The Israelis are not happy when an engineering design goes wrong – and Callan and Meres need to protect the unfortunate engineer…

Time for Callan to get some of the location filming that was basically not feasible for the original series, as Hunter sends Callan and Meres to a holiday island to ensure that Israeli agency Shin Bet doesn’t take vengeance against the wrong person. It’s a solid story that begins with the mickey being taken out of Meres over his failing Alfa Romeo (“not all of us can afford Rolls Royces,” he complains to Hunter), and sees Callan on the wrong end of a Purdey shotgun.

Tam Williams’ Meres doesn’t quite have the sadistic side evident that James Mitchell emphasised in the printed Callan stories, but he works effectively enough within the confines of this story. Mark Elstob is unrecognisable as the villain of the piece as Steve Foxon’s sound design transports us to the Costa del Plonka (a shame that Lonely couldn’t come along). Sam Clemens ensures that the visual side of the story is clear to the listener, particularly in the fight scenes – Ben Miles sells Callan’s world-weariness about the attacks he goes through very well.

Verdict: Another strong return to the world of the Cold War. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order Volume 2 from Big Finish

And here for our previous Callan reviews