Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the gifted book I read along with the library audio!

After his last mission got wildly personal, Murphy Shepherd is now fully entrenched in a revenge mission that is making him use every fiber of his mental and physical acuity to defeat the enemy.

This third book in the series is the resolution I didn't even know I was craving. It is suspenseful and poignant at the same time. Martin is the kind of writer that wraps their arm around your shoulder and guides you through the ups and downs of the narrative. And in this third book his writing style really shines as he brings home the themes of this series in the most touching of ways and the resolution is so bittersweet that you can't help but feel all the feelings.

Charles Martin is a master with the pen. I just finished The Record Keeper and it was amazing. I loved it.

Review: The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

I went into The Record Keeper without realizing it was the fourth book in a series, and it took me about 100 pages to figure that out. As a result, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up, missing key backstory and character relationships that were clearly established in earlier books. While the writing itself is strong, and Charles Martin has a clear talent for blending emotional depth with high-stakes action, I struggled to fully connect with the story.

Murphy Shepherd is an intriguing protagonist—both tough and deeply compassionate—but since I didn’t have the context of his previous missions or relationships, some of his choices and motivations felt unclear. The central plot, involving a dangerous rescue mission and the search for a missing mentor, had moments of tension and heartfelt emotion, but without the foundation of the earlier books, I found myself more confused than engaged at times.

That said, Martin’s writing is undeniably compelling, and the themes of redemption, sacrifice, and love are powerfully woven throughout. Fans of the series will likely find this a satisfying continuation, but for anyone new to Murphy Shepherd’s world, I’d recommend starting from the beginning to get the full experience.

The Record Keeper is the third novel in the Murphy Shepherd series and continues to address the serious issue of human trafficking. It is action packed the through the entire story!
Jonathan K. Riggs is such a wonderful narrator.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved this series so much and it so easily moved it's way into my #1 favorite series of all time. I have come to love Martin's writing and he is an auto buy/read author for me. I am looking forward to The Keeper but also dread that this series will be coming to an end. Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this wonderful book.

This "Christian" book is a thriller. Get ready for a rough ride if that is your preferred genre. A gripping saga, not for the faint of heart. We didn't realize the nature of this novel.