Magdalena von Herff barely knows what name to use before men begin to exploit her beauty, intelligence, and talents, but she soon realises that none are there to help her, except perhaps one-her enemy. Becoming Helen is a 1930s tale of deceit, disillusionment, and retribution after a British Intelligence Officer compromises a young German girl into spying on her own country, expecting her to lie, cheat and bed chosen German military targets for the Allied cause. Set in Europe when the world was tilting toward total war the novel asks what choices did Magdalena have other than to become Helen?