The historical fiction story of Nancy Wake, a World War 2 spy for the British, by Ariel Lawhon. Wake started as a journalist with the Hearst newspapers in Paris, married a Frenchman before the war, then escaped after the Nazi’s invaded France. She parachuted back into France as a British SOE operative, code name Helene, but the Gestapo called her The White Mouse, and the Allies heavily decorated her after the war for her extraordinary service.
This captivating and essential story is carefully crafted by the author, who uses both first-person and third-person narratives in alternating chapters. The character development is very well done, although the gay Hungarian radio operator who insisted on calling Nancy “ducky” became a distraction. Some characters are beyond contemptible and mostly get what they deserve, except Henri Fiocca’s father, who is despicable and remains unpunished.