Michael O'Rourke

Michael O'Rourke was born in Staffordshire. He has many eclectic hobbies and interests. His  writing style is unusual as he takes serious subjects and gives them a lighter, more comedic touch without losing the underlying serious essence of the story.

His first book BLACK EYES AND BLUE BLOOD was a top seller in its genre (True Crime) and is now selling for more than its original published price over a decade ago. This true story of Norman Johnson is now regarded as a 'British gangster classic'. With no vainglorious violence, it was painstakingly put together with eyewitness accuracy, and depicts the halcyon days of the underworld in Britain and the United States when mobsters ruled the roost.

Next was LIFE IN THE FAZ LANE; the amazing, true life account of notorious, international con man and fraudster Faisal Madani, whose illegal activities prompted changes in the statute laws in Britain. He was an international smuggler, worked with the British secret service, had a stable of premier league footballers working for him and faced a daily battle fending off the 'Old Bill'. The book contains a healthy dose of serious anecdotes, but with laughs a-plenty and a plethora of tales of his many court appearances, the book is great entertainment.

in 2019, Michael collaborated with his friend and legendary bookie and gambler GARY WILTSHIRE for his third offering. A roller coaster ride from Britain's most famous TV bookmaker. Big Gary bares his soul in ANGELS, TEARS AND SINNERS. From the famous occasion he lost over a million pounds in a single day, right through to the present. Both hilarious and heart-rending, this is a fascinating insight into the mind of the peoples' favourite bookie. The fascinating, bitter-sweet tale of a genial, but occasionally troubled man.

Michael's fourth literary excursion is called CHEF ON THE RUN, due out in May 2020. The triumphs and travails of TV celebrity chef SIDNEY SHARRATT. The man has seen more death and destruction than any serving soldier in Her Majesty's forces. Sid had a unique knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time for most of his life as a young man. He has used up his nine lives - and more - as he plied his trade in some of the most dangerous countries in the world. Along the way there were many laughs and humorous tales. Sid always came out smelling of roses. He met many 'A-listers' on his travels including the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, Kirk Douglas and Bob Dylan to name a but few. Probably the most amazing true life account ever written.

Out now for 2025, book number five is entitled WORKING CLASS MILLIONAIRES. This is the true story of Staffordshire's finest sons, Mr Micky O'Rourke and Mr Elgin Hounds. This story features their exciting scrapes, scams, arrests, exploits and adventures spread over two continents that only a very few men would attempt to pull off. Rest assured, this is a cracking 'rags to riches' tale.