Code Name Hélène: A gripping wartime novel inspired by a real-life heroine from the bestselling author of THE FROZEN RIVER

· Hachette UK
4 reviews
Ebook
416
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

Woman. Wife. Smuggler. Spy . . .

From the New York Times million-copy-selling author of THE FROZEN RIVER, a thrilling, heart-wrenching novel inspired by the extraordinary true story of wartime heroine Nancy Wake.

TV SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT STARRING ELIZABETH DEBICKI (THE CROWN) AS NANCY WAKE
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In 1936, foreign correspondent, Nancy Wake, witnesses first-hand the terror of Hitler's rise in Europe. No sooner has Nancy met, fallen in love with and agreed to marry French industrialist Henri Fiocca, than the Germans invade France and force her to take on her first code name of many. The Gestapo call her the White Mouse for her remarkable ability to evade capture when smuggling Allied soldiers across borders. She becomes Hélène when she leaves France to train in espionage with an elite special forces group in London. Then, when she returns to France, she is the deadly Madame Andrée. But the closer France gets to liberation, the more exposed Nancy - and the people she loves - will become.

Inspired by true wartime events, Code Name Hélène is a gripping, moving story of incredible courage, unfaltering resolve, remarkable sacrifice - and enduring love.

'Lawhon breathes new life into Nancy Wake's extraordinary story. Rich and thoroughly researched, an exciting, well-written account of wartime valour and the protagonist's qualities shine through' The Times

'Readers will be transfixed by this story of a woman who should be a household name' Library Journal

'A gripping thriller based on the life of Nancy Wake... Will keep readers turning the pages' Publishers Weekly

Just some of the 5-star reader reviews for Code Name Hélène:

'This is the next book I won't be able to stop talking about...so, so good!' 5 stars (Goodreads reviewer)

'I finished this a few weeks ago and I'm still thinking about Hélène . . . exceptional' 5 stars (Goodreads reviewer)

'Will have you turning off phones and TVs and staying up late to read it' 5 stars (Goodreads reviewer)

Woman. Wife. Smuggler. Spy . . . From the New York Times million-copy-selling author of THE FROZEN RIVER, a thrilling, heart-wrenching novel inspired by the extraordinary true story of wartime heroine Nancy Wake. TV SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT STARRING ELIZABETH DEBICKI (THE CROWN) AS NANCY WAKE -----...

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Ratings and reviews

4 reviews
Ann Turman
August 31, 2021
What an amazing woman. Brilliant book, written very true to how it was (according to Nancy's autobiography near all events told in the book actually happened), even though this book is called 'historical fiction'. The original Gutsy Woman. Highly recommended read.
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tee deb
June 9, 2026
very well written! loved it!
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About the author

Ariel Lawhon, author of I Was Anastasia (2018), Flight of Dreams (2016) and The Wife, The Maid And The Mistress (2014), is a critically acclaimed writer of historical fiction. She lives with her family in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee.
Ariel Lawhon, author of I Was Anastasia (2018), Flight of Dreams (2016) and The Wife, The Maid And The Mistress (2014), is a critically acclaimed writer of historical fiction. She lives with her family in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee.

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