The Gypsy Code: The true story of a violent game of hide and seek at the fringes of society by Mike Woodhouse

The Gypsy Code: The true story of a violent game of hide and seek at the fringes of society by Mike Woodhouse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mike Woodhouse had everything: 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 . . .

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.