot and realistic characters. The novel also explores various themes and issues related to crime and justice, and the role of women in history and society. This book is suitable for readers who like historical fiction, suspense, and strong female protagonists. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The novel is based on extensive research and historical sources, and it features a captivating plot and realistic characters. The novel also explores various themes and issues related to crime and justice, and the role of women in history and society. This book is suitable for readers who like historical fiction, suspense, and strong female protagonists. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
January 15, 2026
The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck – Review
The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck is a richly detailed historical novel inspired by true events and centered on two remarkable women navigating the shadowy world of America’s Prohibition era. In 1926, brilliant cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman works for the U.S. Coast Guard breaking smuggler codes and decoding clandestine communications to intercept illegal liquor shipments in the “rum wars,” while Marie Waite, a daring and ambitious rumrunner in the Bahamas and Florida Straits, builds her own smuggling empire as she strives to provide for her family and rise above her circumstances. Robuck alternates between their perspectives in a high‑stakes cat‑and‑mouse game where intellect, risk, and determination collide against the glamorous and dangerous backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Both women juggle personal challenges, societal expectations, motherhood, and fierce professional ambition in a world that often underestimates them.
From the moment I stepped into Robuck’s vivid world I felt carried along by both the salty tang of the sea and the thrill of intellectual pursuit: Elizebeth’s meticulous code‑breaking felt like a cerebral chase, while Marie���s bold gambits on the water pulsed with risk and raw determination. What I appreciated most was how Robuck made these women feel vibrant and complex, each with their own dreams and doubts, and helped me root for them even when they sat on opposite sides of the law. The rich historical detail and the tension between personal desire and professional drive gave this story emotional resonance and suspense in equal measure.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its blend of real‑life heroism, ambition, and riveting rivalry kept me fully engaged from the first page to the last.
The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck is a richly detailed historical novel inspired by true events and centered on two remarkable women navigating the shadowy world of America’s Prohibition era. In 1926, brilliant cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman works for the U.S. Coast Guard breaking smuggler codes and decoding clandestine communications to intercept illegal liquor shipments in the “rum wars,” while Marie Waite, a daring and ambitious rumrunner in the Bahamas and Florida Straits, builds her own smuggling empire as she strives to provide for her family and rise above her circumstances. Robuck alternates between their perspectives in a high‑stakes cat‑and‑mouse game where intellect, risk, and determination collide against the glamorous and dangerous backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Both women juggle personal challenges, societal expectations, motherhood, and fierce professional ambition in a world that often underestimates them.
From the moment I stepped into Robuck’s vivid world I felt carried along by both the salty tang of the sea and the thrill of intellectual pursuit: Elizebeth’s meticulous code‑breaking felt like a cerebral chase, while Marie���s bold gambits on the water pulsed with risk and raw determination. What I appreciated most was how Robuck made these women feel vibrant and complex, each with their own dreams and doubts, and helped me root for them even when they sat on opposite sides of the law. The rich historical detail and the tension between personal desire and professional drive gave this story emotional resonance and suspense in equal measure.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its blend of real‑life heroism, ambition, and riveting rivalry kept me fully engaged from the first page to the last.
May 21, 2024
The Florida Keys, Cuba, Bahamas - love the settings. Great idea for characters, Elizebeth the government code breaker and Spanish Marie the newest Queen rum runner set against each other. I am intrigued by the two strong, intelligent women battling it out from both sides of the law. Although I enjoyed the story and it had a lot of action, I wanted more clever banter from these women! Sometimes the narrative feels forced and falls flat. I loved the main characters but did feel like Elizebeth talks as much about her pregnancy as codebreaking and Marie about growing up in poverty as rum running. They held my interest but could use additional character development. Give us more specifics of the codebreaking and insights into the life of a female rumrunner. It was clear a lot of research went into this but it wasn’t conveyed well and left me wanting more.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2024
The Last Twelve Miles
By: Erika Robuck
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 368
Publication date: June 4
4 🍹🍹🍹🍹
1926- During Prohibition, smuggling is rampant and the coast guard is having a hard time keeping up.
Enter a “secret weapon”, a wife and mother no one would suspect. We follow two gutsy women Elizabeth and Marie. Smuggling, code breaking, bootlegging and danger in Florida. The court scene and fabulous details of the action scenes were described so well that I could picture the scenes. Get ready for one wild ride!
#thelasttwelvemiles, #ericarobuck, #sourcebookslandmark, #bookreview, #stamperlady50, #booksconnectus
By: Erika Robuck
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 368
Publication date: June 4
4 🍹🍹🍹🍹
1926- During Prohibition, smuggling is rampant and the coast guard is having a hard time keeping up.
Enter a “secret weapon”, a wife and mother no one would suspect. We follow two gutsy women Elizabeth and Marie. Smuggling, code breaking, bootlegging and danger in Florida. The court scene and fabulous details of the action scenes were described so well that I could picture the scenes. Get ready for one wild ride!
#thelasttwelvemiles, #ericarobuck, #sourcebookslandmark, #bookreview, #stamperlady50, #booksconnectus
February 29, 2024
Perfect read for my drive to Key West! I found it hard to decide if I wanted the good gal or the "bad" gal to win! Historical fiction with two strong female leads on opposite sides of the law during Prohibition. A female code breaker working for the Coasties intercepting rum smugglers and one of the most infamous female smugglers who runs an empire through the trading routes in Miami and Key West. A fantastic read as I didn't know about female code breakers and I enjoy strong female characters especially those from history that are not well known.
June 25, 2024
Elizabeth and Marie are on opposite sides of the rum war during the Prohibition Era. Elizabeth is a code breaker for the US government and “Spanish Marie” is queen of the rum runners. Apparently this is based on a true story but in the audiobook at least, there was no note from the author so I’ll have to go research it. It was a compelling story and well told for the most part. The author did a great job of writing two compelling characters that you could root for… although I didn’t really care for the ending. But if it’s a true story and that’s really how it ended what can you do? I do wish some of the more exciting parts would have been written a bit more dynamically- occasionally they were even skipped over and talked about after the fact. I did very much appreciate though how the author wrote about deplorable people without making her book deplorable. So while not an instant favorite book, it was quite good and overall I do recommend it.
Content warning: a few mild curses from pretty much one character, mild violence, minor sexual references
Content warning: a few mild curses from pretty much one character, mild violence, minor sexual references
April 25, 2025
3.5 rounded up. I love the concept of this book, and I was unfamiliar with the history, so it intrigued me. I thought the story was good, but the pace was slow. I loved the two female lead characters, and you can tell care was given to the research. A little more focus on the high stakes involved would have added the necessary action this book was missing for me...and that would have changed everything.
May 8, 2025
An intriguing novel about a woman who takes up bootlegging during the Prohibition Era and another woman who works to stop her. I'd previously read a biography of Elizebeth Friedman, so I liked encountering her again with a more narrow focus on one part of her life and her codebreaking abilities. While I didn't care much for Maria, who takes up crime to support herself, I could understand her motivations. Overall, an interesting novel even if it did leave me wanting a little something more.
December 12, 2024
Fascinating subject. I have never come across the history of rum running before. I’m going to have to search out info on Marie. This book is very well written and appears well researched too. I’m going to look for the author’s other books.
February 22, 2025
I really liked this story. I am intrigued with the characters and that they were real. The authors note at the end explains it all. A bit slow to start but in the end enjoyable and I was left wanting to know more.
April 24, 2025
A mix of Catch Me if You Can and Scarface. Fun cat vs mouse story. A pretty lackluster ending though.
June 9, 2024
4.5/5 - 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.
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