The White Mouse is historical fiction and based on the real life exploits of Australian Nancy Wake during World War II. Wake was responsible for setting up a successful escape network around Marseille, France at the beginning of the war. She fled France and began working for Great Britain's Special Operations Executive during the invasion of Normandy. Wake succeeded in making the Auvergne Maquis a remarkable fighting force and did great harm to German Wehrmacht forces attempting to aid their coastal defences. For her remarkable efforts, Wake became the most decorated female officer in the British military during the war. She died in London in 2011 at the age of 98.