A beautiful novel set along Florida's eastern coastline. Intense, intriguing, a real page-turner. Not only a story of human trafficking, but also of a love, loss, and overcoming. Here we have a good set of characters and even better twists and turns to keep you reading long into the night.

To be honest 3.5 to 4 stars. I am such a fan of Charles Martin and have always loved his books. This one however, though filled with heart pounding suspense, just had too much violence for my taste. And at times the story was hard to follow, things were just happening so fast like the pacing was rushed. Maybe it's just me and with the pandemic going on it just wasnt the right book for now. But it still had the ability to extract a few tears and tug on the heartstrings. Maybe I will read it again in the future and react differently.

The needs of the one outweigh the needs of the ninety-nine. Murphy Shepherd has dedicated his life to finding and rescuing those in danger (specifically human trafficking). I would describe the plot as like Taken - if it took place on the East Coast of Florida instead of Europe. The beginning was a bit slow for me as the characters were established, but once the search for Angel began it was a fast-paced action-packed storyline that I couldn’t put down. This wasn’t just about the action, though. The book was beautifully written and explored love, loss, grief, desperation, and leaving the past behind to focus on the future. I absolutely loved this book and its cast of characters.

Charles Martin is an amazing author, so when I saw The Water Keeper on Netgalley, I quickly requested it! And as with all of the Martin books that I have read, it did not disappoint! The Water Keeper is about Murphy Shepherd who lives alone on an island and is dealing with much heartbreak from his past. Murphy is involved in rescuing young women from modern day slavery, which has it's own heartbreak and danger. This is a story of love, friendship, loyalty, the unimaginable way that human beings can treat othe human beings and freedom. A beautiful story that definitely keeps you engaged and turning pages.

This would have been a five star read for me except for two things. First is how the author uses so much "boat talk", with intricate details about boats. For me, a non-boat person, I didn't follow (or care) about all of that. The second thing I disliked about the book, was the continual naming of every city, marina, island, etc that was passed while on the boat. It seemed too much like a geography lesson to me and detracted, rather than adding to the story. Maybe if you live in Florida (where the story takes place), you would find this interesting, but for me, I thought it was a little overkill. For these reasons, I rated the book 4 stars.

Despite those two aspects, I still loved the book and would definitely recommend it!

The Water Keeper is a compelling read with complex layers and interesting characters. I'd consider this to be Martin's most "thriller-like" novel to date. There are definitely some scenes that get the adrenaline flowing. Overall, this story illustrates a powerful message about love and the beauty of unconditional love. It's a picture of God's love for His children and his never-ending pursuit of the lost.
I'm glad the author tackled the human trafficking crisis. This is such an important topic and a travesty in our world that will never get enough coverage, in my opinion. While I acknowledge that this is obviously a work of fiction, I admire the author's ability to pull the reader into the dark underbelly of trafficking and expose the evil that's passing right under our noses every single day. The juxtaposition of the beautiful natural world and the criminals' egregious behavior was also well written.
There are some aspects of the plot that I found puzzling: the level of detail about the boat and specificity of geographic locations slowed the pace. Also, there are some significant plausibility issues with this novel, even more so than is typical for Martin. The hero's ability to survive anything, rescue anyone from any circumstance and still live to tell about it was a bit of a stretch. Life threatening injuries somehow magically healed. The dog swam for miles and miles. I was not comfortable with the implication that Summer read the hero's books as a way to detox from her addiction issues. Also, the subplot threads got a bit tangled. No spoilers here, but I just did not get the whole Marie aspect of this story.
I did receive an ARC from NetGalley. I also purchased the audio book and listened to this novel. The narration is quite good.

An incredible tale of an enigmatic man.
Murph is layered and full of surprises.
Charles Martin is a master at slowly revealing the story.
This story touches on many hard things, including sex trafficking and it’s terrors.
This book shows redemption and courage in the middle of some of the hardest things life has to offer.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I was so excited to get the chance to read this book: The story was set in NE Florida and as the author opened this story, I could see the waterway he was describing that flows through Jacksonville. I felt the story started off great but unfortunately I was left feeling a little disappointed. The set up of the main characters and hoe they met seemed unbelievable, that did not stop me from finishing the book. I was just expecting more.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review of this book.

Although I have loved all of Charles Martin’s novels, I was hesitant about reading this one because of the subject matter. There were parts that were hard to read, but overall, he deals very sensitively with the subject of sex trafficking. As always, his character development is excellent, and once I started reading this one, I found it very difficult to stop.

It has been a week since I finished The Water Keeper. Despite reading other books, it is still on my mind. It takes a lot for a book to stay with me like that.

I have really enjoyed all of the Charles Martin books I have read or listed to on audio. The Water Keeper is totally different than the subject matter of his other book, and this one took me on an emotional roller coaster ride.

I saw some of the twists coming, but that did not diminish my overall enjoyment or appreciation of the book. The topic of sex trafficking was so heavy and heartbreaking to me, because it is so real. The topic was handled in a delicate and tactful way, while giving you a picture of what was really going on.

I loved the characters but will admit, there was one I got, and stayed, angry at.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh man, this book was a wild ride all over the Florida Intercoastal Waterway! 🚤 While the subject matter was incredibly heavy (*incredibly*), I had so much fun touring all over the state.. This was my first Charles Martin book and I am HOOKED. If you're familiar with the Doc Ford series by Randy Wayne White, I found The Water Keeper to be very similar.
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Murphy Shepherd is the type of guy who is just so impossibly heroic - tortured but calm; fighting his internal demons while fearlessly tracking down the bad guys. He has that isolated, self-controlled, spine-made-of-steel with a heart-made-of-gold appeal. Relentless in his willingness to "leave the ninety-nine in search of the one," he scours the waters in search of those lost to *modern-day slavery*. Along the way, he makes unlikely friends, picks up a seemingly indestructible dog, and is basically a hero in a boat. I highly recommend The Water Keeper! Excuse me while I go read Charles Martin's entire blacklist!
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4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Masterful storytelling, complex characters and a tale steeped in realism. This author knows how to draw the reader in and keep the tension level tight. Action packed in parts made it quite suspenseful. A hint of romance--past and present--plus a few brushstrokes of faith, kept it from going too deep into the dark side. Definitely not a "Little House on the Prairie" type tale. Starts out edgy and continues to touch on the seediness and the horrors involved in sex trafficking. It was an eye opener for sure.

"Love reminds us who we are and who we were always meant to be. And there never has been nor ever will be anything that can kill it."
Murph's character was a complicated one, as he gave up all to rescue the lost, a strong hero type, yet he is quite vulnerable and broken on the inside. His backstory was a mystery thread that the author feeds out bits of until it finally comes together towards the end. What an emotional ride that was too. Left me in a bit of a book hangover. Good conclusion though that added a lot of hope for all involved. I liked the message that we are all worth saving, like the one lost sheep in the parable of the Good Shepherd.

Recommend to readers who can handle mature subjects with realism. This is an epic read! 4.5 stars

A fast-paced story of a man who risks everything to save others.

I'll admit straight away that the beginning of this book confused me. It wasn't entirely clear what was going on and felt a little disjointed from the rest of the book. Eventually, it is all explained with an interesting twist. So, jumping past the prologue, we are introduced to Murphy "Murph" Shepherd, a man on a mission.

It takes a little time for his purpose to be revealed, but the strength of his character is evident early on. This is a man who pays attention. Years of experience have helped him identify those in need, who need saving from themselves or others.

The first person to cross his path is a young teenager by the name of Angel. Clearly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, he doesn't ignore the girl who is desperate for attention. While he doesn't succumb to her advances, he takes the time to listen to her, and that time, however brief, connects him to her, that importance revealed later in the book.

Setting off on his next mission (not clear to us at first), Murph begins picking up other travelers along the way. Each in need in their own way.
A dog with no clear owner.
A woman looking for her daughter.
A dying man.
A stowaway.
And with each person he picks up, it is hard not to admire Murph's character. The author has created a character who is impossible to dislike. The sacrifice he makes to help each of them, is remarkable. Further, his backstory, makes him that much more compelling.

"We don’t love because people love us back. We love because we can. Because we were made to. Because it’s all we have. Because, at the end of the day, evil can take everything save one thing: your love. And when you come to realize that, that the only thing you really control in this life is your love, you’ll see, maybe for the first time, that we’re all just lost."

While Murph is clearly the main hero of this story, each of his fellow travelers plays a key role in helping him, whether it be on his mission, or on a more personal level. They begin to lean on one another, forming a bond that will last well past the wild mission.

"If I ever find myself lost, will you come find me?"
I nodded. "Always."

If you like a thrilling adventure story, with strong character development, and a tragic love story, this one is worth checking out!

I did not want this book to end! I seriously devoured this book. I love Charles Martin's books.
This book is a thrilling adventure taking place mostly near the water. The main premise is a quest to end a sex trafficking ring. Along the way there are guns and bloodshed as well as love and loss. It is a captivating page turner that has you on the edge of your seat. I adored the main character, Murph. The other characters are very well developed, and as a reader you become so invested in them. There's even a dog to love. I cannot recommend this book enough for those of you who enjoy a bit of action and suspense in your books.

I really was hoping to love this book. It was ok. I felt like it was written to become a movie and that is one of my biggest pet peeves. I want a book to just be a book, and if it can become a movie later, then great. But I would be willing to bet the eyes were on the movie prize on this one. It does portray the crucial current issue of human trafficking and I always see any book as bringing such an important issue to light as a positive one, so for that I did finish it and give kudos to that. But otherwise, I just wanted more.

This was my first dip into the Charles Martin pool and it was an all around positive experience. What struck me most were the well-drawn and very relatable characters. I felt like I really knew them and would love to have real conversations with them. It takes an exceptional writer to successfully achieve this and Martin pulls it off with heart and deft. This was a heartwarming yet suspenseful read that will leave readers with a lot to think about.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Charles Martin for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and author Charles Martin for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

WOW! What a phenomenal piece of writing. I really, really enjoyed this. I have never read this author's work before; I requested this because it is one of the titles included on our Booksparks summer book camp list. We follow main character Murphy who lives alone on an island in Florida. His main goal in life is to take care of an abandoned church on the grounds. He ends up going on an adventure in his boat to spread the ashes of his beloved mentor. Along the way, he rescues a gorgeous woman from the water. I was completely engrossed in this story line that dealt a lot with human trafficking. You jump back and forth between love and loss, and watch as these characters grow and develop, overcoming their mistakes and their past. I am so glad I was able to stumble upon this title!

Thank you to those named above for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

I'm having a hard time deciding what to say about this one. I like it, but it wasn't what I was expecting. The Martin books I've read previously and really enjoyed seemed more realistic than this one, and this one is definitely requires more suspended disbelief. But that doesn't make it bad, you just have to adjust your expectations. Once you get past the idea that everything is a little too lucky and tidy you can start reading it like more of a movie. Somewhere between a Hallmark movie and a John wick movie. The main character Murph fights the sex trafficking boats in Florida and after losing his mentor and his childhood sweetheart in the same mission he heads out on his boat to spread the ashes of Fingers his mentor. Along the way he meets Summer who is searching for her daughter Angel who Murph knows is on a trafficking boat heading south ahead of them.
I really liked that the premise and setting were both something I'm not that familiar with and the characters were developed so that I did feel like I cared about them. Overall the book wouldn't ever be in my top 100 but mostly because that's just not my preferred style of story. If you do like your books to have that Hallmark movie vibe then I do think you would like this one.

This is the first book that I've read by Charles Martin. I picked it up since it was included in the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge and lucked out and was able to get a copy from NetGalley.

The protagonist in this book is Murphy Shepherd. He lives alone on an island in Florida and tends an abandoned church there. He embarks on a journey in his boat Gone Fiction to spread the ashes of his mentor. He travels along the Inter Coastal Waterway headed for south Florida. Along the way he rescues a beautiful woman from the water. Summer is frantic and searching for her missing teenaged daughter.

This was an engaging story with a plot dealing with human trafficking. The story was along the lines of an action film like Jason Bourne or something similar. However, the characters we meet along the way add a lot of humanity to the story. We see a lot of reflection about love and loss. We watch as characters try to overcome the mistakes and ghosts from their past.

Murphy Shepherd appears to lead a quiet existence as caretaker of an island with an abandoned church. He is taking a boat trip to south Florida to scatter the ashes of “Fingers,” his former mentor when he rescues a woman from the intracoastal waterway. Like Murphy, Summer has secrets, but there’s no secret she’s searching for her missing daughter, Angél, who she believes is in the hands of human traffickers.

Summer could not have been saved by a better person. Turns out Murphy knows a thing or two about human slavery—and about rescuing lost souls. Soon they’ve collected a dying ex-con named Clay, an angry young woman named Ellie, and a nine-lived, super-canine named Gunner. As the stakes become higher, Murphy reveals more about himself and his past. But even he cannot predict what his future holds.

Martin creates characters who have deep flaws but extraordinary grace. Murphy is almost super human in his abilities and determination (surpassed only by Gunner, who is almost supernatural). Murphy, Summer, Clay, and Ellie will remain imprinted on the reader’s mind long after the book is finished. #TheWaterKeeper #NetGalley

Having read Charles Martin's When Crickets Cry, I was interested in trying another of his books. I was not disappointed in his newest title, The Water Keeper. If you have read any of Martin's other books, his newest story treads familiar paths. Walking with characters who endure abuse, trauma, and seemingly endless heartbreak as they travel wearily through life, you will find yourself tethered emotionally to their journey of love and forgiveness. Martin has a way of creating characters that you genuinely feel attached to hoping that they will weather the heavy storms his stories always inevitably brew up.

This story tackled a heavy subject in human trafficking. Considering this is a fiction title, I felt that the author did relatively well in handling the serious subject without trivializing it in dramatic flair. The intertwining history and backstories of the characters meshed well with the ongoing main conflict. As mentioned, while this story uses a dark subject as a catalyst for the plot, Martin is able to offer a sense of hope and faith in even the darkest times. As the story unfolds, love endures.

I rated this 4 out of 5 stars. I loved When Crickets Cry by Martin and this met my expectations coming out of my feelings for that book. Some parts of the book can bog down a little as the author likes to describe boats, boating technique, and Florida geography in more detail than I really cared for. Some readers may love that detail, but I could have done without that much of it. But to each their own. Great, inspirational read leaving you feeling like love and hope can be found in the world. Did not disappoint.

I would like to thank NetGalley for an e-copy of this title.