The Stollenberg Legacy

by Brian Callison

From the acclaimed author of A Flock of Ships, Ferry Down and the Trapp series comes a spellbinding new tale of maritime adventure and a fifty-year-old mystery. The myth of the Stollenberg convoy is one of the most enduring of World War II. As the Third Reich crumbled, orders were sent out from Berlin to hide the countless art treasures looted from all over Europe. According to the myth, the most precious item was entrusted to an SS colonel, Manfred Stollenberg, but it never reached its destination. Ever since, rumours of the treasure's whereabouts have fascinated military historians and treasure hunters alike. Merchant sailor Michael Kyle first hears the story from flatmate Dr David McDonald, a historian obsessed with the case. When Kyle returns from sea only for McDonald to die in an unusual accident, he refuses to believe the official explanation. The more he looks into the recent activities of his old friend, the more convinced he becomes that there is a connection with the Stollenberg myth - and that his own life is in grave danger.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Brian Callison was a British novelist known for his best-selling thrillers and sea stories. Born in Manchester, England in 1934, he was educated at the High School of Dundee, and went to sea at the age of 16 as an apprentice with the Blue Funnel Line, sailing aboard cargo ships between ports in Europe and East Asia. Callison subsequently studied at Dundee College of Art in Scotland, and went into business. His first published novel, A Flock of Ships, appeared in 1970. In 2008 he completed a three-year appointment as a Fellow of The Royal Literary Fund at the University of Dundee, mentoring staff and students in all aspects of practical writing.
Callison died in Dundee on 5 February 2024, at the age of 89.

Reviews

[Warren S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this author's works for a few years. I believe this was his last published work and it is also the last one to cross my path. I will need to locate a new author to fill this void in my future reading.

I loved this story because it has my three key elements for a great story: nautical, a mystery, and a there is a war or military connection. This work blended these elements into an intriguing tale. I happen to know the author does not plot his books before he starts writing which astounds me when the story lines are so complex and interwoven.

The author's maritime career allows him to create very authentic shipboard characters and settings. I place this story in Mr. Callison's top five and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good nautical yarn with believable characters and a life and death situations.

[Bernard Fredericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a keen follower of this writer’s publications. His merchant marine officer’s background and personal high-seas history gives his work authenticity, and his skilled creative-writing ability to work a plot, ensures I keep on buying his books as they come off the presses -more or less.
PLAGUE OF SAILORS was my first introduction to his scripts (and no, I haven’t read them all -yet.)
I’ve selected THE STOLLENBERG LEGACY because its my most recent read. My interest lies in his many and varied sea-borne storylines.
* His particular and informative anecdotal insertion style of writing.
* The pace of these tale is a great attraction.
* The break-up of chapters into sub-sections of boxed and direct subjective attention.
* Frequent, colourful and interesting additional chatty dialogue between characters.
Sum it up by saying that reading his list of works is both satisfying and rewarding. and as long as Brian Callison keeps on writing ‘em, -I will continue to purchase and enjoy reading ‘em!

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 2 out of 5]

No question there's naval expertise.
The writing style would appeal to those who like terse.