The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Freidman and her Hidden Life

Elizebeth Smith Friedman was born in Indiana in 1892 and was determined to attend college against her father’s wishes. She worked hard to educate herself, and this determination would shape her entire career. Later in life, she would find herself working as a code breaker for a millionaire named Fabyan. This job would lead her to her future husband, William Friedman. 

Initially, Elizebeth worked for the eccentric millionaire, Fabyan, who believed that Shakespeare’s work had hidden messages. Elizebeth and William Friedman tried to prove Fabyan’s Shakespeare theory true. However, after a while, they became restless and looked for other job opportunities. The U.S. government hired them as code breakers during World War I. During this time, spies and U.S. enemies feared her because of her unique ability to break codes and uncover secret plans.  

After completing this assignment, they returned to Riverbank, but their relationship with their employer had changed. Their boss, Fabyan, intercepted their mail, which impacted Elizebeth’s ability to secure other jobs. Eventually, William secured a position and left Riverbank. The novel includes their letters during this separation. The letters demonstrate their devotion and mutual support in their shared field, as well as Elizebeth’s feelings of being stuck while William was away.  

The novel effectively shows how Elizebeth overcame challenges, particularly in putting herself through college as a young woman during an era when this was uncommon. Elizebeth broke glass ceilings before the term was coined. She was making waves in not only a male-dominated field but also in a world that had little respect for women. Her attention to detail and courage propelled her career forward, and she would go on to establish a distinguished career as a code breaker for the Coast Guard. 

Despite compelling elements, the book reads choppy and is strangely paced, making it difficult for readers to stay engaged. There is emphasis on plot points that don’t feel important to the overall narrative. Nevertheless, readers will be inspired by Elizebeth’s story regardless of the novel’s choppy nature. Her persistence is truly inspiring, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a male-dominated field. However, some readers may need background research on World War I before starting, as the pages don’t provide much historical context. 

Overall, The Woman All Spies Fear is an inspiring novel that gives proper credit to Elizebeth’s accomplishments. Most importantly, it allows her not to be overshadowed by her husband, giving her the recognition she deserves. Still, readers may walk away wishing they knew more about Elizebeth herself, and not just her work. If readers are interested in World War I or code breaking, this book is a great option that sheds light on an important female figure during World War I and World War II.  Her story is one of persistence and the power to overcome. Her commitment to doing important work with code-breaking is inspiring. Be inspired by other women code breakers by reading Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall and Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars. If you want to learn more about code breaking, read Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing, or Spy Files: Codes and Ciphers. 

Sexual Content 

• Fabyan, Elizebeth’s boss, offers her a sexual proposition. Fabyan says, “Will you go out to Riverdale and spend the night with me?” She is shocked and refuses his request. 
• Sex is hinted at when Elizebeth writes to William: “I am consumed with deep intimate things that burn one up with fire and longing.” 

Violence 

• Criminal rumrunners during Prohibition used violence, and “anyone who got in their way would be gunned down.” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

• Cigarettes are mentioned. “When writing to Elizebeth, William would often use the light from his cigarette to light the way.”  
• Elizebeth goes to work for the Navy during the “Rum War,” which is what the Coast Guard called the effort to stop smuggled alcohol during Prohibition.  
• During Prohibition, people “would down homemade hooch and bathtub gin.” 

Language 

• William told Elizebeth not to worry about the “damn fool Bolsheviks.”  

Supernatural Content 

• None 

Spiritual Content 

• Both families objected to Elizebeth’s marriage to William because he was Jewish.  
• Elizebeth’s father is a Quaker.  

by Kayleigh Doyle