As the first installment of The Murphy Shepherd series, The Water Keeper does a fantastic job of introducing us to Murphy Shepherd and the strangers that eventually come together to become family. A story of love won and lost. Of redemption. True evil. And also a love that never quits. While the subject of this book hurts my heart, it's also a book that draws me back to the story again and again. The storytelling is top notch, and I love the way the narrator brings the story to life!

3.5 ⭐️
This was a super sweet story. My only really issue was just hot unlikely the circumstances were. I can take a little “what are the chances” moments, but I felt like that is built into this story’s foundation.
I thought there were some super sweet moments, and the characters were all lovable.
If you have triggers having to do with human trafficking, this may not be for you, though they don’t go into extreme depth.
All in all really enjoyed this one.

Murph lives alone on an island, which contains a chapel. He is the groundsman/vicar to his flock of none. But he always goes to save the one. He’s hunting down a girl called Angel, who he saved from a party boat. He’s a bit of a James Bond, his side kick is Summer, who he saved when her (stolen) boat went down.
Turns out there are a lot of these ‘party boats’ which end up as sex trafficking - the girls party and then take on new roles, either onboard or sold to the highest bidder. Murph is on a mission. But there’s more to him than that…..
I loved it. I was absorbed by what kept him going, even when he looked down and out, what drove him and gave him that extra energy.
I found the narration engaging and thought provoking, in some ways saddened by the fact that there is probably truth in the fiction.

I'm not sure about any of you, but I discovered this talented author quite some time ago...and have been HOOKED on his books since! Doesn't matter which one, or what it's about. He writes so beautifully that you are LITERALLY PULLED INTO the story, and it feels like YOU are a PART of it!

That being said, be sure to have tissues handy, as I'm not sure I've ever gotten through one of his books without completely breaking down and outright SOBBING.... at some point. That point today came while I was listening at work... Definitely NOT a good look. BUT, what a terrific book!!!

This is not a new book, in fact, it looks like it was released in 2020...but maybe it is just being released as an audiobook? Not sure, but what a joy to read!
And, also of note, this is book #1 in this series (The Water Keeper. Murphy Shepherd #1), so if it sounds like something you might enjoy, please look this one, and the next few up. A new one is due to be released soon! So, there's that too!!!

We open with seeing a boat on fire... and we're heading towards it. On the boat, there's a bunch of young girls... barely clad in any clothes... The MMC is looking for 'Fingers' and 'Marie' and is trying to get everyone off the boat, alive.... He finds Fingers, but he's pretty badly banged up... and Marie... well, that's a whole other story.

Fast forward and we have Murph, in a chapel, when a young girl appears...drunk or high...looking for the priest. Chance encounter all the way. Murph, is not a priest...and tells her so. But, he is concerned for her, and gives her his number...actually puts it into her phone, but doesn't expect that she'll ever remember the encounter, never mind actually call him.

Fast forward a bit more, and a woman is STEALING a boat... and driving it away. She obviously has no idea what she's doing... but she's trying...

This is only the VERY BEGINNING of the book. It is totally action packed throughout, and the encounters along the way will just light you up, as well as FILL YOU UP... emotionally, then scare you half to death, shatter your heart, and then pick the pieces up and try to melt them back together again… ❤️❤️

And, there are references to Jesus, and the Bible, which in my book, can never steer you wrong!

ALL the stars, and then some for me!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨

If you are able to write a book that brings out EVERY EMOTION, and is able to place you right in the middle of all the action while reading it, well, there is NOTHING BETTER than that in my eyes!!

#TheWaterKeeper by #Charles Martin and narrated brilliantly by #JonathanKRiggs.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelsonAndZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook. I believe the book has already been released, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!

You can also 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!! 📚⭐️

Charles Martin writes a stellar narrative filled with action-packed scenes, believable characters, and multiple love stories. The main character Murphy Shepherd saves people from human trafficking, and, in the process, he teaches them to believe that they are worthy of love. Like other heroic narratives, Shepherd is joined by others, Summer, Ellie, Angel, Clay, and even a Labrador named Gunny. They work together to rescue people who are being held by human traffickers.

There are numerous references to drugs, guns, fights, and nudity. All scenes are handle with the greatest care and respect for the reader / listener. Martin wisely chooses his words, and he uses humor to balance out the darkness. For instance, Shepherd asks Summer: "'You drink coffee?' She rubbed her eyes and attempted a smile. 'People who don’t . . . aren’t people.'" This brief humorous insertions keep narrative from falling into despair. A plethora of action scenes keep the heart racing.

Shepherd endures multiple injuries; he is shot, sliced, and beat. Others ask him why he places himself in danger, and Shepherd responds, "The needs of the one outweigh the ninety-nine." He models self-sacrifice and love for others. But, he is not perfect. Shepherd avoids answering tough questions because he is a broken hero who needs healing. This keeps his character believable.

There are multiple love stories throughout this novel. There are romantic love stories, familial love stories, and friendship love stories. Love is one of the strongest themes. Summer asks Shepherd about love, and he says:

"But love is a difficult thing to kill. Actually, it’s the only thing in this universe or any other that you can’t kill. No weapon that has ever been made can put a dent in it. You might punch it, stab it, whip it, and hang it out to dry—you can even drive a spear through it, pierce its very heart. But all you’re going to get is blood and water, because love gives birth to love.”

Not only are the characters transformed but the reader / listener is also transformed; I was deeply touched.

I want to thank #Thomas Nelson, #Zondervan Audio, and #Netgalley for the complimentary audiobook. The narrator Jonathan K. Riggs has a crisp, clear voice that is pleasant. Riggs keeps the listener engaged.

This book had all the right elements! A love story full of of tragedy and pain that ended with redemption and fulfillment. A mystery and thriller, solved just in time. A main character that was lovable and made you root for throughout. Highly recommend this read, with a perfect amount of faith and religion mixed in. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

The Water Keeper- what a beautiful and unique story. I didn’t want to put it down. I had no idea where the story would go and found myself on the edge of my seat with every chapter. What a crazy turn of events! I’ve never read a Christian fiction with so much adventure. I loved it. Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Charles Martin for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

This was my first read by this author and I’m not sure I’m his target reader. I regularly suspend reality in books but there were just too many coincidences in this one for me. There is a ton of rich description of the Florida coast and I don’t think the writing is poor - it just wasn’t my cup of tea due to what felt a little ridiculous at times.

I did enjoy the narration even though it was more casual. The accent felt authentic and it was well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Kisses

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin is the story of Murphy "Murph" Shepherd, a man with many secrets and a haunted past. He lives alone on an island in Florida, when he's not on a mission or on the water. One day, a young woman named Angel happens upon the island appearing to be in some sort of trouble. Murph tries to help but can only manage to give Angel his phone number in case she would need help. Shortly after this encounter, Murph rescues another women, Angel's mom Summer, and starts down a path into the treacherous and dangerous world of human trafficking.

With help from some unexpected new friends, Murph is racing against the clock to locate Angel before it is too late.

This was my first Charles Martin book and I found it to be an action packed thriller written smartly and structured well. It's really a story of love, friendship, redemption, and forgiveness with the writing absorbing and each the characters written well.

The narration if Jonathan Riggs added greatly to my reading enjoyment here. Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen ad review The Water Keeper.

Oh this book had my heart strings all pulled. It was absolutely beautifully done. I could not get over how well written it was. Loved it!

I had heard amazing things about this book, so I was super excited to get it on audio. & let me tell you, I was not disappointed! It was so heartfelt and impactful, I didn’t want to stop and can’t wait to continue this series!

The Water Keeper - Charles Martin

A well written book brought to life with good narration, The Water Keeper was an engaging listen from beginning to end.
Murph was an enigma and a man of many talents as the star of the story about love, loss, redemption, and forgiveness.
He lives a solitary life looking after a church with no priest and no followers on isolated island.
There are endless twists, turns and danger as Murph races against time and foes to save the girl. Add in an affable labrador Gunner and an ex-con Clay and you’re set for one adventurous boat ride. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for a chance to listen and review his work.

The Water Keeper is the first book by Charles Martin I have read and can I just say, I finally understand what all the hype has been about, and I cannot believe I waited so long to find out for myself. I was engrossed, engaged, gutted, and encouraged all in the span of front to back. Murphy is enigmatic, complex, and yet, so very simple. He desires justice and is good at what he does. The way his character is written is compulsive and purposeful. The side characters are perfectly placed, and no written word takes up wasted space. I am fully hooked and cannot wait to see what is next in store for Murphy, Clay, Summer, and the rest of the characters introduced in this powerful series starter.
I really enjoyed the narrator of this story and felt like he not only captured the characters, but the moods, the settings, and the wide current of emotions that ran deep.
I received a complimentary audiobook version from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This was a fast-paced suspense novel dealing with the tough topic of trafficking. It was jam-packed with the history of the MMC, setting the stage for the books to follow in this series. The novel included friendship, family and romance and definitely tugged at my heartstrings.

I listened to the audio, which was well done.
I received this audio from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

This is my second time around with this book, this time on audiobook. Even with knowing the story, it kept me from beginning to end. The narrator did a great job with it, which to me is a huge feat. Can't recommend it enough.

The story is filled with broken people and Murph rescues them from evil even though he can barely heal his own wounds. He minces no words when it comes to evil like the child traffickers. Evil cannot be bargained with. It cannot be reasoned with. Giving in to evil never satisfies it. Murphy is an expert boatsman. He seems to pick up items saving them from the ocean. Murphy gets help from some unexpected new friends, including a faithful Labrador he plucks from the ocean, and an ex-convict name Clay. Murph races against the clock to locate Summer’s daughter. This expertly woven story weaves many themes throughout the pages. If you have not read Charles Martin please be sure to check out his series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher

Charles Martin is very popular in fiction, so I was thrilled to see what the fuss was about.
The first book in the Murphy Shepherd series is rather low key, setting the scene for what the forthcoming books are likely to involve.
The main character Murphy Shepherd is, as usual, troubled and with secrets, but these underpin his motives for doing the job he does.
I enjoyed this book, although I wouldn't say it set my world alight! But I'll see how the following books fare.

I can't decide if I loved it or hated it. As a nod to those who love this type of story, I give it 4 stars because it really did keep me engrossed. However, the story is totally unrealistic- I mean, come on, all those exact people just HAPPEN to wind up together? And the MMC is more Terminator than man. You just can't stop him. If you can get past the ridiculous coincidences that all tie together, it's a fun story. I agree with other reviewers that the descriptive language was over the top. I have been to many of the locations mentioned and, I get it, so has the author. I can't speak for his knowledge of weaponry but I'm sure his thorough descriptions were accurate, though long winded. All in all, I can't be too upset because I'm really, really mad at the character of Marie and if you've written a story that actually has me mad at a character, you've at least done a decent job. I signed up to read all four books in this series for netgalley, so I expect more of the same warrior with a soft heart trope- not my favorite. If you like Nicholas Spark and Nicholas Evans, you will probably enjoy this book- especially if you're a Liam Nielsen fan. I suggest skipping the audio book, though. This narrator, Jonathan K. Riggs, annoyed me and I have three more books to go...

As always, Charles Martin is a favorite and does not fail to weave an intriguing tale. This first installment in his series about a rugged loner who helps rescue the lost in a trafficking ring is an important one. Not enough is said or even done about this issue, and I'm glad Martin is taking the time to make a series about it. Sometimes it's still hard to imagine that this happens even right here under our noses in this very country, and I am glad to be educated about it.
I admit to being more a fan of his literary style Southern tales of the past, but I will read any words he puts to paper and spread the word about his books whenever I can.
Don't let this one pass you by. Jonathan Riggs does an exceptional job at narrating as well. I could listen to him read just about anything and it fits very well with this story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

Thank you to Charles Martin, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Charles Martin book and I think I have found my new favourite male author! It is SO hard to find Christian books that deal with tough themes as this one does. So often they are too "fluffy" or too afraid to dig in to the hard stuff. The Water Keeper is the perfect mix of gritty topics (human trafficking) and while there are religious undertones and references to scripture it wasn't oozing with the cultish religiousness that Christian literature often can. Highly recommend this for someone looking for a well written, Christian themed book that is more than fluffy romance!

I have already started listening to the second book in this series (The Letter Keeper) and can't wait to continue on with the series after that!