I have truly loved this series. I am reminded to see the hope and the light. This author is truly gifted with his ability to write.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The third book in the series.
Heavy dark themed topic, continuing the second book pursuing the human trafficking pyramid head.
That ending!!!

Murphy Shepherd’s last rescue mission very nearly cost him his life. He’d like nothing more than to stay close to his wife and daughters for a while. But Bones’s brother must be stopped, and there are so many who still need to know they are worth rescuing. As the cat-and-mouse game moves into the open, Murphy is tested at every turn—both physically and mentally. Then the unthinkable happens: Bones is taken. Gone without a trace. Murphy lives by the mantra that love always shows up. But how can he rescue Bones when he has no leads?

The Record Keeper explores the true cost of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one and is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy starting with the Water Keeper, then the Letter Keeper and now this final volume. I was introduced to Charles Martin in my church book club with the reading of The Water Keeper. This author's is the best writer that I have come across in quite a while. When you start one of the books in this trilogy, you better be prepared not to get anything done until you finish! His descriptions and character portrayals are so real and believable that I often wondered if he had first hand knowledge with sex trafficking or had just done a lot of research as he never says in his books how he knows so much on the subject. I highly recommend this trilogy, and it needs to be read in order to get the full benefit as each story after the first builds on the previous story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read this wonderful book. I sought out and read The Letter Keeper before reading this book and am glad I did.

I live in a bubble. There is so much evil in the world. And the subject of this book is the most evil. Sex Trafficking. I know this is a work of fiction. Yet I feel this doesn't even cover a drop in the bucket as to what is actually going on in the world. I thank the author for exploiting this evil and covering it the way he did. Like I said. I live in a bubble and I needed to know and recognize what is going on.

First off, Murph is like Daniel Craig, Tom Cruise, and Liam Neeson all rolled up into one. He is that tough! Kinda like a Timex watch, he takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. I love his character. He and Bones represents the good against the evil. And they don't mind kicking butt and bringing some justice into the world. The light in the darkness. The shepherd going after the one. It seems like a never ending fight that no one will win. The struggle is real.

Secondly, the story line continues as Bones is the record keeper and his twin brother who owns an evil empire seems to come at them at every angle. It is a page turning-staying up all night kind of read.

Lastly, there is tenderness and love for the lost and hurting. There is healing and restoring. There is HOPE.

As I mentioned, it seems like a never ending fight. However, the sheep they find each time they rescue girls and boys from utter horror is a win.
This is the third book in the trilogy and I recommend reading them in order.

A tense conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd series as Murphy is tested in this cat and mouse game. Readers will need to read the Water Keeper and Letter Keeper for a clearer view of this action packed book. Murphy and his dog Gunner make a great team as they will do anything to rescue women and children who are victims of human trafficking.

A Richly Told and Riveting Story

SUMMARY
Murphy Shepherd finds women and children who are victims of human trafficking. His mission in life is to help these victims find their freedom, but he goes the extra mile by assisting them to recover from the ordeal in a safely guarded location called Freetown. When his best friend and mentor Bones is kidnapped, Murphy will stop at nothing to find him. Murphy and his canine partner Gunner shift into high gear, racing across the country and the ocean to find Bones. Murphy quickly discovers that Bones' kidnapper is Bones’ jealous brother, who has eyes and ears everywhere. Murphy must up his technology game and hire computer experts if he wants to win the battle for Bones life.

REVIEW
The Record Keeper Is a richly told and riveting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s both a heart-wrenching and action-packed tale with an admirable protagonist.

Murphy Shepherd, also known as David Bishop, will stop at nothing to save trafficking victims. He is bold, fearless, and determined. Gunner, the quintessential German Shepherd, takes the prize for the best partner/dog ever! The cast of characters is superb. I hesitate even to call them characters because, after three books they all feel like family. You can’t help but feel the intensity and heartache and even wonder how much of this story is true to life.

I love Charles Martin’s books and have read every one of them. This one, while stellar, gave me a little pause. There were a few portions of the story, such as Bones’ horrendous youth, that left me unsettled and uncertain. In this latest novel, Martin seems to push the envelope on the level of intensity of the drama that may have some readers needing an emotional rest.

The Record Keeper is a tale of two brothers, one good and one evil. One of these brothers is a major player in the sex trafficking of children, while the other tries to set these children free from this bondage. It is a well-told story of the shepherd who leaves his flock to go and find the one lost sheep. This book concludes the three-part series featuring the indomitable Murphy Shepherd. Other books in the series include The Water Keeper (2020) and The Letter Keeper (2021). You will want to read all three. Charles Martin’s stories are always eye-opening and fabulous.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advance reading copy of this book. All opinions are my own.


Publisher Thomas Nelson
Published July 5, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

I love this series and I don't know if this is the last book of the series or if there will be more. I'm hoping there could be more, but I will continue reading whatever Charles Martin writes because I love his lyrical voice.

This series has been full of the horrors of child slavery, amazing heroism and bravery, redemption and forgiveness, and most of all love. A sacrificial love that is deep and abiding. This book puts Bones (Murphy's mentor) and his twin brother who is evil to the core in the forefront. Although Murphy had come near death in his last rescue mission, he has no choice but to try to stop Bones' brother.

This book is tense and emotional. I think anyone wanting to read it should read The Water Keeper and The Letter Keeper first to get the background on Murphy and Bones. Their history is important to fully understand the relationship and what drives them. Gunner the dog is a hero too and is always present; he's a great character too. The philosophy taught by Bones and followed by Murphy runs throughout the book and in central to the story.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson--FICTION through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 5, 2022. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

First I will say that I really enjoy reading books by Charles Martin. When I came upon this offering I was so pleased. Since this is the 3rd book in the series, I obtained copies of the first 2 books. In my opinion, the Record Keeper is not really a stand alone, so much would be missed if the first two books weren’t read.

The story follows Murphy Shepard (not his given name) as he helps rescue young adults, mostly girls, from sex trafficking. He also is a writer, but his real name is not known initially. This will make sense while reading, I do not want to add a spoiler. Though the topic of these books might put some people off, to me it gave me faith that there are people out there who are trying to right the wrong.

I’m not sure I could read another book about sex trafficking but I do like Murphy Shepard so I guess I will just have to wait and see if another book comes out.

The book is very well written and the storyline does progress well.

Definitely worth the read. This author is awesome.

The Record Keeper
by Charles Martin
Pub Date: July 5, 2022
Thomas Nelson
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This author was recommended to me years ago, and I have greatly enjoyed reading his books. This is a wonderful conclusion to the series and it is a must-read. I would recommend reading books 1 and 2 first, if possible.
I am so glad that Charles Martin chose to tackle the topic of human trafficking through this trilogy. Trafficking is something that is pervasive in every corner of our society but often overlooked or ignored. As with the other books I should mention that the subject matter is not easy to read. The story is action-packed and clearly calls out what is evil.
I highly recommend this book and will be purchasing it for our library.
5 stars

The Record Keeper gave us a fitting end to a beautiful trilogy. I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was available. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you have read the other two books you will know who Bones is - this is his story. I enjoyed learning more about this “larger than life” character and his brother. Bones story did seem a bit over the top at times, but succeeded in keeping me turning the pages. Murphy Shepherd is another character that I enjoyed watching. He has grown through each book and continues to be a wonderfully flawed main character that you can’t help but root for at every turn. Everyone has a history and a past that made them the person they are today. This book explores that theme.

I am so glad that Charles Martin chose to tackle the topic of human trafficking through this trilogy. Trafficking is something that is pervasive in every corner of our society, but often overlooked or ignored. As with the other books I should mention that the subject matter is not easy to read. The story is action-packed and clearly calls out what is evil.

I highly recommend this trilogy.

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but unfortunately, this one not so much. It was just too heavy on action, and not heavy enough on character development. I definitely could have done without the lavish descriptions of firearms, for one thing. There are those who might enjoy the actions scenes, and maybe that who's this was written for, but definitely not my cup of tea.

If you don’t read The Record Keeper by Charles Martin, you’re going to miss an awesome book. Once you start reading, you are drawn into the story and don’t want to put it down. The book and author are both amazing. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review. All words are my own.

Thriller



Oh my gosh, do I love this series! This is the 3rd book of the Murphy Shepherd series and is the absolute best of the best!

"Because the needs of the one outweigh those of the ninety-nine." This tenet is what Murphy and Bones live by. It's what makes them pursue a kidnapped and exploited person when they are bruised and broken and should probably take a break. Yes, they have religious training, but their goal is to rescue women and children who have been kidnapped and are being trafficked.

In this installment Murphy is still recovering from a wound that almost ended his life. But this time, they aren't just going after the victims they are going after the "head of the snake". By their estimations one man has been responsible for the trafficking of hundreds of thousands of people in the past twenty years. This man is Bones' brother, specifically his twin. They had a horrific childhood and suffered abuse at the hands of many men. At a major turning point in their lives Bones' choose goodness and Frank choose the dark.

Frank is very rich and very brilliant. He has enough money to have created his own internet and can hack anything with a processor. He began attacking Murph and Freetown and their friends to get to Bones. and they need to stop him once and for all. Trouble is a man rich enough to hack any device knows your plans as soon as you make them.

The intricacies of the search for Frank, the tension of the storyline and the overarching theme had me crying and gasping and turning pages as quickly as possible. Most of all, it made me think. What does being kind really cost? Can the smallest of actions really change the world?

Oh, what a book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel. I will be forever grateful to have read this one.

I usually don’t like books in a series and started The Record Keeper with that thought in my mind. This is number 3 in the series.
I thought it would be difficult to follow this book if you haven’t read the previous 2 but not impossible. There are some key information that comes from the first 2 books that aren’t explained in book 3 that adds to the enjoyment and full understanding.
Overall having read his other books, The Record Keeper is an amazing read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, storyline and lessons to be learned. I cannot recommend this book enough.

The Record Keeper, by Charles Martin, is the third and final book in the Murphy Shepherd series and is a highly emotional, enthralling story, and a gripping series on the whole. Charles Martin has an innate gift for writing and storytelling, as well as adding character depth, making a way for a genuine connection with the people you are reading about. His stories impart a deeper, essential message with clarity and insight.

The main theme in this story is human trafficking and decidedly a hard one to read. However, the message of persevering and finding the light in the darkness, the hope in the desolation, righteous ferocity when called for, and the difference between justice and loving acceptance is poignant and meaningful.

The Record Keeper is full of action and will keep you flipping pages, while also seizing your heart. It will leave you pondering the message long after you the close of the book. I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

An incredible conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd series! These books have imprinted themselves on my heart. Such beautiful writing about such a dark subject. I’m just awe struck at the depth, the humanity, the wisdom, the love, and all other emotions that pour out of these amazing books. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the advanced copy.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the eARC of #TheRecordKeeper by Charles Martin.
The Record Keeper is the third book in the Murphy Shepherd trilogy, following The Water Keeper and The Letter Keeper. I read the first two books so naturally this was one of my most anticipated novels of 2022.
I loved all of these books! Charles Martin is one of my favorite authors. If you’ve read any of his books you already know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t then you can start reading the first two novels in this series and preorder The Record Keeper which has a
publication date of July 5, 2022.
Murphy Shepherd is such a great character and needs to be on the big screen. (Here’s hoping 🤗). Charles Martin will have you cheering for Murphy Shepherd and his team while they fight against the purveyors of human trafficking. This is a difficult and timely topic but Charles Martin tells it with heart, hope and great examples of sacrificial love.
Have you read these books or a different Charles Martin novel? What has been your favorite?

Again, thank you @storiedcareer for writing the Murphy Shepherd trilogy and also to @NetGalley for gifting me the eARC for review.

#TheRecordKeeper #NetGalley #ThomasNelson #juliawoodard #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #favoriteauthor #booksbooksbooks #currentlyreading #amreading #bookseries #booktrilogy

Another soul searching story with twists and turns. Charles Martin is an author who once you read one of his books you have to read everything he has written!

I cannot say enough about Charles Martin’s books! I have only read the three in his Murphy Shepherd Series but am looking forward to reading more of his other books in the future. The Record Keeper is the third (and final) book of the series and I recommend reading the first two (The Water Keeper and The Letter Keeper) before reading this one so you can have a full picture of the story that unfolds.

The Record Keeper is full of heart and action and mystery as Murphy Shepherd races against the clock to continue rescuing those that are lost. This book is about human trafficking so some parts are rather disturbing but I am thankful the issue is addressed as it is because trafficking is such a horrific industry that I feel is often overlooked. I am grateful to the author for shedding light on such an atrocity.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Record Keeper will take you on a ride! Murph and Bones are back, in what may be the best of the series, yet. Charles Martin takes us to a different level, as he reveals the depths of where Bones comes from, who he is, and the overwhelming and incredible duties he carries in life. Packed with adventure, tenderness, grit and soul, The Record Keeper is a recommended read!