I loved this series so much and it so easily moved it's way into my #1 favorite series of all time. I have come to love Martin's writing and he is an auto buy/read author for me. I am looking forward to The Keeper but also dread that this series will be coming to an end. Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this wonderful book.

Charles Martin is a master with the pen. I just finished The Record Keeper and it was amazing. I loved it.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the gifted book I read along with the library audio!

After his last mission got wildly personal, Murphy Shepherd is now fully entrenched in a revenge mission that is making him use every fiber of his mental and physical acuity to defeat the enemy.

This third book in the series is the resolution I didn't even know I was craving. It is suspenseful and poignant at the same time. Martin is the kind of writer that wraps their arm around your shoulder and guides you through the ups and downs of the narrative. And in this third book his writing style really shines as he brings home the themes of this series in the most touching of ways and the resolution is so bittersweet that you can't help but feel all the feelings.

This is the third book in The Keeper Series and this is my second time reading the book, first time via audiobook. Again, the narrator does an excellent job with the story. As I read this book this time, I was overwhelmed by the overriding theme of the sacrificial love of Christ portrayed by Bones, Murphy Sheperd's mentor. Martin does a bang up job of putting this indescribable gift into a more tangible way for our feeble minds to attempt to wrap around. This was originally going to be the last book in the series, from my understanding, but I was so happy to learn there is a fourth installment coming in April.

The third and last book in the Murphy Shepherd series. This is an intense series. This book focuses on Bones and his life. His life was one of tragedy, unwantedness, and finding a place to belong. All of which he found with Shep and Freetown. But what he wanted most was his twin brother, Frank, who was anything but nice to him. This series is about the topic of sex trafficking, something that needs much more focus to resolve and eliminate in the world. This is a fantastic series, well laid out, engaging and recommend for people who like to get to know the characters and invested in the story. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

For those of you who don’t know, #TheRecordKeeper is book #3 of the Murphy Shepherd Series by the one and only, #CharlesMartin !!

If you have not heard of him, or by some chance, have not read any of his books…PLEASE… CHANGE THAT RIGHT NOW!
You will not be sorry, in any way shape or form. I can promise you that.
He is a truly gifted writer who not only gives you a story, but actually makes you feel that you are PART OF THIS STORY….AND…makes you think about your OWN STORY…its trajectory, and just maybe…how you might improve on it! ❤️

Take a deep breath, clear your mind, BUCKLE UP, and try to enjoy the ride… at least when you’re not shaking your head, gasping 🫢, or outright SOBBING 😭 through this one…

Murph and Bones and the whole crew are at it again… but this one REALLY hits home… and not in a good way. “Going after the one and leaving the 99 behind” is a Mantra you will NOT soon forget… especially in the crippling aftermath of this book… 😭😵🫣😢

Once again, we are faced with human trafficking… not a great story in any way… and this time, the tables have turned. Again.

As Murph and his crew try to get to the bottom of these twists and turns, he actually learns even more about himself and Bones… as he becomes more introspective… and tries to mirror Bones’ ways…

And once again, you WILL find yourself… laughing, crying, gasping to catch just ONE breath, shaking your head to try and clear it… and lastly, resolving to try to be just one iota like Murph and/or Bones.

This my friends is the true miracle of his books… in that you look more closely at both the main characters/the moral of the story, and at yourself. 😮🫢❤️

If you choose to read this series, please do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. Although you don’t HAVE TO, it will make much more sense, and flow a lot better…

Once again, ALL THE STARS, AND THEN SOME FOR ME!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨
He is just an incredible writer, and I have LOVED every one of his that I’ve read…because, yes, they bring out ALL the feelings and emotions within you! And then, some more…

#TheRecordKeeper by #CharlesMartin and narrated beautifully by #JonathanKRiggs.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #ThomasNelson and #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook. It has already been released, but I think because book #4 is being released in April 2025, this one was offered, and I was so happy to receive a copy! Please, look 👀 for it on shelves now!

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

By far one of the most gut wrenching books I've listened to. Charles Martin has written a story about redemption that truly makes you think about what you believe and how well you are actually living out the idea that we should leave the 99 to rescue the one. To feel the love that Bones has for the one that the world deems irredeemable is truly a testament to the love that Jesus has for all of us. Martin has written a book that draws you in, immerses you in a world you never wanted to be exposed to, and expands your heart as you learn to love like Bones and rescue like Murph.

Pulse pounding! The Record Keeper is worthy of your attention, respect, and tears. Murphy Shepard is back, right where we left him in The Letter Keeper, and there is no easing into the story. Murphy’s mission in life is to rescue the one, at all costs. This time, his best friend and mentor is the one who needs to be rescued. If only the bad guys ever made it simple. Murphy is truly engaged in a moment-by-moment chase that is equivalent to a needle in haystack. He assimilates a new team, which is one of the things I really enjoyed, and leaves no stone unturned. If you have not read the first two books in the series (to which I ask “WHY NOT”), you can follow along as there are some recaps and summaries provided. I do love all the technical descriptions. They are not dry in the sense of a textbook, but truly woven into the story in a way that brings clarity to things I would never know about and simultaneously make me feel like I am experiencing the moment with Murphy and his team. The stakes are high, the action never stops, and all the while, the pursuit of the one is the theme because no matter what, love shows up.
The narrator did an excellent job capturing the energy, the urgency, and the emotions. I really enjoyed listening to this story come to life.
I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This was another great book in the Murphy Shepard series. I have loved ever Charles Martin book I have read thus far, and this one does not disappoint. I can't wait for The Keeper (Book 4) to come out next month April 1,2025. I will definitely have to read that one.

I actually listened to the audio book on this one and I have to say I did not care for the narrator. I also found myself distracted a lot listening to it, as I am not used to audio books.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the complimentary copy of this audio book.

Whose you are matters more to the soul than who you are or what you are.”

Ohmygoodness. I literally cannot get enough of this series! And I have lost track of how many times, Charles Martin has moved me to tears with his words. He truly sees to the heart of the walking wounded, those who feel like the world and our own actions have taken us so far that not even God can love us. But, that is a lie! I have been the One that He left the ninety-nine for and I am and will always be so thankful to Him for putting me back together. What I went through is nowhere near as bad as what Casey and the others went through. But, Casey, especially, spoke to my heart and showed me my scars and the healing I’ve experienced. I truly believe that God will use this series in amazing ways. The people who make it their life’s mission to stop the people evil enough to think they can traffic other people are strong in a way I cannot imagine. Murphy Shepherd, Bones, and their team are fictional but there are real people who fight this battle every day. And I can’t imagine what it would take to face that kind of darkness on a consistent basis. I long for the day when all of the evil is stopped and these men and women can put aside their armor and know the battle has been won. This book was even better than the previous books and I genuinely didn’t think that was possible. Bones broke my heart telling his backstory and I found my heart hurting, even for Frank. The way he and Bones turned out so very different just blows my mind. We can choose to let God use the bad we’ve been through for good, or we can choose to let it make us bitter and perpetuate the same evil that has been done to us. I almost regret that there is only one more book in the series and hope that we get more books, or maybe Casey’s story can be a separate book?

The Record Keeper is book three in the Murphy Shepherd series. Charles Martin provides enough summary from the previous two books (The Water Keeper and The Letter Keeper) to keep a new reader or audiobook listener current regarding the storyline. Murphy Shepherd is still recovering from his last mission's injuries when his mentor Ezekiel "Bones" Walker is abducted. Shepherd, Clay, and Eddie hire new tech people, in hopes, to locate and rescue Bones.

In his previous two books, Martin focused on female human trafficking while mentioning that males also suffered horrible abuse. Martin flips his focus towards male human trafficking in Book Three. Martin poignantly writes Bones's human trafficking backstory; this narrative prepares Shepherd to learn a hard lesson regarding love: Should love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness be given to those whom people view as good, or should love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness also be given to evil people?

Jonathan K. Riggs expertly continues his narration of this series. Riggs has a pleasant voice, and he uses intonation and inflection is denote who is speaking. This keeps the listener engaged and staves off confusion regarding which character is speaking.

Thank you #CharlesMartin, #ThomasNelson, #ZondervanFictionAudio, and #NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Another installment in the epic saga of this series! Charles Martin has a way of touching on the full range of emotions, fully engaging readers in the highs and lows of the plots. This is the type of book that you never want to end, yet you have to know the conclusion. Excited for the next book in this series!

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Then Bones 💔 oh my heart. Book 3 in the Murphy Shepherd series really tugs on the heart strings. Somehow this series keeps getting better and better. Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for this audiobook.

This is more of Bones’ story. His background and his twin brother, and how they turned out so differently because of their childhood.
Bones is still out to leave the 99 to save the one.
When Bones goes missing, all at Freetown are distraught. Murph is on a mission to find and save him, but Frank (Bones’ brother) seems to be always one step ahead.
Compulsive listening.
Loved it.

Book 3 in A Murphy Shepherd Series was another audio read for me. Jonathan K Riggs is the reader and again he does a stellar job.

Continuing shortly after book 2, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper begins. This was such a gripping novel that I listened to it in record time. And even though the first half of the book is very much a tell story, the action in the last half kept me on the edge of my seat with an ending that was both shocking and heartbreaking.

Again, Charles Martin’s weaved a story that goes back in time to the history of both Bones and Murphy Shepherd. Though most of it does centre around Bones and his upbringing. I won’t say too much more just that he was a man who saw good even in evil. The one who always asked, tell me what you know about sheep, which has become a trademark in the series.

The Record Keeper is another emotional read into the world of human trafficking along with the power and search for love and freedom. This is book 3 and I highly recommend, to get the full enjoyment and impact, you need to start at the beginning of the series. At present there are three books but come April 1 book 4 entitled The Keeper will be released. I am listening to it right now

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan fiction audio for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

This is Bones’ book-

The pursuit to discover the extent of the evil Shepherd’s crew has uncovered brings new cyber-experts to the team. The chase is on when Bones is taken…

The themes of this series remain intricately woven and brilliantly built upon with every book.

Another fast paced, heartwrenching installment to this series, Jonathan K Riggs infuses his narration with intrigue and evil undertones as we encounter the sick mastermind behind the heinous debauchery he propagates.

This book is suitable for mature teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this audiobook from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the ebook version.

In The Record Keeper: A Murphy Shepherd Novel, book 3, Charles Martin has done it again! This action/adventure series not only has heart, it's packed with all sorts of danger. This book seemed to move a bit faster than previous books in this series and I enjoyed this one better, as well. And It still has all sorts of details just like all the previous books.
I read the audible version of this book. The narrator, Jonathan K. Riggs, does a good job managing each of the characters and keeping the story going at a fairly steady pace. I found his voice to be calm and soothing in a way that worked well with the story.

This is a review of the audiobook.

This book, as with the rest of the series, is so deeply moving and so heartrending. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does such an amazing job of bringing you right in to the action, letting you feel everything that's happening in such exquisite detail. I cannot give this book enough stars and, as with all of these books, I never want it to end. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I really enjoy how each story goes more in depth with the character backstories. This is the third book in the series, and they seem to just keep getting better. In this story, Bones is missing and Murphy and his crew do everything they can to find Bones.

There are some hard parts to listen to in this book but the story deals in harsh realities and shows how evil unfolds in the world. With the difficult parts also come love, hope and inspiration. I found this book to be gripping and suspenseful in many spots and uplifting and encouraging in others.

The narration by Jonathan Riggs was really great. His voice and characters really stood out and made it easy to follow along, you always knew who was speaking.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.