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.

This novel hooked me from the first scenario. The hero is larger than life, overcoming repeated life-threatening injuries, something you can get away with in fiction. But it wasn't entirely believable. I liked how, though he was flawed and broken himself, he risked himself to help others. Along his rescue journey, he picks up a crew of misfits, like himself. They rescue each other and heal some of their hurts together. The topic of modern-day slavery feels immediate and will keep readers engaged.

As I read the e-book, I highlighted several lines. The author is insightful, and his prose requires a double take at times. As a general fiction novel, this book tackles heavy topics of human trafficking and the violence of pursuing the traffickers. Expect blood. There is a thread of romance, along with a thread of a previous love story. I liked the sense of justice and clearly contrasting values/morals, where we root for the good guys and delight when the evil ones fall. If you’re a sensitive reader, as I am, you may need to skim a few passages, but I didn’t find those elements overwhelming.

I found repeated patterns of “to be” verbs paired with -ing words: like “was swimming” or “were making,” and there were several POV missteps. The jarring pattern of “began _____-ing” pulled me from the story multiple times. (It’s impossible to turn off the inner editor.) I also became a little lost on occasion. But by the end, readers will understand earlier mysteries. There were moments of melodrama and what some might call schmaltz, but the good outweighs the bad here. Any or all of these issues may have been reworked from the ARC (advanced reader copy, which I read) to the final version.

The other missing element for me was deep POV. Most of the time, readers are kept in the dark about what the MC is thinking/feeling. This may be because this novel leans toward the suspense genre, which hides things from readers for the sake of mystery.

I recommend this novel, and I’ll watch for the next book in this series.

Murphy Shepherd is a man of contradictions. His seminary training and his caretaking of a run-down church and the island where it sits shows a quiet man, content with the simple life he has built. And yet, Murphy is a crusader, a man who rescues young women caught up in sex trafficking, someone who tracks the abductors and brings them to justice. His friend and mentor, Fingers, died in a raid on a boat in Florida, leaving Murphy alone. Following Fingers’ last words, Murphy heads out to scatter his ashes where they first met, and along the way, Murphy finds a young girl involved in a party on a yacht, a dog swimming in the Gulf, a distraught mother, a dying man, and the key to his heart.

This book has plenty of action, some intrigue, and no shortage of heroic acts. And yet, I felt it was too busy. There were too many people around Murphy, and while I understand he may have needed an entourage, it was just too much. I liked Summer, and felt she was a strong and determined woman who was focused on finding her daughter, and was willing to do whatever was necessary. I appreciated Murphy’s courage and conviction, living by Scripture and searching for the one lost sheep, and providing an option for the girls he rescued, but I was exhausted with everything that happened…and kept happening.

My thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher and author for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so glad this book is part of Book Sparks Summer Reading program #src2020. It was hands down the best book I have read in 2020!

I like most genres but tend to veer towards female authors. I wouldn't have come across The Water Keeper without Book Sparks and I would have missed out on this amazing storyline: part thriller, part romance and part travel memoir. Martin managed to keep the tension high, even during the downtimes when the characters were opening up and revealing tiny confessions about their past. The main character Murph was James Bond and a romance novel hero beefcake blended together. Even the dog had personality layers!

As the characters made their way down the Intercoastal waters off East Coast Florida, I kept google maps open so that I could track their movements and I kept a note of the places Murph mentioned as possible vacation destinations. The beautiful characters and scenery were in stark contrast to the horrors of the 'flesh ships'. I felt the tension of the clock ticking for Angel and cheered for every girl saved. I felt so invested in the saving of Angel and the other girls, Martin's words drew me in and forced me to experience the anxiety and anger of what was happening to the victims. It was an emotional rollercoaster! And underneath the present day story unfolding was an old love story so pure and heart wrenching it had been melting the hearts of millions of readers.

Thanks you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC. This is my honest review,

The water keeper. I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is my second CM book. The first was When Crickets Cry in 2006. I still remember how that book made me feel, how beautiful the story. The Water Keeper did not disappoint. We are introduced to Murph and his dedication, his calling, to finding and restoring those lost to the sex trade. Charles has created several characters who are fleshed out and easy to begin to care about. Sections of this book are difficult to read and I had to put the book down and walk away. But I could not stay away from the story.
Redemption is a powerful need. He writes about it beautifully. It is real and raw. I will definitely recommend to fellow readers and my book clubs.

This is an unusual and complex book dealing with some emotional issues. Full of adventure, it deals with hard subjects with sensitivity. It was confusing at first - takes awhile to get into the story and get to know the characters. A thought-provoking book,.

Classic Charles Martin. I so enjoyed this book.

I am a long time Charles Martin fan and I was happy to see him introduce human trafficking into this storyline. Per usual, the main character is a tortured soul that rises above his past. The writing was precise, never over the top emotional and perfectly captured the humanity of all involved.

My one issue was that this book felt similar in areas to a few of his other books. Probably not something a lot would notice and it is definitely not something that should deter new readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.