I’ve read several Charles Martin books and essentially, he can do no wrong in my opinion. The latest, The Keeper was a winner.

I love this series!

Charles Martin is such an amazingly talented writer. I have enjoyed this series throughout the last few years, so imagine my joy at the opportunity of receiving this ARC. In typical fashion, I was hooked by the storyline. The first few chapters with several timelines made it hard to stay engaged in the beginning; however, I stayed the course and was rewarded. I loved this next chapter in the Murphy Shepherd series. The writing is strong and heartfelt. Themes of faith, hope, redemption is present in the midst of horrible sex trafficking atrocities.

"The needs of the one outweighs the ninety-nine." This book left me tearful at times and hopeful at others. Give this book a try if you want to experience all the feels!!

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC!

Charles Martin is such a powerful storyteller! The Keeper picks up where the Murphy Shephard trilogy ended. This beautiful story of grace and redemption deals with the difficult subject of human trafficking with a mix of disgust (for the perpetrators) and compassion (for the victims). There are several flashbacks so you can easily follow this novel of forgiveness and mercy.

Jonathan K. Riggs narrates the depth of characters so well.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

The Keeper is the fourth novel in the Murphy Shepherd series and hopefully not the last! Publication date 4/1/2025‼️
This has been an incredible action packed, suspenseful and emotional experience.
All of the stories addressed the serious issue of human trafficking of children and young women and what extreme measures others are prepared to take to save these innocent lives.
There is love, sadness, hope and friendship throughout the narratives. Charles Martin’s writing is rich in detail, which helps to create an immersive experience. He incorporates local history adding depth to the stories he tells. Jonathan K. Riggs is the most entertaining narrator I’ve encountered so far in my new adventure with audiobooks.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I just knew bone can not die like that, ehhhhh. The twixt, the storyline, the actions, the everything. I was so happy that my guy did not die or was missing in action.

"People in darkness don't know they are in darkness until someone comes along to on the light." Darkness can not win when there is light ✨️

Jesus is the light.

Thank you, Charles Martin, Harper Collins, and NetGalley, for the early copy.👏 🙌 👌 😍

#Netgalley #Charles Martin #Harper Collins for this beautiful read. Thank you to everyone that made it available for me to read

This book was heartbreaking, action-packed, and full of surprises—but also filled with so much hope. From the very first page, I was just so happy to be back with Murphy and the crew. The story and action here was engaging while also feeling new. I was caught between wanting to fly through this and also desperately wanting to slow down so it wouldn't end.

I never expected another book after the last one, so this was the best surprise. The new characters added so much to the story and I'm interested to see if we get to hear from them in the future. The way it ended makes me hopeful that there’s still more to come, and I’ll be first in line to read anything that comes after this!

As always, the narration was so well done!

I’ve been wanting to try a Charles Martin book for the longest time. I just didn’t know what was the best place to start. When I saw this on NetGalley, I thought here is my chance. While I could have read this one without reading the first three books, I decided to go all in and get the entire experience. Let me just tell you—I had no clue what I was getting myself into!

Just going of the covers of the Murphy Shepherd series, the reader sees these serene, contemplative, dreamy scenes and immediately thinks this will be a good, calm read. Uhmmm…no! Not even close! These stories are high action, intense plot, continuously moving and evolving, involving hard topics and powerful themes of self-worth, selflessness, and forgiveness.

Each story picks up where the last left off. And Charles does a good job with story telling and flashback recollections that the read can easily pick up any book without foreknowledge of the previous and not be lost to the overall plot.

With that being said, do not, if at all possible, pass up the chance to read all of the books in order. There is just too much good stuff in there miss one moment with Murphy and his team.

Love this series and the narrator is fantastic!

Though the topic of sex trafficking is hard to read about, I think it's been helpful for me as I see what a pervasive problem it is. I hope there are people like Murphy Shepherd and Bones out there kicking down doors to free the captives.

This book had a slower pace and less action than the others I feel as it focused a lot on Murph trying to figure out how to go on without Bones. His grief was intense. It's hard to change roles when the mentee becomes the leader. It was interesting seeing him start to train others as Bones had trained him.

This story was also a beautiful testament to marriage. Summer's support was incredible. A man like Murph needs a woman like Summer in his corner.

I listened to the audiobook as well and the narrator was great. There is a lot of back and forth timewise in the book so a time or two I had to back it up to keep it all straight.

Excellent book. Charles Martin is a special writer. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free audiobook . All opinions are my own.

Such an inspirational story and definitely brings and draws attention to human trafficking, which is much needed and more prevalent than anyone is aware.

Martin is such an exquisite writer, tons of details, research is out all of his topics and military type techniques that you can just almost feel like you are right there in the heart pumping action. I love a good rescue story in this book is several examples of that. Also does an excellent job of adding spiritual elements throughout the story that really tug at your heart. All the emotions!

Love following along in the series and think this is the next excellent installation. Excellent narration in this book as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson books for my Audible early release copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to #Netgally, #CharlesMartin, and #ThomasNelson publishers for the ARC of this book. I listened to the audiobook version. All opinions are my own.

Charles Martin is a master storyteller, and somehow he gets better and better. In this fourth book in the Murphy Shepherd series, his trusted mentor and treasured friend Bones is gone. Murph is devastated and at a complete loss, but knows somehow he has to continue their work, fighting evil and saving vulnerable people. When is dear friend and US vice president Aaron Ashley's three girls are abducted against all odds, Murphy knows he and his team are the most experienced and equipped to go after these bad guys and attempt to save the girls. While this book draws the reader in with drama and suspense related to their rescue, this is also a story of healing for Murphy Shepherd after experiencing one of the greatest losses of his life. Charles Martin's ability to convey humility, brokenness, unconditional love, vulnerability, authenticity, commitment, the importance of doing hard things--is remarkable. When I read his books it's impossible for me to have just one favorite character, or one person in particular I am pulling for. Each of his characters are so vital to the stories and there are many to root for, seeing in each of them (in the good guys, and maybe in even a few of the bad guys) qualities of sacrifice, deep investment in others' good, and love. This story of rescue, redemption, and valuing of others more than yourselves is one not to miss! I can't recommend it highly enough! Thank you, Charles Martin, for another winner!

The Keeper by @storiedcareer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


By far my favorite one of the series. It’s hard to put into words what these books do to my heart and my mind. This one had a few backstories mentioned previously in the series, but I would highly recommend reading all the books in order to fully understand all that happens.
I love the way the narrator reads, the way the story is woven together, and the beautiful unwavering love and hope threaded throughout.
This book is the 4th in the series and releases in April!

I received an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest and my own. @thomasnelson @storiedcareer @netgalley

#goodreads #netgalley #charlesmartin #thekeeper #murphyshepherd #bookstagram #literarypearlsof25

Another absolutely beautiful installment in this series. Charles Martin has long been a favorite author of mine but this series has been some of his best writing.

Murph is on the hunt for the Vice President’s daughter who were stolen by some “bad men with bad intentions.” Unfortunately this time he is without Bones. The journey made me laugh and cry. I won’t give it away but there is one spot where I was actually sobbing.

The narrator was great.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

I am obsessed with this series, and I was so impressed with this one! Charles Martin has a way of brining the reader in that is unmatched. I loved this book so much, and it was a perfect fourth book to this series!

So hear me out. I'm going to state right up front that the first half of this book is repetitive of the first three books in The Keeper series. Like word for word repetitive. I assume the purpose of this is was to refresh the reader of the backstory and help to reinvest in the characters. Maybe it was so the book could be read as a stand alone. I don't know. I do know that I had reread the first three books in anticipation of this fourth one, so the repetition was super noticeable to me and honestly it was a little tedious at times. I thought the whole book was going to continue that way and that this was going to be the first Charles Martin book that I wasn't going to be head over heels in love with.

I WAS WRONG!!!

Through this reminiscing and repetition of the past, the overriding theme that Murph keeps wrestling with is the challenge of doing the "right" thing even if it is with great harm, and trying to learn how much is too much. How far is too far?

About halfway (?) through the book, Martin brings back the storytelling as we are are used to it in all new material. In hindsight, I realize that the internal struggle and back to the old content approach played a big part in portraying how "stuck" Murph was and then the transition towards the middle was representative of him moving on without Bones. It was about the grieving process and growth. At one point Murph says, "Will you cut me a little slack while I stumble through being human?"

This book did not disappoint. You have to hang in there and wait for the bigger picture Martin is painting. It all comes together and will leave you breathless (and hoping and praying there will be another book!).

I don't usually hold on to quotes from books too tightly but once again Martin nails it with his messages of Christ's love woven into his stories when he says, "To love is to become vulnerable." and "...his love was deeper than his hate."

Another 5 stars from me!