Target Echo

Wolf Six #3

by Alex Shaw

The BRAND NEW title in the gripping, high-octane Wolf Six series from Alex Shaw. A must-read for fans of James Swallow and Stephen Leather 💥📚 'No-one builds tension like Alex Shaw' - Humphrey Hawksley

Elite Ukrainian assassin Ruslan Akulov, aka Wolf Six, is a ghost. A weapon for hire forged in the fires of conflict and tempered by experience. Known by both the underworld and international intelligence agencies, he works alone, guided only by the next mission and his unwavering commitment to his personal kill code.

So when a routine contract in Argentina turns from simple to chaotic in the squeeze of a trigger, Akulov is thrown into a complex web of deceit and dangerous tests of loyalty. Akulov had heard of the French intelligence operative Sophie Racine – her reputation and skills are world-class, but when her business becomes his problem, Wolf Six must quickly learn to work with others.

Thrust into a high-stakes partnership with Racine and an old comrade he believed was dead, Wolf Six must stop a deadly conspiracy to reignite a defunct Basque terrorist movement. The ‘explosive’ trail leads from the turbulent streets of Buenos Aires, via the Columbian cartels, to the elegant boulevards of Madrid.

Akulov and his allies must stop a new wave of terror attacks before countless innocent lives are lost…

Buckle up for an explosive read you won't be able to put down! 💥

Praise for Alex

‘Another excellent stripped-back, razor-edge thriller from Alex Shaw’ - New York Times bestselling author James Swallow

'Shaw knows how to write an action-packed thriller and his latest is no exception. Fans of Eisler, Greaney or Wood, craving their next fix of deadly assassin action should reach for Wolf Six, the first in an explosive, brand new series. It’s seriously good.' - Matt Hilton

'An action-packed page-turner, rounded out with doses of realpolitik and melancholy for what can be lost. I was gripped' - Antony Johnston

'Wolf Six is a stunning piece of work. No-one builds tension like Alex Shaw. In the field of high-stakes international intrigue, Shaw knows his stuff and is at the top of his game.' - Humphrey Hawksley

'Wolf Six keeps you raving for Akulov to escape the most harrowing situations and come out at the top when all odds are stacked against him. It’s bold, strong, and unforgiving in its violent nature and an unnerving mission to entertain you.' Kashif Hussain - Best Thriller Books

‘Compelling and authentic. An explosive new series with an uncompromising hero’ Tom Wood

‘Alex Shaw is one of the best thriller writers around!’ Stephen Leather

‘Alex Shaw is a master of the action thriller. Grabbed me from the first page and never let go’ Michael Ridpath

‘A perfect blend of spy fiction and political thriller’ Matt Lynn

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 2, 2026

About the author

ALEX SHAW B.A.(Hons), P.G.C.E. spent the second half of the 1990s in Kyiv, Ukraine, teaching Drama and running his own business consultancy before being head-hunted for a division of Siemens. The next few years saw him doing business for the company across the former USSR, the Middle East, and Africa.
Alex is an active member of the ITW (The International Thriller Writers organisation) and the CWA (the Crime Writers Association). He is the author of the #1 International Kindle Bestselling 'Aidan Snow SAS thrillers' HETMAN & COLD BLACK and the new DELTA FORCE VAMPIRE series of books. His writing has also been published in the thriller anthologies DEATH TOLL, DEATH TOLL 2 and ACTION PULSE POUNDING TALES 2 alongside International Bestselling authors Stephen Leather and Matt Hilton. DANGEROUS, DEADLY, ELITE - The third Aidan Snow Thriller will be available in October 2014.

COLD BLACK is commercially published by ENDEAVOUR PRESS.

Alex, his wife and their two sons divide their time between homes in Kyiv, Ukraine and Worthing, England. Alex can be contacted via his website www.alexwshaw.com You can also follow Alex on twitter: @alexshawhetman

Reviews

[Emerald Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

For one of the most feared assassins in the world, his contracts go wrong a lot but you know everything generally works out for him in the end. Target Echo is the third book in this series but they are very readable as standalone novels.

In Target Echo, we see Wolf Six team up with a former werewolf brother, a French DGSE operative and his 'friends' in the CIA as the fallout of the contract in Argentina brings them through Colombia and to Europe. The Basque region is not one that comes up often in media but I watched Hidden Assets over the holidays which is set between Ireland and Bilbao. So it was interesting to see it part of the book.

Target Echo is a fast paced thriller, lots of violence but not over the top on the gore. I was hoping for a spicy scene between Wolf and Sophie that never came but I guess that is unsurprising since even after everything with his handler, they are still not together. An enjoyable but quick read.

Thanks for the advance copy for review from Boldwood Books through Netgalley.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Target Echo is a cracker of a read. Alex Shaw writes great thrillers with characters you just take to heart and root for. Here Akulov takes on a contract and sees someone from his past who he believed to be dead. The story is very well written and entertaining and I think the plot line is all too believeable in todays world. I love the different country settings and think the inclusion of one of this authors other characters really worked well here and makes this a very compelling read. There are many multi layered plot threads that grabbed and held my attention and kept me guessing. It is good to see another side to Akulov, he comes across as a little more human here - unlike his nickname - just as long as he doesnt let his guard down and get himself killed!

If you like thrillers that are full of suspense and tension then this is a perfect read for you and I'd recommend it. If you're new to this author and series though you need to read the previous books to know the character from the beginning. Really looking forward to the next book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akulov, known by reputation as Wolf Six, is a Ukrainian sniper/assassin trained with a group of others, known as the Wolf brotherhood, to kill on contract. His record is flawless and he is equally feared, respected and admired within the world's network of nefarious operatives and less than upright leaders.
When he accepts a job in Argentina and it ends up going off the rails a bit, he is thrown into a hunt for the remaining notorious family member who escaped alive. Meeting up with a brother Wolf, whom he believed was,dead, is an unexpected bonus to the job.
Riveting action and terrific characters who are so well defined they are standing right in front of you.
Shaw has produced another five gold star winner.
Ready for the next edition, please.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️Spoiler Free Review✨️

Thanks to @netgalley @alexshawthrillerwriter & @theboldbookclub for the ARC.

This is the 3rd book in the #WolfSix series & I can truly say, with hand on heart, that this is the BEST one yet! It was, in a nutshell, WOW!
It had everything that I have come to expect in an international assassin story and I really loved the evolution of Ruslan Akulov & how we are starting to see glimmers of the man behind the assassin. This was fast paced, full of intrigue, corruption, & manipulation that flits from Dubai, America, Argentina, Colombia & Spain.
I would definitely recommend this series to anyone, you won't be disappointed!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 3rd book in the Wolf Six series, Ukrainian Ruslan Akulov(aka Wolf Six) has to team up to stop a terrorist attack in Spain. First, he must help a former(supposedly dead) Werewolf rescue his wife and son. Plenty of action, cast of characters, with the help of Sophie Racine(French intelligence operative) and the CIA, it is a thrill ride to the finish. From Argentina to Spain, the bullets fly in this action-packed thriller.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of the book and is due out on Feb. 2, 2026.

[Blessing Okwuofu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Target Echo by Alex Shaw is the 3rd book in the Wolf Six series, but can be read a standalone. I have not read the previous books, but I could still enjoy this one. Target Echo is a fast-paced action thriller, involving assassins, espionage and terrorism. It started out on an intriguing note and the action didn't let down throughout the book. The terrorism part was a little murky in my opinion, but overall a good thriller.
I got the ARC from Boldwood Books via Netgalley. This is my honest review

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the excellent series featuring Ruslan Akulov, aka Wolf Six, an independent assassin. The story grips you right from the start and is fast paced all the way through. Highly entertaining, well-written and a very quick read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.