I loved this book so much! Which is kind of crazy because I considered DNFing it in the second chapter. It starts like you’re in the middle of a book. I looked twice to make sure it wasn’t a second book in a series because it felt like I was supposed to understand what was happening. I’m SO GLAD I didn’t give up.

This book follows Murphy Shepherd, an agent who tracks down girls and women who have been kidnapped into sex trafficking. Murphy works off the Florida coast where super yachts are used to transport stolen girls to the Caribbean where they are sold to the highest bidder.

While Murphy is making a trip down the coast for personal reasons, he meets Summer, a mom who is trying to find her runaway 15 year old daughter, Angel. As Murphy and Summer search for Angel, they take on various strays on their boat: a lost dog, a young teen girl trying to discover information about her biological mom and an 80 year old black man who has just been released from a 60 year prison sentence for killing a white man who was sexually assaulting his wife.

Murphy has his own demons he’s trying to outrun and this group of stragglers cause him to consider opening up his heart again to new friends. All while tracking and fighting the evil organization that is trafficking along the coast.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Murphy Shepherd is an example of the saying "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". Life has handed him many challenges, he's won a few and lost some very important ones. Murph has retreated to an island off the Florida coast where he is isolated from those who have hurt him. But Murph cannot turn off that piece of his mind that insists he rescue those who need his help and rid the world of those who have no conscience. His life begins to twist again when he meets a young woman in trouble and later meets her mother, who's just trying to save her daughter.

I've read several of Charles Martin's books and am always surprised when I fall into the stories, only to "see" the characters and their stories. Martin's skillful descriptions of the Florida scenery give excellent display to the ever changing coastal waters. I listened to THE WATER KEEPER on audio book and was swept away by the narrator's reading. Reading or listening, it's a 5 star experience.

This book seemed to take forever for me to finish. I tried listening to the Audiobook version and it kept losing my interest, then I picked up the ebook and the same thing happened. I kept putting it down and switching to other books. This obviously means the book was not in the top 5 for me.

The book itself isn't awful but it really couldn't keep my attention especially in audio format.

Murph is a mysterious man with a past, who lives and works in a chapel in Florida. That premise actually sounds cool right, but that's where things kind of go astray. Everything happens in weird coincidences. Murph meets Angel who he gives his card to, and then her mom Summer he meets in a boating accident where he saves her, picks up Gunner and happens on his owner in a field. I can go on with the coincidences but I'll just leave it at they are rather unbelievable.

It was silly at times too for me since I know I rolled my eyes at least once and more like 10 times. Murph gets stabbed, punched and shot multiple times and manages to walk away every time with very little intervention....yeah okaaaay.

Some may like it, I wasn't a fan.

I am not sure the last time a book wrecked me like The Water Keeper did. It was deep, well written, heart breaking & redemptive. Murphys line of work and his story will cut your to the core & not be fully put back together, as it ends in a cliff hanger. Charles Martin is a fabulous story teller & I cant wait to dive into the next 3 books.

**Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for giving me a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts!**

This book was good! It had some pacing issues, and I found the first parts to be really boring. The action definitely picks up, though, and the plot twists had my jaw hanging open. I think The Water Keeper is just a little too long, and quite a bit of the first half could probably be cut. But I loved the Christian themes and the life lessons, and I am glad I read this book.

2025
“Love fills the empty places and flows from what was once the epicenter of the wound. And it’s the flowing that washes out the residue of the pain and makes us whole again. That’s the crazy miracle that is love. The more you pour out, the more you have to pour. I don’t understand it, I just know it’s true.”

I had never read anything by Charles Martin before and it will definitely not be the last time. This story was unputdownable. Martin’s writing is incredible and Murph is a completely tough, intelligent, courageous character. The adventure they went on was insane! I can’t imagine what Angel and the other girls went through. I also can’t imagine being one of the people who catch the scum human traffickers. Murph’s backstory was heartbreaking and I really hope he finds happiness. With his line of work he does so much good. This was a beautiful book that focused on God’s love and forgiveness and second chances. There were some very difficult situations that truly made my heart sad but the story was well worth the read and I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the series

Captivating book for sure! A few scenarios in the book definitely made it seem like the fiction book that it is, but overall a great read and one that leaves you begging for the sequel!

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin, the book is about Murphy Shepherd, Murph to his friends who grew up on the water in his recently lost his mentor Fingers. despite his unfortunate name he taught Murph everything he needed to know and more. Murph lived his life helping out the downtrodden and in this book that is exactly what he does with Summer. her daughter Angel has gotten caught up with the wrong people and have bad things in store for her. Unless Murph and summer can find them first. This isn’t Murph‘s first time looking for someone lost in his tattoo on his back is a testament to that he runs across interesting people and even finds a labrador swimming in the ditch. Although a lot of things happen coincidentally I am one of those people who love books like that and absolutely loved this one. I have the Kindle version and the audio version narrated by Jonathan T Riggs and he is so authentically Floridian it almost sounds like a nonfiction book. I would recommend either one because both or action packed entertaining and leaves you with such a great feeling. I can’t wait to read the next book in this fabulous new series. #NetGalley, #HonestReview, #TheBlindreviewer, #CharlesMartin, #TheWaterKeeper,#ThomasNelsonAndZandoPress,

This book had all the right elements! A love story full of of tragedy and pain that ended with redemption and fulfillment. A mystery and thriller, solved just in time. A main character that was lovable and made you root for throughout. Highly recommend this read, with a perfect amount of faith and religion mixed in. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Wow. Charles Martin has done it again! His books are just so beautifully written. I have read several of them and I have not been disappointed yet. The Water Keeper is no exception, just like the rest, I could not wait to read every day, I like to take my time and savior the story, so I read only a little bit every day until I finish. I spent most of my childhood growing up in Florida and I loved the familiarity of so many places he mentioned.

The Water Keeper is book 1 in a series of 4. I usually am not one to read a series, but I would read anything written by Charles Martin. Now, on to The Letter Keeper.

Thank you, Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, for the opportunity to read this book. Thank you, Charles Martin for all your beautiful stories.

So, so, SO good!!! Charles Martin might just be my favorite author. He has such a way with writing stories. His books make me feel all the feels, and this one was no different. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

So, so, SO good!!! Charles Martin might just be my favorite author. He has such a way with writing stories. His books make me feel all the feels, and this one was no different. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Liked:
- As the novel progressed, there were a few characters that joined Murphy Shepherd and became involved in finding Angel, a teenager allured by flesh dealers: people who sell and buy people. It's basically slavery. I liked the idea of a group of people, each with their own story, joining the mission, but having their personal reasons as well.
- The dog
- Cliche or not, there are some good quotes throughout the novel
- The idea that love is stronger than many failings and mistakes
- The idea that we all need a saviour. However, I would have liked to see this point made by pointing to God, not that much to a mere man. It is, after all, what we were all made to crave: a love that doesn't stop being poured over us, no matter what we do.
- Although very heavy, the topic is relevant. I learned things I didn't know about human trafficking and how the men involved in this operated. It might be uncomfortable to read, but to think this happens more often than we are even aware is sickening and heartbreaking

Disliked:
- too many coincidences, so that everything works out just fine in the end. Even the scenes where there are fights with the bad guys (the flesh dealers, as they are called) turn out fine. They were not the scenes that kept me turning the pages because despite the many bruises, cuts, shots, or hits the hero receives, he survives and is back on his feet in no time. And he manages just fine with little sleep and little food.
- the convoluted plot - adding more and more layers to the story was a bit too much. The lost wife (two times! but third time's the charm!) and the unknown-of daughter were too much. It's difficult to follow along at times, and I wasn't always sure what was real and what not, especially since we were told in the beginning he was going to scatter his wife's ashes. Turns out, we were reading a page from the novel the main character wrote. A story within a story. It takes a while to figure this out.
- the way Charles Martin portrays women will never cease to irk me: always weak, always in need of a saviour, always so easy to fall for the good-looking, physically strong man, albeit not that emotionally strong. I know Summer was a woman who needed saving, but repeatedly saying she touched him, she kissed him, she wanted to be near him, despite knowing him for few days, was bothersome.
- the man who is a saviour. I know that Murphy Shepherd is the human potrayal of Jesus Christ, I know this is the point of the novel. However, the only thing it seemed to underline is that a man can be a saviour all on his own. Oh, wait, not really. There's Bones, the man behind the action: he offers help unseen. I know there needs to be someone who saves the women caught in human trafficking, but hammering the invincibility and saviour-like persona of Murphy Shepherd was too much to read.
- there is a lot of description about the course Murphy took in his journey to find Angel. As someone who lives outside US, I didn't care for this, and I surely didn't Google it. In the same vein, all the details about all the boats - over my head & went in one ear and out the other.
- There are many details about many things, a clear sign the author did research, but it felt too much. I wish there wasn't the plot with the daughter or the lost & found (again! and again!) wife. Towards the end I couldn't wait to finish it, but I was still curious. Very possible I'll be reading the other books in the series.

This book was not short on action that's for sure. There seemed to be a lot going on at all times, and while the story was able to hold my attention for the most part, it also seemed to lack focus as well. It felt more about Murphy and Summer's misadventures than what they were rescuing Summer's daughter from. I realize it's a sensitive subject, but I still feel like the story could have been more about the girls. But it still wasn't a bad read overall.

So, so, SO good!!! Charles Martin might just be my favorite author. He has such a way with writing stories. His books make me feel all the feels, and this one was no different. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Charles Martin always does a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

Liked:
- As the novel progressed, there were a few characters that joined Murphy Shepherd and became involved in finding Angel, a teenager allured by flesh dealers: people who sell and buy people. It's basically slavery. I liked the idea of a group of people, each with their own story, joining the mission, but having their personal reasons as well.
- The dog
- Cliche or not, there are some good quotes throughout the novel
- The idea that love is stronger than many failings and mistakes
- The idea that we all need a saviour. However, I would have liked to see this point made by pointing to God, not that much to a mere man. It is, after all, what we were all made to crave: a love that doesn't stop being poured over us, no matter what we do.
- Although very heavy, the topic is relevant. I learned things I didn't know about human trafficking and how the men involved in this operated. It might be uncomfortable to read, but to think this happens more often than we are even aware is sickening and heartbreaking

Disliked:
- too many coincidences, so that everything works out just fine in the end. Even the scenes where there are fights with the bad guys (the flesh dealers, as they are called) turn out fine. They were not the scenes that kept me turning the pages because despite the many bruises, cuts, shots, or hits the hero receives, he survives and is back on his feet in no time. And he manages just fine with little sleep and little food.
- the convoluted plot - adding more and more layers to the story was a bit too much. The lost wife (two times! but third time's the charm!) and the unknown-of daughter were too much. It's difficult to follow along at times, and I wasn't always sure what was real and what not, especially since we were told in the beginning he was going to scatter his wife's ashes. Turns out, we were reading a page from the novel the main character wrote. A story within a story. It takes a while to figure this out.
- the way Charles Martin portrays women will never cease to irk me: always weak, always in need of a saviour, always so easy to fall for the good-looking, physically strong man, albeit not that emotionally strong. I know Summer was a woman who needed saving, but repeatedly saying she touched him, she kissed him, she wanted to be near him, despite knowing him for few days, was bothersome.
- the man who is a saviour. I know that Murphy Shepherd is the human potrayal of Jesus Christ, I know this is the point of the novel. However, the only thing it seemed to underline is that a man can be a saviour all on his own. Oh, wait, not really. There's Bones, the man behind the action: he offers help unseen. I know there needs to be someone who saves the women caught in human trafficking, but hammering the invincibility and saviour-like persona of Murphy Shepherd was too much to read.
- there is a lot of description about the course Murphy took in his journey to find Angel. As someone who lives outside US, I didn't care for this, and I surely didn't Google it. In the same vein, all the details about all the boats - over my head & went in one ear and out the other.
- There are many details about many things, a clear sign the author did research, but it felt too much. I wish there wasn't the plot with the daughter or the lost & found (again! and again!) wife. Towards the end I couldn't wait to finish it, but I was still curious. Very possible I'll be reading the other books in the series.

DNF @ 10%
Really don’t care to learn about the geography of Florida’s waterways etc. Also, I don’t think someone dressed in shorts and a bikini top is considered too ‘provocative’ - especially for Florida.

I wasn't able to finish this book for a variety of reasons. The topic is NOT one of those reasons. I think authors should be tackling topics like human trafficking. Unfortunately, the way this author did it didn't set well with me.

As a Christian publisher, I felt the descriptive writing of the daughter showing herself to the main character and then her mother's lack of clothing in the shower and then in bed were just not necessary and seems like it was added to the story for the provocativeness of it. They both could've stayed dressed and the author could've still gotten the message across.

Then when I finally got to the part where the main character was swearing I just had to close the story and put it aside. I just couldn't handle what felt more like a secular novel than anything Christian. It was disappointing because the storyline was compelling and I actually wanted to finish it, but if I feel like I need to send it through VidAngel to then it's just not for me. I think if this were made into a movie it would get an R rating, which I just don't think is appropriate for those looking for books in the Christian genre.

You may think I'm "prude" for my thoughts on this, but my daughter works as a missionary overseas trying to help with human trafficking and I support friends who work in organizations who are trying to save people out of that life. So, the topic isn't one that I would avoid. It's completely only the added elements that just were not for me.