Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon

5/5 Stars

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I also thoroughly enjoy books about trailblazing women and WWII. Code Name Hélène, to my delight, delivered all three. It was a wonderfully written novel about Nancy Wake, an Australian living in Paris who, as a trailblazing female journalist, reports on disturbing reports of violent atrocities committed by Hitler and the Nazis. In the midst of her budding career, Nancy meets and later marries Henri Fiocca, a wealthy, sought-after Frenchman. The ladies love him, but Nancy wins his heart quickly, though the return of her love takes some convincing and persistence on his part. Not long after their love blooms, the Germans invade France and Nancy, unable to stand by and watch, finds a calling as a spy. She is fierce, cunning and successful. She becomes well-known to the Germans as the White Mouse and they place a sizable bounty on her head. Her missions are dangerous and thrilling, her life and story captivating. This part of her story is absolutely incredible and the reach of her influence immeasurable. The completion of her story is a beautiful and emotional resolution of a life well lived and lived with purpose.

I have seen many reviewers comment that the author spent too much time on Nancy’s relationship with her suitor and then husband, Henri Fiocca. However, I enjoyed this very human aspect of her life and felt that it added tremendously to building her character. We were able to see an inside view of Nancy as a woman in love, not just Nancy as a courageous spy. The development of her character added tremendously to the emotional aspect of this book, and I appreciated it.

Code Name Hélène was thoroughly researched and well written. I was left wanting to learn more about The White Mouse, encouraging me to seek further reading. This is the first book I have read by Ariel Lawhon. Based on my enjoyment of it, I fully intend to read others.