​His stories inevitably include romance, but usually an element of intrigue whether murder mysteries, crime, or politics, and sometimes all three. They often include gentle humour reflecting life’s teasing which Mike believes tests us all to find a way out of adversity. So Mike often uses playful banter to balance out the rigid structures that his characters encounter. He uses his fast paced Irish wit to craft entertaining conversations among his characters which keeps the tone light despite the sometimes darker plots. Most of his stand alone novels have an Irish lead character and are often set in Ireland.

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Mike has written a biography reviewing Edward Gayer, his great grandfather who was  owner editor of The Sligo Champion, an Irish newspaper which is still published today. Edward was an Irish-American who returned home at the time of the ‘Land Wars’ to develop the paper into a nationalist outlet of some controversy and acclaim. He was the first of the Traversers being charged with sedition by the British Government. Due to the efforts of a young lawyer (later Solicitor General for Ireland) paid for by the Parnellites, he was found not guilty. Edward’s  speeches at Land War rallies were later used by the defence in the Parnell Trials in London. It was his great grandfather’s literary skills and public speeches that spurred Mike to pursue his own writing. 

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The O’Sullivan side of Mike‘s family is also equally inspiring with General Michael Collins, who roused the people to fight for Irish independence from Britain and negotiated the peace treaty with Winston Churchill, being a relative. The O’Sullivan family marriages also probably provide the relationship link between General Collins and JFK’s ancestors from Clonakilty.

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Mike develops his storytelling themes in short philosophical or humorous sketches too, which are published in themed volumes within a new genre he calls Skibbereens. He says writing short stories and poetry provides him with a route for quick release of ideas, attitudes and sometimes humour. Themed collections of Mike’s poetry are published from time to time as well.

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His first book was a business book on credit management published by Adison Wesley. It  shows how competitive advantage can be achieved through a strategic view of credit management’s role in the company.  His more recent second business book, 3D Management Revolution, promotes a new approach to business development, putting people – the workforce and customers,  not finance -  at the centre of drive for strategic gain. It promotes a radical approach to work and a new lifestyle for the future.

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But Mike’s main work is fiction, and he has more in the pipeline:-

 

Novels in the pipeline

Castle in the Wind                                      Romance set in Ireland 1875-1906  

    

Monique                                                                Coming of age set in 1970s London

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The Office in Half Moon Street                       Business romance set in the music industry London 1969                                                              

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Drawers of Sin                                                     Contemporary romp in the Pennine Hills    

                         

The El Mir Contract                                            Business conspiracy in the oil industry – in editing

 

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Skibbereens

Politics and War Volume

Work and Hollywood Volume