I always enjoy Charles Martin's books, they are well researched and fast paced.
This is an amazing story of love, loss and rebirth. There were a few details about the waterways of Florida I could have lived without but it is an amazing story that brings attention to child trafficking in the US and around the world.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for my copy of this book. When I saw it was available as an ARC, I immediately applied to get a copy.

Great characters, excellent and sometimes eye-opening interwoven stories. Also includes a love story and a wonderful dog set on the beautiful coast of eastern Florida. While all the characters are damaged souls, their interactions save them from becoming lost. You may love them, you may hate them or barely find them tolerable. However, all are believable and memorable as they carry you along on an adventure of a lifetime. Fast paced and hard to put down.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions and comments are strictly my own.

Starting out - I'll be honest - I didn't love it. There are only so many details I need about boats and what waterways connect to what. I kept reading though, because this book has some glowing reviews. By the end I was glad I finished it. It's rare to find an author that can write so poignantly about love while also tackling some of the most terrifying issues in the world today. It fast paced, full of twists, and very enjoyable. Thanks Netgalley for the great read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Charles Martin is one of the better authors in the Christian fiction genre. A complex plot, romance, suspense and an unforgettable character in Murphy make this a must-read book.

I wanted to love this book, I really did! However, I struggled to stay engaged with this. Charles Martin's writing is so good, but the story of this book didn't capture my attention like I had hoped. Overall, this book sadly fell flat for me.

I think this is my first book by this author and what a book it was! It was intense, fast paced , and full of some twists.
It was hard to put down! I really enjoyed it! Definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I always enjoy Charles Martin's books. This one was one of his best. I truly fell in love with Murphy and enjoyed this exciting story. Will definitely purchase for the library and recommend it to the patrons.

Travel to Fort George Island, north of Jacksonville Florida...
now get in a boat and travel to a smaller island... meet Murphy Shepard.
He has spent life rescuing others, now he is unable to rescue himself.
He is dealing with a loss, unable to "get over"
(Charles Martin worded so eloquently, I want to remember how he expressed
I have never been able to put loss into words as well)

I have read all of Charles Martin's books, I will continue to read his books irregardless of subject matter.
I recommend his books to family, friends, patrons, strangers who ask me for a good book to read.

Suspense intrigued my need for conclusion - had to keep reading.
You will not want to put down!

*Sometimes people need more than water to learn to swim*

When you have to go to work tomorrow but you can not put a book down. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking, hopefully story about love and freedom from the things that haunt us. The characters and the relationships were beautiful. The way that they author wove the story together was captivating. HIGHLY recommend this book and will be thinking about the last few chapters for a while. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin
Murphy Shepherd is more than the simple, solitary caretaker that he appears. When Angel, an under-age trafficked girl crosses his path, it puts his life on a trajectory that even he doesn’t expect.
Murphy is a classic Charles Martin hero--- tough exterior, tender inside, wounded, but always honorable. He made me wish that such a person really existed to be the hero that so many pine for today.
This book had lots to keep the reader engaged. The plot was always shifting. Murphy kept pulling out unexpected surprises. And the author kept surprising me, too. The characters, especially Murphy, continued to reveal more about themselves and their past. There was always something happening to draw the reader in. It worked on me as, I finished this book in a weekend.
I have read several of Martin’s other books and appreciate his wholesome writing. This book was the same, despite dealing with the difficult subject of sex trafficking. I did wonder why he didn’t include any information regarding organizations rescuing children from this horror. I think his audience would have been receptive to that.
If you are a Charles Martin fan, put this on the top of your TBR pile today! If you have yet to read one of his books, start with this one—because you can’t go wrong. Both men and women readers will enjoy this. There is enough action and romance for either. I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy, for this my honest review.

Big thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
I have mixed feelings about The Water Keeper. There were a lot of things about the story I liked a lot - good themes, good characters, good story twists. However I also found some aspects of the story very confusing (fiction vs reality) or unrealistic, and there was an overdose of sailing and geographic information that slowed the plot down.

Charles Martin is one of the best storytellers. A friend introduced me to him a few years ago and I have slowly been devouring his books. The Water Keeper is Martin's newest book and it does not disappoint. You meet Murphy who lives a quiet life of solitude, until he has another woman or girl to find. He helps find women that are abducted and helps them better their life after being found. You learn his past and story as the book unfolds. Murphy was once in love with Marie and she was the one the got away. He has spent his life looking for her in one way or the other. Murphy has lived many lives before this current one. He is a great character.
Martin fills his stories with some unforgettable and lovable characters. This book had action, love and romance, thrills, and sadness.
Parts of this book spoke to me in ways that some books don't. Martin definitely has a gift. "We all lose our way. Sometimes it just takes someone else to find us and bring us back." Some days we all need to be brought back.
Martin's books are an easy read that flow from one chapter to the next. You'll find yourself lost in the book, one chapter turns into a dozen. I will be recommending this book to others and will be looking for Martin's other works. Special Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Charles Martin for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#TheWaterKeeper #NetGalley

Reading a Charles Martin novel is such a breath of fresh air and I always excitedly anticipate his newest release. Martin’s writing is solid and memorable with characters that possess passion and strength. In each of his books, the reader can find a quiet sense of Jesus Christ’s presence. In his latest novel, the Water Keeper, the story flows a bit differently. The main character seems to be a mix of Magnum PI and James Bond rolled into one with threads of Charles Martin’s goodness holding them together. The main character, “Murph” is a white-knight to young girls encompassed in the sex slave industry. Along the way, the novel unrolls many different characters that at times gets a little confusing as to the who and when of their role. The characters all seem to be a sub-thought except for the precious dog, who is consistently present. The plot feels a bit rushed and takes many turns that while keeps the reader guessing, gets a little frustrating. However, readers of Charles Martin will love this book as they have his previous novels, it just may not be their favorite.

Wow. What twisty, powerful ride this read turned out to be. A priest and a black ops rescue guy are the same person? Love (or the lack of self love), redemption, tough choices and friendship trickle through the entire plot, shaping the actions and outcomes. The tough part was the human trafficking bit; though not graphic it was hard to hear how these evil men prey on vulnerable females. Young girls don't stand a chance against their slickness unless we educate them. This book might be mostly fiction but I do hope that there are many people like Murph fighting for, and rescuing, the taken ones.

I'm looking forward to the discussion questions when the book is released.

Martin, popular in Christian circles, writes a memorable story about sex trafficking in Florida with characters and a dog that stay with you. Some violence as the good guys take on the bad ones but no profanity or explicit sex. Technical descriptions of boats and geographical references of Florida bog the plot down. Very predictable and mushy.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Water Keeper by Charles Martin.

Murph is a man full of secrets and surprises. He lives a seemingly quiet life, seeing to the upkeep of a local church by the water, nothing out of the ordinary or pretentious. But after a woman injures herself greatly in a reckless boating accident, Murphy jumps to her aid, and embarks on a wild adventure that neither could have bargained for.

This is a really fun and fast paced adventure story. Lot of characters are picked up along the way, a lot of secrets are uncovered, and a lot of people find themselves and each other. Overall I remained interested and captivated.

I remember having the same criticism of the last Martin book I read that he tends to just rush through the details and nuances of the story in order to get to the meat. I'm sure a lot of people enjoy that, but for me it felt rushed, and without more explanation, it all felt over the top. Coincidences definitely happen, but c'mon. There is plenty of emotion and humanity in the story, but I guess I would have liked more.

Another amazing book my Charles Martin. Each one different but this one is so relevant to today. I think everyone should read it and have their eyes opened to what is around us. Such a well written and pull you into it story.
Thanks to net galley and the publisher to share this book with me.
I definitely recommend it.

Exciting storyline with the underlying message that love and commitment are essential elements for all relationships. Hard to put down once you start.

Another amazing story from Charles Martin. Riveting text. Hope that shines in the darkness of evil. Vibrant--broken yet strong--characters with a main character who believes the 'needs of the one outweigh those of the ninety-nine.' The story revolves aroud sex-trafficking in the Florida coastal areas and looks at the question--the heart's cry of humanity--'Whose am I?' It is a reminder that love writes over old memories and writes what can be. What a marvelous story from an author who has quickly become one of my favorite writers. I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

I finished this book in one sitting!!! I basically devoured this book. I have long been a fan of everything that Charles Martin writes and have read everything to date. This book does not disappoint. The Water Keeper is a symbolic story of the 99 sheep and Jesus left the flock for the one.

Murphy is a sad soul and he is on a mission. He has many layers that unfold as you move along through the story. I don't want to give any of the story away but this story includes love, heartbreak, and forgiveness. This story is very complex but eventually unfolds and all comes together. I love this aspect of this author. I was completely unable to guess the ending.

I am truly honored to have been selected to read and review this book. Thank you netgalley for the electronic copy of the book and as usual all opinions are mine.