More great news from Mike Ripley and those great people at Ostara Publishing. Almost half a century after he first electrified British television screens in the “one-off” drama A Magnum for Schneider, the enigmatic, ruthless and tragic hero David Callan (so memorably portrayed by Edward Woodward) is back in a new anthology, Callan Uncovered, published as an Ostara Original simultaneously as a hardback, trade paperback and eBook.
The 24 stories, written by Callan creator James Mitchell (1926-2002), appeared in the Sunday Express newspaper between 1973 and 1976 and have never been published in book form before. Along with the first Callan story written for the TV Times in 1967, they form the basis of Callan Uncovered, along with an original treatment for an episode of the TV series, a previously unseen complete script that was never filmed, and an introduction by James Mitchell’s son Peter.
Ostara editor Mike Ripley spent the best part of a year tracking down the stories for the collection, with the help of the British Library and a network of die-hard Callan fans. The story of “uncovering Callan” has been posted on the Ostara website along with details of James Mitchell books now back in print as Top Notch Thrillers, at www.ostarapublishing.co.uk/
A review of this book will be appearing here at Fedora very, very shortly.
Tipping My Fedora 
I’ve no real experience of this series, though I’ve often meant to check it out. The book sounds interesting; I look forward to the review.
Just got the review copy in today so hope to have something to say fairly soon – it’s a fantastic show Colin. If you loved Sandbaggers, you’ll love this.
Maybe when the next Network sale comes around I’ll indulge.
Definitely worth it – and actually very reasonably priced even when not on sale.
Yes, but I’m a cheap person! 🙂
The only way to be in this day and age my son 🙂
I’m very tempted…
Let me lend you a couple and see what you make of it 🙂
Oh I like the look of it OK, but time to watch it and cash to buy it are the only things putting me off just now. There’s usually a sale on this stuff round the end of the year, and that timing suits me well.
🙂
Great news
Got me very excited!
(hit the enter button before I could say:) I read the novels in my teens, but never saw these – looking forward to the book (and your review!)
Thansk Karen – think we’re all a bit excited!
A new writer and series (for me) is always welcome, Sergio.
Mitchell was very prolific – I think you’d like his stuff a lot Prashant.
Oh, this is terrific news, Sergio! Thanks for sharing.
My very great pleasure Margot – review coming as soon as I get a look at it!
Callan remains the greatest TV spy series of all time. I’ll have to keep a lookout for the book.
I do love the show – can’t wait to get stuck int ot his book.
Brilliant. Grateful thanks to you, Mike Ripley (you, too Rob Fairclough).
Just going to start looking at my copy now in fact …
Very interesting news – I loved that series as a young person….
It’s still great Moira!
That is great news, Sergio. I want to try the novels too.
Well worth getting TracyK – if you like 1960s le Carre and Deighton, you should also really like these!
Interesting to hear about these. I never read the stories from the page, but I was totally hooked on the TV series and watch it occasionally still – the production values are showing their age, but the cynicism is undimmed and the lightbulb credits still perfect.
Great title sequence, I agree
Though you mentioned an ebook version , I couldn’t locate it anywhere in the internet. Only the hardback and paperback editions seem to be available, both costly.
Looks like it’s not there yet Santosh, you are quite right – but editor Mike Ripley promises that it soon will be though!