Code Name Hélène

Based on the thrilling true story of Nancy Wake, 'The White Mouse'

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Code Name Hélène

By: Ariel Lawhon

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Peter Ganim

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About this listen

From the bestselling author of The Frozen River, a thrilling story of danger, intrigue and enduring love, based on the extraordinary true story of Nancy Wake, the Australian nurse and journalist who became a heroine of the French Resistance in World War II.

Paris, 1936: Intrepid young Australian journalist Nancy Wake has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper when she meets wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she decides to join the resistance. Now she must take another name – a code name.

As Lucienne Carlier, Nancy smuggles people across the border, and her remarkable ability to evade capture earns her the nickname The White Mouse. With a five-million-franc bounty on her head, she is forced to escape France, so she enters training with the Special Operations Executives in Britain, where her new comrades know her as Hélène. Eventually, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly Madam Andrée, where she claims her place as one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance.

All the while, Nancy is armed with a ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and the backing of the Allied Forces. But no one can protect Nancy or the people she loves if the enemy finds out that these four women are one and the same…

‘will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women.’ Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

‘Fascinating.’New York Post, ‘Required Reading’

20th Century

Historical

Historical Fiction

Thriller & Suspense

Women's Fiction

Fiction

Exciting

Heartfelt

War

Critic Reviews

'will fascinate readers of World War II history and thrill fans of fierce, brash, independent women' (Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours)

'Fascinating.'

‘Gripping … Lawhon throws readers into the middle of the action … Lawhon’s vivid, fast-paced narrative will keep readers turning the pages, and a detailed afterword makes plain how much of the account is factual. This entertaining tale does justice to Lawhon’s larger-than-life subject.’

‘Masterful ... Exhaustively researched and vividly woven … As much an epic love story as an engrossing narrative of an unlikely anti-Nazi combatant … Lawhon has proven herself a master at her craft, and she does readers a great service with Code Name Hélène.’

‘Readers will be transfixed by the story of a woman who should be a household name.’

'A spellbinding work of historical fiction... She is real, this really did happen is the mantra you may find yourself repeating, in awe at every page.'

‘Magnificent ... Lawhon carries us into the heart of the French resistance [and] into the mind of a badass heroine with uncanny instincts who takes on the Nazis and men’s arrogant sexism with uncommon bravado ... Propulsive ... Emotionally stirring... Even long after the last page is turned, this astonishing story of Wake’s accomplishments will hold readers in its grip.’

'A compulsively readable account of a little-known yet extraordinary historical figure – Lawhon’s best book to date.'

Most relevant

Amazing! This story about Nancy Wake is such a wonderful listen. The inspiring life of such a courageous woman is almost beyond comprehension. The World has a lot to thank this gutsy lady for. The author has handled “her story” with great understanding and skill - certainly kept me reading.