SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE LEFT TURN

I wasn’t a criminal of the common variety. I didn’t deal in drugs, guns, or people. I was a Herald of Prohibited Articles. I got certain types of property from A to B—or F, if needed. I got into it over a cocktail, and I stayed in it for the adrenaline, the eclectic clientele, and a shit-ton of money.

This is Book One:Join me at the start of a three-part journey 

The life I lived would have made the Pope rethink his vocation. From untraceable diamonds and bearer bonds to globe-hopping and misplaced priceless art, I operated in the shadows by following Six Strict Rules:

  • Rule One: No Flash. Blend into ever surrounding that is needed.
  • Rule Two: Be on Time. Five minutes early is on time; on time is late.
  • Rule Three: Plausible Deniability. If you don’t know, you can’t tell.
  • Rule Four: No Ego. You think you’re smarter than the “System,” you’re dead.
  • Rule Five: The Exit. Always know your exit from a country, a contract, or a place.
  • Rule Six: Don’t be greedy. Never double-book yourself.

There was one constant pain in my arse for fifteen years: a lovely Interpol agent who seemed to have a hard-on for me. She was the only one who could keep up, but in that game, I was to blame.

It’s highly possible you might hate me by the end—if you even last that long—or you could love me unconditionally. I was always Marmite that way.

The job is simple. The life is anything but. What a ride.

About the Author

Noel Ryan grew up in Ireland, a place that provided the foundation for a lifetime of stories, though his curiosity was always focused on the horizon.

At twenty-one, Noel set out from home to begin a decades-long journey across the globe. Reaching 3 continents Over the years, he has moved through the same international circles, high-end bars, and transient spaces that define the world of his writing—returning to Ireland for stints between travels, but always drawn back to the pulse of the world’s major hubs.

Having spent a lifetime observing the elite from the inside out, Noel writes with the sharp eye of a man who knows exactly what happens behind closed doors when the right price is met.

Should Have Taken the Left Turn is the first installment of an explosive new trilogy following the exploits and the meteoric rise of its protagonist.

Valuing his privacy as much as a well-told secret, Noel writes from the Mediterranean coast. By keeping his own life out of the frame, he ensures the focus stays entirely on the page, allowing the narrator to lead while he remains a silent observer in the distance

The Soundtrack to Should have taken the left turn.

They say life has a soundtrack—My old life certainly did . Here is the official music companion to the novel.

I’ve always found that the right song can define a moment better than words ever could in some respects. Because the life I’m describing moves through so many different worlds, this is an intentionally eclectic playlist. You won’t find a single genre here, because a job didn´t stay in one lane.

Each track corresponds to a specific  name of a chapter, curated to capture the shifting moods of the journey

Whether it’s the tension of a high-stakes delivery or the quiet reflection of a fleeting minute seeing your reflection in a mirror, these songs are the heartbeat of every move made and every risk taken. 

It’s the ultimate thriller reading playlist.

Listen while you read to fully immerse yourself in the scene, or hit play now to get a taste of the life before the launch

click to listen to the playlist here

Prologue – ME, Myself and I

Whoever said crime doesn’t pay clearly partook in the wrong criminal activities. To be honest, it does pay—very fucking well.

I wouldn’t call myself a criminal of the common variety. I didn’t deal in drugs, guns, or people. I would describe myself as—among other things—a herald of prohibited articles. That would best suit my vocation. I get certain types of property from A to B, or F if needed. It all depends on the client. There’s no university course where you learn the skills of my profession, and you can’t get a certificate online. I got into it over a cocktail.

I’m not going to tire you with my life story. The first twenty-four years bore even me to think about. Who the fuck wants to hear about my first steps or my first sexual endeavours? No one.

I’m going to enthral you with my escapades over the last fifteen years. I’ve been involved with all the usual suspects: sex, drugs, booze, double-crosses, cigarettes, women, money, and lost love—and some very unexpected ones, such as diamonds, government black ops, bearer bonds, globe-hopping, and misplaced priceless art. I have had to do some things that wouldn’t make a mother proud, but… the life I’ve lived would make the Pope want to rethink his vocation.

I gained a reputation with an eclectic clientele. Thanks to them, I made a shit-ton of money and travelled the world too many times to count. I met some of the most colourful, but deranged, people on the planet. There have been some complete scumbags who liked the idea of being “gangstas”—we never took their contracts, too much trouble. I’ve made a few enemies along the way, but it comes with the territory.

There’s been one constant pain in my ass for the last fifteen years or so. I just can’t seem to get rid of her: a lovely Interpol agent who seems to have a hard-on for me. With the amount of shit I’ve seen and done, I should come with a public health warning.

It’s highly possible you might hate me by the end of the book—or halfway through—or you could love me unconditionally. I’m Marmite that way.

It’s been my life and my choices, whether good or highly questionable……

WANT TO READ MORE? or NOT Sure Yet?

click here to read the next three chapter 

But to get the full story of the double-crosses, diamonds, and the lovely Interpol agent click the amazon button below…..

CONTACT

General Inquiries

For any questions regarding the world of Should Have Taken the Left Turn, or if you just want to share your thoughts on the journey so far, please reach out. We love hearing from readers and fellow travellers.

Media & Rights

We are currently open to discussions regarding media kits, interview requests, and subsidiary rights (including film, television, and international translations). To ensure your inquiry is prioritised and routed correctly, please use the dedicated contact below.

Contact Information