The Keeper by Charles Martin

Murphy Sheperd shows up and shows out in this book! His side kick is the real hero that shows up every time – Gunner is awesome! Every great story has an epic dog and this one is phenomenal!

In this new one, Murphy faces down the worst kind of evil while he is recovering from the loss of his mentor.

“Love shows up!” Best message ever!

This story is heart-wrenching and will keep you on the edge until the end with some mind-blowing twists!

My only critique is that some parts were so long in recounting previous volumes, I sometimes had to heck to see if I was still listening to the latest book.

I truly loved this whole series!

The narrator did a phenomenal job giving depth and personality to the characters. The characters are so beautifully developed. You will fall in love with the whole cast of characters.

Brilliant writing and a beautiful mellow voice in the narration!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review the ARC of this title and thank you so much for introducing me to a new favorite author with an amazing series! 5/5⭐

The Keeper is a gripping installment in the Murphy Shepherd series that blends Christian themes with mystery and romantic suspense. Charles Martin delivers a fast-paced, emotionally charged story centered around grief, healing, and redemption. The plot, driven by a tense kidnapping and layered with heart-wrenching moments, keeps you hooked from start to finish. Jonathan K. Riggs’s narration is outstanding—his voice adds depth and urgency, perfectly matching the suspenseful tone. A powerful continuation of the series that fans won’t want to miss.

A special thankyou to Charles Martin, Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This series is the epitome of why I love NetGalley! I am not sure I would have found this series otherwise and it now belongs in my short list of favorites series of all time! ❤
The Keeper is Book 4 of the Murphy Shephard series. I was thankful that it was marked part of a series. I decided to read The Water Keeper first and kept going through to The Keeper. The series follows Bones and Murphy as they tackle the human trafficking trade and rescuing them from the dark underworld of sex slavery. While the series centers around their work, it is so much more! Readers are drawn into the lives of Bones and Murphy and their "dysfunctional" family. It is difficult to write a review without spoilers so I will just say that Bones and Murphy's relationship continues regardless of the tragedy that occurred in The Record Keeper. We get a chance to focus on a few other characters while Bones takes a back seat for a bit. This story tears your heart out one minute and then gives you endless hope and joy the next. I haven't ugly cried like this in as long as I can remember. Charles Martin is a beautiful wordsmith. The books read like poetry more than a novel at times. The Keeper was released April 1st, 2025 and based on the way it ended I will be eagerly waiting the next book!!

The Murphy Shepherd series:
1: The Water Keeper
2: The Letter Keeper
3: The Record Keeper
4: The Keeper

Murphy Shepherd has lost his best friend and mentor, Bones (a significant early part of the book recounts their relationship) , and now must carry on their mission of finding trafficked girls. Austin Ashley is currently the Vice President of the U.S. and the odds on favorite to be elected the next president. Someone manages to kidnap his daughters, leaving nine secret service agents dead. Murph is called in and he and his team set out (on what seems to be be an impossible mission) to save these girls. The search uncovers who has pushed this crime, including high level government officials. This is a long and rambling novel with enough action to keep you interested, but also with deep dives into love and relationships and religion - not to mention the human trafficking. Not overbearing but what I think is Martin’s trademark.

This is the 4th book in Martin’s Murphy Shepherd series. I did not know that when I requested the audiobook from the publisher. I think it would have been an easier read if I had read the earlier editions although the author apparently makes several references to the past books. Two additional thoughts on the audiobook. First, the narrator, Jonathan Riggs, was excellent (something critical when listening to audiobooks). Second, this was a very, very long “listen” - almost 15 hours. I hope I can find the time to go back and read the earlier books in this series - particularly to connect with Bones. My thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing the pre-release recording of this book.

I have been a huge fan of Charles Martin since my bookclub read, When the Cricket Cry. That pulled me in and I have read every book written since then. And the Murphy Shepherd series has been one that has touched me and had me sobbing tears as I got lost in the story of Murphy, Bones, the people of Freetown, and the other characters who are rescued by the people who feel that the “needs of one outweigh those of the ninety-nine.” You have to read the book to really understand the depth of that statement. But, before I go any further, you need to go back to the first book and start at the beginning to understand the lengths Murphy and Bones go to in order to tackle the harsh reality of human trafficking. Charles Martin takes a difficult topic and weaves through the hope of being found and God’s love will never give up on you. There are some twists and turns and your heart will ache as Murphy learns how to navigate life without Bones being a part of his support network and encourager. His heart is broken and his struggle to deal with this loss is heartwrenching. I love what one reviewer, Ebos Aifuobhokhan, wrote: People hurt by others, but transformed into a beautiful mosaic by love of the Shepherd. A story of grief, healing (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), love, and loss ... you will not want to put the book down until you have absorbed every word and emotion and closed the back cover with a sigh. Put this one at the top of your to-be-read list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Christian
Contemporary
Inspirational
Suspense

I love these books. I sat here trying to figure out how to start this review and all I could land on was that. These books encompass adventure, romance, hope, and have the gospel threaded throughout.

This is a four book series and although you could probably read this as a standalone, you don't want to. This series is full of rich character development, building on previous plot lines, and complexities you would miss out on enjoying reading them out of order.

I'm selfish and want as much of this series that Charles Martin is willing to write.
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At the end of the first three, we as readers and Charles Martin as a writer said he was done with these books. But we all needed to return. We needed to go through the journey of emotions the closing of book 3 sent us on and this story is so rich and doesn’t pull any punches that by the end, I could not see how this series could exist without this edition. Plus, we not only got a continuation of the story of the first three books, but we got backstory on the two main characters that added a whole new layer of meaning to it all.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin has it all! Action, adventure, emotions, a little romance, spirituality, good against evil, and underlying stories of resilience courage that prevails no matter what.

The Keeper is the fourth book of the Murphy Shepard series. “Murph” is our hero how rescues young, sex-trafficked girls across the world for the US government and is also a trained priest. He’s already been through so much as a child and teen and then enrolls in the government program to use his skills to find missing girls who no one cares about anymore.

In The Keeper, Murph is assigned a new task of helping find the kidnapped daughters to the Vice President. He is still reeling with the emotional trauma of losing his mentor and best friend “Bones”, who he could not save in book 3. He is lost without his friend and mentor as his guide and does a lot of soul searching as he continues to do his job of rescue kidnapped kids and get to the bad people behind it.

This story has twists and turns throughout the entire story that keep you glued to storyline and you are guessing what comes next the entire time.

In my opinion, this fourth installment of this series has been the best!

The pace of the book is perfect. It’s fast and exciting to keep you waiting for what is next. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was great. He kept the pace and momentum going perfectly. He wants you to feel as you are in the story with all the characters.

I am looking forward to seeing if there is more books in this series.

Another great addition to the Murphy Shepherd series. The author delivers the same poignant, thought-provoking story that I've come to expect, and he delves some more into the history of the main characters. I enjoyed the addition of new characters and a slightly different storyline - it all came together perfectly, and I'm looking forward to more books in this series in the future.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a crime/thriller novel. I'm a new fan of this style of Christian fiction - it's not too intense on religion and still packs a punch with the action. Each book has played out like a movie in my head while I'm reading and has left me reflecting on life. I did find this story a lot more repetitive and has more 'flashbacks' than the previous books, but it's possible that I noticed it more because I'd just finished the first 3 books in quick succession. I feel that this book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel as there is enough backstory introduced to allow new readers to follow the story. I do recommend reading the entire series though to have better understanding and enjoyment.

Johnathan K. Riggs once again delivers impeccable narration of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, HaperCollins Christian Publishing, and the author for a complimentary arc for review. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

EXCERPT: PROLOGUE
Somewhere on the dark web in an encrypted chat room:
MAN 1: "Money received. Target address?"
MAN 2: "See attachment."
MAN 1: "Security protocols?"
MAN 2: "Same package."
MAN 1: "House schematics?"
MAN 2: "Same."
MAN 1: "Target?"
MAN 2:"Three. And I want them all."
MAN 1: "Collaterals?"
MAN 2: "The mother. Hands off. Not to be harmed."
MAN 1: "Dogs?"
MAN 2: "Yes."
MAN 1: "Trained?"
MAN 2: "Very."
MAN 1: "Father?"
MAN 2: "Away."
MAN 1: "Secret Service?"
MAN 2: "Make a statement."
MAN 1: "Define 'statement'."
MAN 2: "Leave bodies."
MAN 1: "Orders following extraction?"
MAN 2: "Photographed. Then taken and held at this address until further notice."
MAN 1: "And once there?"
MAN 2: "Keep them alive."
MAN 1: "Any restrictions? I need to be specific with my men."

A pause.

MAN 2: "The spoils of war. Enjoy the fruits of your labor."
MAN 1: "Much obliged."
MAN 2: "Pleasure doing business with you."

ABOUT 'THE KEEPER': Murphy knows Bones didn't hesitate to give his life to stop the evil perpetuated by his brother, but there's still work to be done. Though Frank is gone, his organization is not, and almost even before Bones's funeral in Arlington is complete, Murph receives a call that the three daughters of presidential hopeful Aaron Ashley have been taken and there are no leads.

The girls' lives on the line and time is of the essence. But Murphy has never done this without Bones. How can he grieve his friend and mentor, figure out who he is without Bones, and navigate a new role for himself with team . . . all while putting total focus into finding these daughters?

When his daughters are finally rescued, Ashley steps back from the presidential race. But Murph knows something about the timing is a little too convenient for the senator who steps in to take his place. The far-reaching tendrils of Frank's organization are entangled even here, and Murph and his team will stop at nothing to root them out.

MY THOUGHTS: I love Charles Martin's writing and have enjoyed this series but think this may just be my last visit with Murphy Shepherd.

The Keeper is very long and repetitious. There is one very long section basically pasted and copied from the previous book, The Record Keeper. I commented in my review of The Record Keeper that I had 'a few rolled eyes at the pages detailing bullet trajectories and other technical information (just a tad TOO MUCH, Mr Martin), and I have exactly the same comment on The Keeper - FAR TOO MUCH TECHNICAL INFORMATION, Mr Martin. If you are a reader and not an aspiring marksman, just how many lectures on bullet trajectories does one person need?

And again, far too much information in the blurb. It's okay to know that the three daughters of the US presidential hopeful, Aaron Ashley, have been kidnapped. It ruins the tension of the read knowing, before we even start, that they get rescued.

Other than the unwarranted repetition and excess of technical information, The Keeper is action packed and beautifully written. I applaud Charles Martin for his recurring themes of the fight against human trafficking and the rehabilitation of the trafficked. In The Keeper, Martin also highlights the abuse of power and trust.

I love Charles Martin's beautiful and empathetic writing. Even during the darkest moments of this narrative, the was always the light of faith, love and hope shining. While I may be parting company with this series, I will continue to read his stand-alones, of which 'Chasing Fireflies' is so far my favorite.

If you are a fan of technical thrillers, the Murphy Shepherd series is for you. But please do start at the beginning to get the full benefit of the history between Murph and Bones and their relationships with the other characters.

I was able to complement reading with listening to The Keeper by Charles Martin and narrated by Jonathan Riggs. As always, Riggs narration is superb. Please note that the repetition of large chunks of information and all the technical intricacies detailed mean that this is an extremely long book. The audio is 14 hours and 52 minutes in length, the book in excess of 400 pages.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheKeeper #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Christy and I married in 1993. If you include dating, I’ve known and loved her for more than half my life. She is and always will be the home for my heart. We have three boys. Charlie, John T. and Rives. Folks often ask me, which of my books do I like the best. You might as well line up my sons and ask me who I love the most.

My hobbies are bow hunting, working out (a blend of old school stuff and martial arts, called Fight Fit) and Tae Kwon Do. In October 2012 I earned my black belt but I’m still the least flexible person you’ve ever met. The guy that trains me, laughs everytime I start warming up. My boys are far better at Tae Kwon Do than I but I doubt they have as much fun – I get to do and watch. They just do.

I also like to write, but that’s another story. (source - charlesmartinbooks.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC and an audio ARC of The Keeper by Charles Martin for review. The audio ARC is narrated by Jonathan Riggs. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This is the fourth installment in the Keeper series, which do need to be read in order for full understanding and context. Charles Martin is a favorite author for a reason...he crafts stories with beautiful prose, lots of depth, a faith-based message and characters who make real mistakes with messy, relatable pasts and hope for the future.
There are some surprises in this one sure to bring a tear or two. Like the others in the series it had action scenes and strategic lead-ups in the continued fight against trafficking. I am so glad Martin does not shy away from this topic and puts it out into the light.
I also love to listen to this series narrated by Jonathan Riggs. He does a stellar job and has just the right soothing tone and accent.
I also love Martin's Southern-style stand-alone novels and can't wait to hear when that next one might be. In the meantime hopefully we'll get to see some more of his stories adapted for the big screen!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Charles Martin delivers another deeply emotional and immersive story with The Keeper, a novel that explores the bonds between people and the lessons learned through shared experiences. The audiobook, narrated with care, brings the story to life in a way that enhances its emotional weight.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the detailed storytelling. Martin crafts a vivid world, allowing readers (or listeners) to gain a deep appreciation for the unique profession and responsibilities of the characters. The depth of research and realism adds authenticity, making the listener feel connected to the story’s themes of loyalty, duty, and personal growth.

While the detail adds richness, the pacing may feel a bit prolonged at times. Some sections could have been more concise without losing the story’s emotional impact. However, for those who appreciate a thorough and immersive narrative, the length contributes to the depth of the characters and their journey.

Overall, The Keeper is a heartfelt and thought-provoking listen, offering an insightful look into a remarkable profession while delivering the signature emotional depth Charles Martin is known for. Despite its length, the audiobook remains engaging, especially for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a strong emotional core.

I was so excited to read this series! It's a gripping story from the beginning, and it's perfect for the reader who wants a mystery that still holds lots of emotion and depth. This is a beautiful story and absolutely worth the read!

3.5 stars, rounded down for too much repetition.

I love Martin's writing and I really like this series, but I felt like this book was much too long and repetitive. There is a huge amount of backstory and lots of telling. There's a bit of action but it gets really lost in the reminiscing and remembering. It could have been 100 pages shorter and still been very impactful.

This is the fourth book in the series and I think it is necessary to read the first three before this one as you will be incredibly lost as to who the people are and how they are connected to each other.

The faith message is beautiful and the examination of human trafficking, loss, grief, and power is both fascinating and touching. I have really liked this series, but I feel like the story is been there, done that, we need to move on now. I listened to most of this series as audiobooks, and the narrator Jonathan Riggs does a fantastic job giving voice to David's first person storytelling.

Overall I do recommend this series with its beautiful message about how valuable and important each person's life is and is worth saving.

Happy Publication Day!!

Murphy Shepherd has a hard time without his mentor and friend Bones. But he receives a call that the presidential candidate's daughters have been taken and he has to help get them back. He has to put his grief aside to get the girls back.

I don't want to give away any spoilers but this book was exciting, intriguing and action packed with twists thrown in. This book also brings attention to human trafficking, which is a topic that isn't really discussed. I feel like this book is heartbreaking in places and filled with joy in others, and the book has a good message. I definitely shed some tears throughout the story.

If you haven't read books 1-3, I highly recommend going to the beginning and start with those ones, however, the author does a great job of filling in the gaps from the previous books and doesn't leave you wondering what happened previously. I did find there were actually a lot of flashback scenes to this that didn't add to the story but it still made the book good.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narration by Jonathan K. Riggs was just on point. The pace was great and the characters were easy to distinguish.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start?
I started crying in the beginning.
Continued crying in the middle… and then cried multiple other times throughout! 🫣😢🥹
Don’t get me wrong…. There were tears of sadness, yes!
But… there were also tears of happiness, of love and mostly… of joy!

**** WARNING- IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOKS 1 thru 3…. STOP. 🛑 🛑 RIGHT. 🛑🛑 HERE!! ****
Please go back and read them first! It will make so much more sense if you read them in order!

We open up with Murph grieving the death of his long-time friend and mentor, Bones.
This is NOT a spoiler. This is how book #3 ended. But for me, the flood gates opened up all over again!

Murph and Bones shared such a beautiful, special bond… and it seems like even through death… it will still shine through! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Much of the book recounts past stories from previous books, as well as how the two met and formed the bonds they had through the years….❤️

Additionally, there are other problems coming to the surface now that Frank is also dead! And these problems present themselves right in front of Murph and his crew. So, although ALL he wants to do is mourn the death of his friend, he must get back to work. And… God Bless his wife, Summer… for being the powerhouse supporter that she is! It seems like she will be the new anchor that Murph had lost in Bones. ❤️ And, she will guide him. 🥹

Once again human (and child) trafficking is highlighted in this one. And it seems to really hit very close to home too! And, as usual, time is of the essence!!

As Murph assembles a team to try to do the impossible, once again, well…things are quickly changing in the government… and more specifically, The White House! Who can he trust? Who can he rely on?

Also love the aspect that God is subtly interspersed throughout the book. Not thrown in your face, but whispered in a prayer… or echoed in some guidance that’s offered. This is truly a remarkable talent on the authors part, and fully appreciated by this reader!

And then, of course, there’s the backdrop phrase of the entire series…. ‘BECAUSE THE NEEDS OF THE ONE OUTWEIGH THOSE OF THE NINETY-NINE!!’ Which is why Murph will ALWAYS go back for that ONE who is suffering, mistreated, or left behind by someone else…

Truly HEART-WRENCHING words!!!

And,let me just say again…. Charles Martin is a very gifted, talented writer who weaves a book together where YOU feel like you are a part of it, and the characters in the book are like your family… or friends. And for this, I will strive to read each and every book he ever writes!!!! He. Is. Terrific!

ONCE AGAIN, ALL THE STARS (AND THEN SOME) for me!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨

#TheKeeper by the one and only #CharlesMartin and narrated phenomenally by #JonathanKRiggs, who has narrated the entire series and truly brings each character in every book to life!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing and #ThomasNelsonFiction for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is tomorrow, 4/1/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves soon !! ***

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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!! 📚⭐️

The 4th book in the Murphy Shepherd series was yet again another emotional read. Following the death of Bones, Murphy is at loose ends. Bones wasn’t just his best friend, he was his teacher and mentor.

Even though in the previous book the head of a human trafficking ring was killed. That doesn’t mean the end of this barbaric group. What follows here in The Keeper is a prime example of how powerful it is. This was a gripping story that is slightly repetitive in that it goes over things from the previous books which would work for those that have not read them or those who have not binge read this series like myself. However, I feel for this series you really do need to start with book 1 to really feel the emotional impact as each story continues.

Again, this was a telling story that does come with some action. There are the great characters that I have come to love, including Gunnar the dog who is part of the gang. A twisty story that took this reader on a ride that felt a little bit more predictable than his previous books.

Will there be a sequel to this one? I’m not sure. But for now I will dive into Charles Martin's backlist, though I wish Jonathan K. Riggs was the narrator of some of those because he did an awesome job with this series.

My only criticism about the series is that the endorsements state two well known authors that combined is what the series is made of. To me that is off-putting as one of the authors is one I do not read anymore, and I feel that could be a deterrent for possible readers.

My thanks to Harper Collins for the e-audio (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

This is the fourth book in the Sheperd Murphy book series.

Yes, there are times once again where the author repeats parts of other books...I swear word for word. Also, you get a great lesson on the history of specific weapons. Which was interesting.

I do like how this book tied a few things up from the past books. I like the addition to Murph's team and the opportunity for second chances. These books are about human trafficking and recreating yourself after you are found.

Murphy Shepherd is back in this fourth book dealing with the emotional turmoil of losing his mentor. Despite knocking out the lead of the human trafficking ring, his organization is still active and has targeted the presidential hopeful, Aaron Ashley’s family. Murphy must now find Aaron’s family without his mentors help this time.

This Christian based book still packs an emotional heart breaking punch, but feels more introspective and slightly repetitive from the past books. Despite some of the repetitiveness, I would recommend reading the others first to lay some of the groundwork for this one. The first half, being the more introspective, was a slower pace. The second half picks up the pace and throws in a couple of interesting and unexpected twists. As with his other books, faith and family are strong themes.

3.5 stars. This was a mixed bag for me.

Great action and heart as I’ve come to expect from this author and series.

I wanted to love it fully, but unfortunately for me, this one dragged and felt a bit clunky. Lots of flashbacks and tangents that took me out of the flow of the story.

I spent the last week binge reading this series after my book club kept saying how good the series is. It did not let me down. It was action packed. Murphy and Bones are two rememberable characters but Gunnar, the dog, takes top spot in my heart. This latest book in the series felt a little repetitive to me I believe because I binge read the series but I think it would be super helpful for those who had a gap between the first three books and this one. Overall, I loved where this book took us and would recommend.