The series continues in an amazing blend of action, introspection, romance, and the eternal battle between Good and Evil. Murph has lost his mentor and possible his direction. As the team continues to rescue the innocent, including the daughters of the sitting VPOTUS.,they seem to be without a leader. How can Murph continue? This is a moving story, in which the plots are moved by the depth of the characters who hurt, cry, laugh, and celebrate like real people.

What a story - you will be mesmerized by the chronicle of events! A computer text is sent out about three girls, a mom, the Secret Service and bodies and photographs to be taken.

The Vice Presidents' family is kidnapped, the Secret service guarding them is savagely killed along with their guard dogs.

You will be intrigued by who is sent to find them, for he has been trained for many years by a man who was trafficked himself you will weep at the inside look into human trafficking.

These books are so deep and so insightful! Murphy and the community at Freetown are left to deal with the world without Bones in the midst of trafficking of the vice presidents daughters. Murphy and his team fight to find the one sheep while flashing back to their own memories of Bones and trying to heal. This book has a wealth of insight.

Thanks to netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This is an amazing story from one of today’s most incredible Christian authors. Human trafficking has become an increasingly criminal pandemic today. Charles Martin dives in with The Keeper showing that no one and no family is immune from being touched by this horrendous tragedy. The Keeper is incredible work from Charles Martin.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

If you thought the Murphy Shepherd/David Bishop story reached its conclusion with The Record Keeper, you're not alone. According to a video posted to Charles Martin's social media, he thought so too. But as he worked toward making the three existing books into movies that are expected to be made in the next few years, he said he realized that there was more to the story and he began the 4th installment.

The Keeper is every bit as good as the previous three books, and maybe even better. I could not put it down and finished it in a few days when the average book has been taking me over a week because of some intense real-life situations that are taking up a lot of my time right now. N0t only did I enjoy the unfolding of several important plot points, but I enjoyed seeing several characters grow and evolve through the events in the story.

Of course, the subject is human trafficking and sexual abuse of girls and women, so you have to be able to handle that. This series as a whole manages to convey the immense evil and tragedy of human trafficking without being graphic about it. That in itself takes a great deal of talent.

I can only hope that Martin doesn't stop with four and continues on with the saga of Murphy Shepherd and his tribe. I for one would eagerly read a fifth installment or as many as he wants to write.

I really enjoyed this as a romance and it worked with what I was looking for from the description. I was invested in what was happening to the characters and glad it was so well written. Charles Martin wrote this well and left me wanting to read more.

This is my first time reading anything by Charles Martin. Other than some references to earlier storylines, I wasn't lost in the story. It was written in such a way that it can stand on its own, although it is the latest in the series. Fans will obviously love the story. It is broad enough to fit into several categories. It has some romance, some intrigue, some action, and some moral direction. The subject matter is not bright and cheery, but the presentation of hope within a dark story is amazing. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

This is book 4 of the Murphy Shepherd series. I have read the others; however, each story is basically a standalone, with enough background that the reader will pick it right up. These are captivating, engaging stories nearly impossible to put down.
This story is about rescuing, mainly female, children of all ages, from the ravages of child trafficking. Absolutely outrageous to know such a thing exists, however, because it does, thankful for those who put their life on the line, as the fictitious character of Murphy Shepherd and others do.
The story begins with Murph at Arlington National Cemetery, where his mentor and best friend, Bones, is laid to rest. Although he is dealing with an agonizing sadness, at the loss, he vows to continue with the mission of saving children. Unknown to him the plot to take three daughters of a high-profile friend will play out soon.
The character development is exemplary, and the characters are memorable. The reality of child trafficking is not discounted in any way. Sacrificial love as well as the healing power of love is a theme throughout this heartfelt story.
I believe this book will appeal to the mainstream market as well as evangelicals. Personally, I loved the occasional reference to scripture.
I received a complimentary copy of his book. All comments and opinions are my own.

The Keeper is book 4 in the Murphy Shephard series. Charles Martin is an amazing voice in today's Christian fiction genre. This may be the best book of the 4! The story starts with David/Murphy struggling after the death of Bones. More of their story and history is revealed and the story gets better as every page is turned! The twists in the story were completely unexpected. This is simply an excellent story that picks right up where #3 ended. Some have said this could be a standalone, but I think that all should be read in order to understand the full depth of what Murphy/David does and is and how all of his story fits together. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.

This book is amazing the fourth in his series each one I think is the best but the next one is even better.

I just love Charles Martin’s writing. His newest book, The Keeper, was just as great as his previous books.

Title:  The Keeper  
Author: Charles Martin
Genre:  Fiction    
Rating: 5 out of 5

Bones--Murphy Shepherd's teacher, mentor, priest, and friend--is gone. Devastated by the loss and unsure how to continue the rescue work they started, Murph has no choice but to jump back in when the worst happens. His longtime friend and current United States vice president, Aaron Ashley, has been a silent partner in the fight against trafficking. But in spite of having the best security available, his three daughters have been taken bound and blindfolded from their home by an extraction team that left no clues and no trace--just an empty house, a bereft mother, and nine dead Secret Service agents. Only Murph and his team have a hope of finding them.

Bones may have made the ultimate sacrifice taking down his own brother and the dark network he led, but there are still others in this network where evil is the currency and power is the prize. Soon Ashley drops out of the presidential race and a new candidate emerges--someone who is ready, too ready, to step into the race and the Oval Office.

Bones taught Murph that the needs of the one, the lost one, outweigh those of the ninety-nine. In his first rescue without Bones beside him, Murph's fight against human trafficking takes him across the globe and through the halls of government to destroy the network and save the lives and souls of those taken.

This book. Charles Martin is my favorite author, and I love the Murphy Shepherd books, so I was desperate to read this. And it did not disappoint me. The ending of The Record Keeper destroyed me in all the best possible ways—how was this going to live up to that? It did.

There was a lot of action, of course, as befits this series, but we got to spend a lot of time in Murphy’s head, too, watching as he struggled with what he’d been taught—the value of the one—and what he felt. His anguish and confusion and doubt spilled onto the page and the reader wrestled with them just as he did. Layer that with the action of the race to find the three girls and to figure out just who was behind the darkness that took them and this book was absolutely riveting, Charles Martin at his best.

Charles Martin is a bestselling author. The Keeper is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

(Review will be live 3/18/25.)

So Charles Martin has come up with another book in the Murphy Shepherd series, after we all thought The Record Keeper was the final one. If you haven’t read The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, and the Record Keeper recently, you do not need to go back and re-read them. In this new book, Martin gives a lot of background to remind you what has happened in those 3 books. If you have NOT read them, you definitely want to read the series in order, because there’s a lot he doesn’t include in the flashbacks.

Once again, it is hard to read about the depths of evil involved in human trafficking and the awful, dark world of those who buy and sell the bodies of young boys and girls just to indulge in their perverse pleasures. After Bones’ death in The Record Keeper, his brother’s seven “generals” are ready to take over and continue expanding their power and reach. As Murphy grieves the loss of his mentor and friend, he keeps fighting, and the light shines through the darkness again and again, but at the cost of a love that gives sacrificially and completely.

The plot twists kept me gasping, and I had to take breaks now and then from the tension of the plot. New characters get introduced, more hope takes root, and I couldn’t believe how the book ends. I know you will love it like I did!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."  #TheKeeper #NetGalley

Just when I thought Charles Martin’s books could not get any better, he proves me wrong. Such an engaging storyline involving human trafficking and hard to believe such evil exists. You will need to make sure to read the books in order so it is easier to follow along.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Murphy Shepherd’s story continues with one of the most revealing and compelling installments yet! I love Charles Martin’s writing style and his latest book does not disappoint. So many loose ends tied up and explained, so many markers towards Jesus and what he has done for each of us. Great read, and hoping this means more to come for Murph and all the characters of Freetown.

I love Charles Martin! He is one of the best storytellers I've ever read! I love this series! I feel it's so important to bring light to this topic even though it makes me terrified for my 9 year old granddaughter! This book picks up where the last book ended with the death of Bones. But the Vice Presidents daughters are missing and Murphy Shepherd must find them while also navigating the grief of losing his mentor and best friend.

Murphy Shepherd is back! I was so excited to see Charles Martin wrote another book in this series. It’s one of the best series I have ever read and this was another great addition! In The Keeper Murphy has to work through tremendous grief while also finding a way to do his job and save the lost. As always Martin’s writing gets straight to the heart.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Keeper is a moving story of love and redemption. Through the eyes of a soldier willing to pay any price by putting his life on the line to save young girls being sold into trafficking, you catch a glimpse of the emotional cost.
Plenty of action and suspense as the team follows leads to rescue the girls. No spoilers….but emotions run high and laid bare when adjustments must be made within the team. A must read!

This was my first time reading Charles Martin’s work, and I understand now why this author is so popular. Although this is the latest book in a series, I wasn’t lost in the plot, and I didn’t feel like I was missing important information, so I believe this is fine if read as a stand-alone book. The characters are all intriguing, and the storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end. I would highly recommend it, and I look forward to reading more of Martin’s work.

This book will stay with you. It will stay on your forever shelf and on your heart. A great book in the series or even as a stand alone. Murph and Bones share so much words of wisdom and inspiration overcoming the darkness within the world we live in. Tough subject that needs light to be shined on. Highly recommend this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Keeper is an introspective look at friendship, loss and overcoming the many facets of grief. In the fourth book of the Murphy Shepherd series, Murph must work without his beloved Bones to track down child traffickers who are very skilled at their jobs.

Charles Martin can weave one heck of a story. His writing is uniquely thoughtful and compelling. It’s near impossible to set the book down once you’ve started it. I highly recommend this 5-star book, which can also be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the eARC.

Thank you, thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of The Keeper! I am a huge Charles Martin fan and couldn't wait to continue reading about Murphy Shepherd. I love Mr. Martin's style of writing and how he can take such a dark subject and make it eye opening and informative.I believe this book will appeal to the mainstream market as well as evangelicals. Personally, I loved the occasional reference to scripture but not overly preachy. I have already told many they have to continue reading this series. I sure do hope this is not the end of Murphy and we will hear from him again. Thank you Charles Martin for being the gifted writer you are!