Phenomenal book about a really difficult subject. I didn’t realize at first it was a series but you can listen to this one without having already read or listened to the first three.
I can say I enjoyed this book enough that I want to read or listen to the first three in the series.

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.

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!

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!

The Fourth book in the Murphy Shepard series, I had not read the previous books and could follow the story but believe reading the previous books will have the reader more vested in the storylines. This was a fast-paced action-adventure story I couldn't put down. The subject matter is serious and important. The author does a great job of explaining how sex trafficking works and why it exists; it’s something I've never understood. Charles Martin shows how it takes a collaborative effort to keep up and stop traffickers, which explains why they’re hard to catch and how they get away with so much. The friendship between Murphy and Camp starts developing into what Bones and Murph had. Camp brings out an extra layer to Murph’s personality. The author does such a good job of character development that I felt like I actually came to care about a lot of the characters. One thing that really resonates for me in this book is identity… Loving yourself and caring about yourself and believing that you are worthy of love.
Thanks to netgalley, Charles Martin and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity.

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

4.5⭐️
This series has me in a choke hold! I could listen to this narrator read my grocery list.

I was so excited to step back in Murphy Shepherd's world. In this one, we begin to see what a world without Bones looks like and how to accept this loss. While everyone is still grieving, the Vice President's three daughters are kidnapped. Murphy and all of Hopetown do what they do best to try and bring the girls home.

There are many flashbacks in this book that I sometimes struggled to follow which timeline I was in, but the flashback did help remind me of important detail that may have been forgotten from previous books.

I have found all of the main characters to be very likable and really love the "found family" aspect in all of the Murphy Shephard books.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook. Book #4 in the Murphy Shepherd series and probably my least favorite of them, but it was still really good. I felt like there were parts that were unnecessary and too much. Absolutely love this narrator though and the fact that it sounds like there will be a book #5 in the future!

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.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for the ARC of The Keepers in exchange for feedback.
The Keepers is the 4th book in the Murphy Shepherd series. I have not read the other books in the series, but was able to follow along fine.
When the 3 daughters of the Vice President are taken,
Murphy is sent to rescue the girls without the help of his mentor Bones.
Murphy and Bones are part of a non-profit that rescues those taken by human trafficking. Although the book could have been very dark and hard to read, the power of friendships, sense of duty, and love shine through the characters.
Enjoyed the book and characters, will be reading others in the series.

The writing in this book is truly something special. From the first few lines, I found myself completely drawn into the world the author created. There’s an authenticity to the way the characters’ emotions are portrayed—everything felt genuine, from their struggles to their quiet moments of reflection. The author has this incredible ability to capture the complexity of relationships and personal growth in such a natural, unforced way.

I especially appreciated how the emotions weren’t rushed or overly dramatized. The story unfolded in a way that felt real—no shortcuts, no gimmicks—just honest moments between characters that left a deep impact. Even the smaller, more intimate exchanges carried weight, and that’s something I don’t come across often in stories like this.

The narrator’s voice truly brought the characters and the emotions to life, adding depth and resonance to the writing. The way they brought out the subtleties of the dialogue made each moment feel even more poignant. It wasn’t just a performance—it was an experience.

As this is the last book in the series, it was clear that the author put everything into giving the characters and their journey the proper resolution. It felt like a fitting end, with everything wrapping up in a way that felt earned and fulfilling.

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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.

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!

Another great novel from Charles Martin that brings all the emotions. Martin does a great job of keeping the story line and characters moving. Can't wait for the next Murphy Shepherd book.

In this fourth book in the Murphy Shepherd series, 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?

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