Nancy Wake: World War II Women Spies

Women Spies in World War II #4

by Kit Sergeant

Can a lone woman stop the Nazis’ advance?Discover a tale of courage and heartache in a time where danger lurks at every turn.

Based on the true story of Nancy Wake, this gripping novel delves into the depths of one woman’s bravery as she navigates the treacherous landscape of wartime France during one of history's darkest periods. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale and The Alice Network!

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2024

About the author

Like her character Addy in Thrown for a Curve, Kit has a practically useless degree in marine biology. A teacher by profession and at heart, she loves to impart little-known facts and dares you to walk away from one of her "light-hearted" chick-lit books without learning at least one new thing. Kit's female leads are all intelligent, strong, and stand fine on their own... but then again, a Prince Charming waiting in the background is always appreciated. As long as he puts the toilet seat down.

Reviews

[Jeni | StoryTimeReviews]

The Gestapo called her “The White Mouse.”
Not because she was small.
But because she kept slipping through their traps.

💌 If you love WWII historical fiction like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah — with fearless heroines and espionage that reads like a thriller — save this for your TBR and send it to your historical-fiction-loving friends.

In Nancy Wake, Kit Sergeant tells the story of one of the most formidable resistance fighters of WWII—a woman who smuggled intelligence, sabotaged Nazi operations, and repeatedly slipped past the Gestapo’s attempts to capture her.

What unfolds is a wartime story driven by nerve, quick thinking, and relentless determination. Safe houses, coded messages, sabotage missions, and narrow escapes all reveal how one woman helped keep the resistance alive.

WHAT I LOVED

• 🕊️ A real-life heroine whose courage shaped real resistance efforts
• 🕵️ Intelligence work and sabotage that feel genuinely suspenseful
• ⚡ The constant danger of operating under Nazi occupation
• 💔 The emotional cost carried by those who chose to fight back
• 📜 A vivid look at the underground networks that made resistance possible

FINAL THOUGHTS

💭 Nancy Wake’s life reads like a wartime thriller—but every narrow escape and daring mission actually happened. Stories like this remind us that resistance wasn’t just armies and generals; it was individuals who refused to look away.

💬 Do you enjoy WWII resistance stories—or biographies of real historical heroes?

CONTENT NOTES

🤬 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮/𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚: None noted.

❤️ 𝙎𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩/𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: Mild. References to romantic relationships and wartime situations involving sexual violence are mentioned but not described graphically.

🥊 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚: Moderate wartime violence including sabotage missions, arrests, torture, and death connected to Nazi occupation and resistance activity. Violence is not graphically described.

🥺 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨/𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨: WWII atrocities, Nazi persecution, antisemitism, torture, death, grief, and references to sexual violence; most themes are referenced rather than graphically depicted.

🎬 𝙏𝙑/𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙢 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮: Most likely PG-13 / TV-14 for wartime violence and mature historical themes without graphic detail.

[Mrs. E. Wright]

Breathtaking

The sacrifice made by so many ordinary folk is beyond belief. So very brave. Sad that many so called friends turned out to be collaborators. Gripping story.

[Debbie Trammell]

Good book

I have read Kit other women spy books and they are wonderful. Nancy Wake was surely a force to be reconked with. This was such a good book and I highly recommend it to all. Women were a driving force in winning WW 2.

[Kathleen Gallant]

Exceptional

This book clearly defined the true role of a female Resistance Member in Occupied France. It covered all the bases and outlined the emotional as well as the physical costs of selfless service in the defense of one's Homeland. Remarkable 🤩

[Fran Knutson]

Historical and written wonderfully.

A very exciting and interesting book. I loved it from beginning to end.
While it followed the history of the French resistance it also made you really care about the characters in the story also.

[Sherralynne Smith]

Amazing account of Nancy Wake's service

I loved this book. Kit Sergeant clearly articulates Nancy's service in World War Two and takes the reader on a journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in World War Two.

[Michael Parkinson]

Amazing story

There are some people whose accomplishments are so big that they are hard to believe. Hers are definitely in that group.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf]

What a fascinating, suspenseful story! I’d never heard of Nancy Wake before reading this book, & now I’m completely impressed. Kit Sergeant does an amazing job bringing this colorful, courageous, incomparable WWII heroine to life. Her bravery in the face of unimaginable danger, true grit, & joie de vivre won my admiration.

Australian Nancy Wake ran away from home at 16 & trained herself as a journalist. Working in Berlin during the rise of Hitler, she witnessed firsthand the cruel treatment of the Jews. Escaping Germany, she fled to England, then later France, where she met her wealthy, handsome husband, Henri Fiocca. When France entered the war in 1940, Henri was drafted, & Nancy was determined to do her part. Using their immense wealth, she began working for the Resistance, hiding soldiers & helping them escape to Spain. Her daring missions kept me on the edge of my seat as she tried to stay one step ahead of the Germans. Her ability to evade capture earned her the moniker The White Mouse. Forced to flee France, she doesn’t stay away for long, returning as a spy & liaison between the Resistance & Maquis.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Nancy was such a joy to get to know, full of charm, wit, & expensive taste, yet utterly courageous. I loved how she carried her silk nightgowns & embroidered red pillow from Henri all over the front. Their courtship & marriage was so endearing. Though he was pursued by countless women, confident, beautiful Nancy won his love & led him on a merry chase. Henri could never say no to her schemes, & I loved how he always supported her daring missions. No amount of money was too great to help the Resistance & those in need.

Nancy’s bravery shines throughout this thrilling story. There were so many moments when I wondered if she’d escape with her life. Again & again, she put her life on the line for her countrymen & Allied soldiers. The sacrifices she makes are unimaginable, & I found myself shedding a tear or two at the cost.

Her remarkable, inspiring life is such a testament to sacrifice & courage. Highly recommend to WWII fiction fans. I received an advanced copy from the author but also purchased it in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

Includes: Wartime violence, mentions of assault, torture, injury, & death, all mostly off page. I’d rate it PG-13.

[alisdiscovers]

Nancy Wake by Kit Sergeant is an historical novel and the second book in the World War II Women Spies series.
Based on the life of the remarkable Nancy Wake, this story brings to life a real figure from history whose courage and determination are nothing short of extraordinary. I am always fascinated, and in awe, of the trials people endured and the incredible lengths they went to in order to help others and serve their country during the war.
Sergeant has a wonderful ability to make history feel vivid and immediate, and this book is no exception. The chapters are short, which keeps the pace moving and adds to the tension of the story. Her descriptive writing allowed me to feel the fear, the hope, and at times the deep sense of hopelessness in the situations Nancy Wake found herself facing.
Sergeant delivers the emotional weight of the story with real depth, and at times I felt completely transported into that world, experiencing the uncertainty and bravery alongside the characters.

Overall, this was a powerful and compelling historical novel that highlights the bravery of an extraordinary woman. It is both a gripping story and a reminder of the real people behind the history. If you enjoy historical fiction based on true events, particularly stories of courage, resilience, and the vital roles women played during World War II, this is definitely a book worth reading.

[Fiction Fellowship]

It is 1940 and Nancy Wake Fiocca and her husband, Henri, are living a very privileged life in Marseilles. They have everything they could ever need and then Henri is called to serve in the French army. Soon after, the Nazis have occupied France. Nancy longs to do her part for the cause and after Henri returns home, they start providing a safe house for British internees and escorting them along the Line.

She starts as a courier for an escape network and then helps Allied airmen escape to Spain. The Germans become aware of her and call her the “White Mouse” and eventually Nancy has to escape to England. She uses her wealth and risks her life to save strangers from the Nazis but will have to pay the price.

Nancy played a huge part in the Resistance and stood out among the men for her bravery. Kit Sergeant did her research and really brought Nancy’s personality and courage to life. The story was thrilling, fast-paced and suspenseful. If you like historical fiction with a strong woman lead who has a knack for disappearing just when the Gestapo thinks they’ve got her in a corner, you will love this book!

[Lauren Wilkinson]

Nancy Wake by Kit Sergeant is an exceptional work of historical fiction that brings to life the extraordinary true story of one of World War II’s most formidable women. From the very first pages, the novel immerses you in a world of danger, resistance, and quiet courage.

Nancy is the kind of person we all hope we would be in the face of unimaginable trials—fearless, quick-witted, and unwavering in her convictions. Her story unfolds with a sense of urgency and purpose, supported by a vivid cast of characters who each add depth and humanity to the narrative.

Kit crafts the story with a balance of tension and emotion, making it feel both epic in scope and deeply personal. The resilience and fortitude displayed throughout the novel are nothing short of inspiring, and the pacing keeps you fully engaged from beginning to end.

This is more than just a wartime story—it’s a powerful reminder of strength, sacrifice, and the extraordinary impact one person can have in the darkest of times.

[Angie]

This was a thrilling read, fast-paced and suspenseful, and Nancy was a courageous heroine. Coming from such humble origins, she could have simply settled into a life of leisure after marrying a wealthy man. Instead, she used much of his money unselfishly and risked her life to save strangers from the Nazis. Later, when her life was in danger and she was forced to flee, she could have chosen to spend the rest of the war in safety. Instead, she changed tactics and found a way to help get rid of the Nazis. And all the while she kept her sense of fashion. Like many accounts from WWII, this one was bittersweet, but it is definitely worth a read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially about WWII and/or strong women.

[Jennifer Speidel]

The White Mouse

I’ve read several of Kit’s books and each one is brought to life by her beautiful storytelling. Nancy Wake was an extraordinary woman and Kit’s writing brings the reader right there beside Nancy. The true events, the actual heroes of the resistance, the descriptions of the battles - all come together through Kit’s skillful storytelling. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the Women Spies series.

[Rebecca Gaddy]

outstanding

This is one of my favorite WWII books, and I’ve read many. I like the spotlight on how women heralded the missions in France & England. Nancy’s many travels and lessons served her well. The names of resistance leaders & variations on their “missions” is consistent with other books I’ve read, making the history believable.

[Zofia von Huck]

I really enjoyed this true story about Nancy Wake. The writing style strikes just the right balance of show and tell. The narrative tackles some serious events in a respectful and relatable way. This story is one in a series of books about WWII women, and I am interested in reading the others.

[Teri M Brown]

I love a good historical fiction and can't resist the historical fiction when the story centers on a real-life woman! Nancy Wake by Kit Sergeant checks all my boxes!

Nancy is a woman who sees Hitler's atrocities, and rather than turn away, she determines to do what she can to stop him. Because Nancy is married to a wealthy man, she has the money and connections to help the Resistance when Northern France is under siege. She gathers food and clothing, she passes information, and eventually, she begins helping escaped prisoners find their way back to England.

But what will happen when France falls? Will 'The White Mouse' be able to continue to evade capture? Will her husband? And what will be her role?

I was captivated by Nancy and her dedication to the cause - even at the expense of her own health and safety. If you love a good WWII historical fiction with a strong women characters, then this is definitely the book for you!