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The Gypsy Code: The true story of hide-and-seek in a violent underworld
The Gypsy Code is a true story of secret identity, revenge and forbidden love that's perfect for fans of Running with the Firm, Undercover and Soldier Spy.Mike Woodhouse had an engineering business, a wine bar, a home, a Range Rover and a boat. Then he caught a group of travellers stealing from his warehouse. A car chase, petrol bombing and court case later, and everything had changed.A marked man, Mike was forced to leave everything behind and move to the Peak District for a fresh start. But his old life was never far behind and when he fell for Rhoda, a Romany Gypsy, kin to the very people he was hiding from, he knew he wouldn't be safe for much longer . . .
- GenresTrue Crime
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2019
12 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Mike Woodhouse
1 book2 followersBorn in a rural community in North Norfolk in 1970. Worked in over 24 countries in numerous professions including engineer, barman, club dj, whalespotter and vacuum cleaner salesman. Part of that varied lifestyle forms the basis of his first book, 'The Gypsy Code'.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews
April 2, 2019
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4
Mike Woodhouse had it all: an engineering business, a wine bar, a home, a Range Rover and a boat. Then one morning he caught some travellers stealing form his warehouse. This is the point where Mike's life changed. The story is truthfully told: how he petrol bombed travellers caravans, falling for a gypsy woman and living in fear of being recognised by the travellers he had targeted. He tells how he was a wealthy man to being penniless living in a caravan with no electricity or running water. The only faithful companion he has is his beloved dog, Alfie. This memoir tells us how one stupid action can follow you around and have you looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Mike Woodhouse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mike Woodhouse had it all: an engineering business, a wine bar, a home, a Range Rover and a boat. Then one morning he caught some travellers stealing form his warehouse. This is the point where Mike's life changed. The story is truthfully told: how he petrol bombed travellers caravans, falling for a gypsy woman and living in fear of being recognised by the travellers he had targeted. He tells how he was a wealthy man to being penniless living in a caravan with no electricity or running water. The only faithful companion he has is his beloved dog, Alfie. This memoir tells us how one stupid action can follow you around and have you looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Mike Woodhouse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2019
This is an apparently true account of one man’s changing relationship with Gypsies. Mike Woodhouse was a successful man. He was also someone who was far from risk averse, happy to change direction and try new things and make a success of it. An engineer by trade, he had tried his luck at running a nightclub, then when that got too much, threw it in and took a job as a welder before working his way up an engineering company. While there he had his first run in with the Smiths, a troublesome Gypsy clan involved in criminality. Having disturbed a robbery at the company, Mike gave chase and ran them off the road. This sparked a feud that would follow him.
Mike moved away and started his own business, but the Smiths were never far away. A passionate rugby man and unafraid to use his fists, he was not the kind of guy to back down. He also could call on other like-minded and equally capable people. This was most obvious when local farmers asked him to help drive Gypsies from their land, something he engaged in with gusto. But Mike met Rhoda, a Romany Gypsy, and he fell in love. This was the start of a change in his attitudes, and while still despising the Smiths, he learnt that Gypsy culture is far richer than he had dreamed. This change in attitude was solidified when through a betrayal he ended up losing everything and having no choice but to move in to a trailer with Rhoda, in effect living the Gypsy life himself.
The Gypsy Code is an interesting book, it’s very well written and compelling. Gypsies and travellers are often a source of contention for middle England, their caravans and trailers unwelcome in town’s and villages throughout Britain. Their communities suffer discrimination and exclusion; some are involved in crime and they are disproportionately reflected in the prison population. This book doesn’t shy away from the criminality associated with some members of the community, the Smiths being a thoroughly antisocial family, but equally in the latter part of the narrative the author shows how all-too-often the whole population is tarnished with the same brush.
Unfortunately, he’s not consistent, however. Towards the end of the book, Mike runs a stall at a traveller fare and relates how the Romany gypsies were well dressed, polite and proud, the Irish travellers in tracksuits and troublesome. Is this really the case? All Romany’s are upstanding members of the community while all Irish travellers are criminals? Is he not doing what others do to the community as a whole and if he had fallen in love with an Irish traveller instead of a Romany, would he not perceive things the other way around? That said, this is a biography, not a journalistic account or academic study of gypsy/traveller life, and that was obviously how he perceived things at the time.
Without giving away spoilers, Mike’s earlier activity of fighting with Gypsies and running them off farmer’s land comes back to haunt him, and the book ends on a bitter sweet note. The Gypsy Code is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Well written and moving, it will be interesting to read what the author writes next.
Mike moved away and started his own business, but the Smiths were never far away. A passionate rugby man and unafraid to use his fists, he was not the kind of guy to back down. He also could call on other like-minded and equally capable people. This was most obvious when local farmers asked him to help drive Gypsies from their land, something he engaged in with gusto. But Mike met Rhoda, a Romany Gypsy, and he fell in love. This was the start of a change in his attitudes, and while still despising the Smiths, he learnt that Gypsy culture is far richer than he had dreamed. This change in attitude was solidified when through a betrayal he ended up losing everything and having no choice but to move in to a trailer with Rhoda, in effect living the Gypsy life himself.
The Gypsy Code is an interesting book, it’s very well written and compelling. Gypsies and travellers are often a source of contention for middle England, their caravans and trailers unwelcome in town’s and villages throughout Britain. Their communities suffer discrimination and exclusion; some are involved in crime and they are disproportionately reflected in the prison population. This book doesn’t shy away from the criminality associated with some members of the community, the Smiths being a thoroughly antisocial family, but equally in the latter part of the narrative the author shows how all-too-often the whole population is tarnished with the same brush.
Unfortunately, he’s not consistent, however. Towards the end of the book, Mike runs a stall at a traveller fare and relates how the Romany gypsies were well dressed, polite and proud, the Irish travellers in tracksuits and troublesome. Is this really the case? All Romany’s are upstanding members of the community while all Irish travellers are criminals? Is he not doing what others do to the community as a whole and if he had fallen in love with an Irish traveller instead of a Romany, would he not perceive things the other way around? That said, this is a biography, not a journalistic account or academic study of gypsy/traveller life, and that was obviously how he perceived things at the time.
Without giving away spoilers, Mike’s earlier activity of fighting with Gypsies and running them off farmer’s land comes back to haunt him, and the book ends on a bitter sweet note. The Gypsy Code is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Well written and moving, it will be interesting to read what the author writes next.
August 16, 2019
This book caught my interest as I wanted to learn a bit more about life as a gypsy, but I was left feeling slightly disappointed.It was written very simply and was a very quick read, my favourite character being Alfie the dog! There is love, loyalty and a bit of cultural insight, although just lacking in a bit of emotion. It makes a good holiday read and I would give it 3*. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
July 28, 2021
As a Romany Gypsy myself, I decided to give The Gypsy Code a read. At the start, I felt like Mike didn't understand what the difference was between Gypsies and Pikeys. But as I got further into it, he came to understand it and how Gypsies go through life. To be honest, I actually liked reading this.
April 25, 2019
This is a true story of Mike Woodhouse who seemed to have it all, a successful business and comfortable life until the day he caught a group of Gypsy travellers stealing from his warehouse. He then sets about a vigilante style revenge with some like minded friends and gets himself into some dangerous situations that eventually lead to him loosing everything he has built up and a life living in fear.
His hardships and decisions he has to make as his life spirals out of control change his perception of the travellers he has been fighting and he learns the consequences of his actions. Honest, gritty and honest even when he portrays himself in an unfavourable light.
Not a fan of his writing style however, it felt at times he was on the verge of turning this into a novel rather than a true story although I think as a novel it would have worked fine. As an insight into this world it worked but seemed to lack emotion for me so only 3 stars for this reason.
His hardships and decisions he has to make as his life spirals out of control change his perception of the travellers he has been fighting and he learns the consequences of his actions. Honest, gritty and honest even when he portrays himself in an unfavourable light.
Not a fan of his writing style however, it felt at times he was on the verge of turning this into a novel rather than a true story although I think as a novel it would have worked fine. As an insight into this world it worked but seemed to lack emotion for me so only 3 stars for this reason.
April 17, 2019
This is a true story of how Mike Woodhouse was against the traveling community, the trouble and mess they caused and the violence that came with them when they illegally moved onto a farmers field. Set in Norfolk,
Mike gave them as good as they gave, by causing them as much disruption as possible. His bugbear was a family named The Smiths who he had many run-ins with.
He was a successful businessman with plenty of money in the bank a nice home a smart car, and a love of playing rugby.
Then he meets Rhoda, a gypsy girl who's father is royalty among the gypsy fraternity and his life changes.
This book is gritty but had me in tears at times at the frustrations they face. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
Mike gave them as good as they gave, by causing them as much disruption as possible. His bugbear was a family named The Smiths who he had many run-ins with.
He was a successful businessman with plenty of money in the bank a nice home a smart car, and a love of playing rugby.
Then he meets Rhoda, a gypsy girl who's father is royalty among the gypsy fraternity and his life changes.
This book is gritty but had me in tears at times at the frustrations they face. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
April 11, 2019
Total rubbish
Bio of man who likes Rugby. Had a few businesses that failed, experienced some anti social behaviour. Could be anyones bio. Except everyone doesn't take to throwing petrol bombs at people's homes without any regard for life. He then fears these people coming after him. I wonder why. Except they don't really come after him apart from getting a few thumps but he is still afraid. That sums it up really. This book is probably one of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to read. Drivel.
Bio of man who likes Rugby. Had a few businesses that failed, experienced some anti social behaviour. Could be anyones bio. Except everyone doesn't take to throwing petrol bombs at people's homes without any regard for life. He then fears these people coming after him. I wonder why. Except they don't really come after him apart from getting a few thumps but he is still afraid. That sums it up really. This book is probably one of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to read. Drivel.
April 27, 2019
A true story about Mike Woodhouse . He had a comfortable life in a small village in Norfolk and has a run in with the travelling community- So much so that he takes matters into his own hands.
Fast forward a few years and Mike meets and falls in love with a traveller girl called Rhoda they make a life together for themselves but then his past comes back to haunt him. So much more to this,
A good and interesting read. Well written
Fast forward a few years and Mike meets and falls in love with a traveller girl called Rhoda they make a life together for themselves but then his past comes back to haunt him. So much more to this,
A good and interesting read. Well written
August 22, 2023
Read this on holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fact the author is from the same city made it even more interesting. I passed the book on to someone who also struggled to put it down. The books gives you a real insight into the travellers way of life and the non-travellers’ perceptions of such a community. It reminds the reader how easy and quickly you can loose your security and material things once you “take your eye off the ball”. Definitely worth a read.
May 10, 2019
I was interested to learn more about the Gypsy life in the UK as I'm new here, and it did teach me a bit, but this guy just seems like a hothead who didn't learn lessons and got himself in trouble. Also, was very simply written but at least a quick read.
June 14, 2019
Fancied a change from the usual Patterson's and Child's so grabbed this in WH Smith at the airport and was definately not disappointed. A true story of love, loyalty, betrayal, redemption and cultural divide that will have you hooked from the first chapter. Excellent read.
June 24, 2019
Interesting read.
A real page turner.
Shame Rhoda left.
Definitely would recommend.
A real page turner.
Shame Rhoda left.
Definitely would recommend.
August 12, 2019
Compelling reading. Loved it from beginning to end.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
November 9, 2019
Piss poor. Got to be the dullest book I've read all year. Certainly the dullest I managed to finish.
January 7, 2020
A brilliant read, couldn't put the book down and read cover to cover over a weekend!
April 30, 2021
Couldn't put this down. A very interesting read into a gypsy lifestyles.
July 24, 2024
A good and insightful read. Seen from a few perspective.
October 12, 2025
Great read how falling in love can change mikes views about gypsy's. karma caught up with him .
May 29, 2019
I read about 20% before I thought you brought anything that happens on yourself and gave up. Not my kind of book!
May 7, 2019
What a fantastic book, I finished this in two days I truly enjoyed reading this book and finding out more about the Gypsy culture the research in making this book is great, I enjoyed reading about the Gypsy way of like and what happens in their community..
The writing was great each chapter has me gripped more and more. This book opened my eyes and gave me knowledge and learnt alot from reading this book would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime or even loves a good read I kind of didn't want the book to in because I was really into it what a good job the writer has done in creating this book it really holds the mind of the reader..
The writing was great each chapter has me gripped more and more. This book opened my eyes and gave me knowledge and learnt alot from reading this book would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime or even loves a good read I kind of didn't want the book to in because I was really into it what a good job the writer has done in creating this book it really holds the mind of the reader..
Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews