I received a free copy of “Speakeasy” from St. Martin’s Press to offer an honest review for The Silver Petticoat Review. I was not paid for this post, and all opinions are my own.
Synopsis of Speakeasy:
Lena Stillman, a thirty-year-old woman, is living a respectable life when a shocking newspaper headline pulls her back to her past. The headline is about her former lover, charismatic bank robber Bill Bagley. Lena had tried to forget Bill by diving into her linguistic studies, which eventually led her to a job as a Navy code-breaker intercepting Japanese messages during World War II. But can Lena keep her secrets buried? Threatening notes and an old diary that recalls her days with the gang are starting to unravel her new life. Who can she trust? Is there a spy among the code-breakers? And who wants her dead?
Speakeasy Review:
“Speakeasy” is an ambitious historical novel that transports you to a time when people secretly whispered about illegal bars where music and dancing thrived away from prying eyes. The book shines in its depiction of not one, but two significant time periods. First, it takes you back to the chaos and desperation of the Great Depression and Prohibition, akin to the worlds of Bonnie and Clyde, The Public Enemy, or The Untouchables. Then, it plunges into the heightened emotions of World War II, reminiscent of classic films like Casablanca and The English Patient.
The author does a wonderful job of capturing the conflicting emotions of the 1940s and the rebellious spirit of Prohibition. The story kicks off with promise but unfortunately loses momentum. Despite some beautifully written passages with intricate detail, the book struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative. The potential for an incredible story is there, but the execution falls short.
“Speakeasy” begins right before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and is set mainly in Canada, with a few scenes on the West Coast. The story is told from Lena’s first-person perspective, where she initially comes across as calm and capable. However, as her past collides with her present, her character quickly becomes nervous and fearful, yearning for someone to save her. Despite a pick-up in pace towards the end, Lena never fully recovers from this characterization.
The flashbacks to the early 1930s narrate how Lena joined a gang of bank robbers and fell for their leader, Bill Bagley. Intriguingly, these flashbacks are told from the perspective of another character, Byron Godfrey, who was also part of the gang. This makes the transitions between the past and present somewhat jarring, with the romance between Lena and Bill being largely seen through Byron’s eyes. Byron’s perspective, however, is refreshingly honest, even when it reveals his own motives.
Final Thoughts on Speakeasy/Adaptation Recommendation:
“Speakeasy” brims with potential but never fully finds its footing. The plot gets lost in a plethora of action scenes with painstaking detail. Fans of 1930s bank heists and World War II history might enjoy the well-researched historical context and vivid descriptions. Although I found the book challenging, I appreciated the detailed settings created by Alisa Smith. With some revision, “Speakeasy” could be transformed into an intriguing romantic limited series or a made-for-TV movie.
Content Warning: There’s cursing and some sexual innuendo, but otherwise, it’s a clean read.
“Speakeasy” will be available for purchase on April 10, 2018.
