Here are two in a series of four books by author Charles Martin. The series (so far) includes “The Water Keeper”– which I gave to a friend — “The Letter Keeper” and “The Record Keeper,” which I’ve read and still own. The fourth, “The Keeper,” I’m waiting for it to come out in paperback.
One of my blogging friends suggested these books to me. I wish I remembered who. (If it was you, thanks! Please let me know in the comments.) Because the subject matter is rescuing and helping sex-trafficked children recover, my blogger friend knew that I donate time to a sex-trafficking residential recovery center. If you missed reading about my visit last week to the Phoenix Dream Center — Where Hope Lives, and the ribbon cutting for our Mother’s Kitchen — you can read it HERE.
In the “Murphy Shepherd” series, also known as the “Keeper” books, the protagonist hero has helped develop and support an entire town in the Colorado Rockies dedicated to sex-trafficked victims recovery. Not only that, but he makes the dangerous rescues. There’s also more to his story and what he does, but in the reverse of a spoiler alert, I’m not saying another word.
Here’s a snipped of a review of “The Water Keeper” from Charles Martin’s website, written by one of his son:
I can’t explain to you enough the rollercoaster of emotions I faced while reading this… I laughed. At times I didn’t breathe. Other times I read really fast in anticipation and suspense- and then re-read to make sure I didn’t miss anything important. At times I fist pumped in celebration. I even shouted a couple times in celebration and relief. But then yes, I also shed a tear or two. Then I cussed. Then I cussed at my dad. Then I cussed out my dad because he did the whole “rip-your-heart-in-half-thing” that we all love/hate him for. Then I repented of those because the next scene was usually one where he pulled the whole “blind-side-rug-out-from-under-you” move and I was fist pumping in celebration again.
Here’s a snippet from the description from Amazon:
With Charles Martin’s trademark lyricism and poignant prose, The Water Keeper is at once a tender love story, a heartrending search for freedom, an exploration of the terrible cost of human trafficking, and an anthem to the power of love to create change when it shows up regardless of the cost.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, well written series of novels with characters you can’t get out of your head, I highly recommend Martin’s Murphy Shepherd series. He’s also written a number of other books. I’ve read a couple including “When Crickets Cry,” which I recommend. Martin writes beautifully and does his research.
If you’ve read Charles Martin’s books, which one did you like best?
What books are you reading now and what can you recommend?
I’m not familiar with this author and these books. They sound deeper than my usual reading preferences. I just finished How Georgia Became O’Keeffe by Karen Karbo. It’s biographical look at G.O.’s life presented as life lessons. The author has a chatty, almost blog-like, voice. I enjoyed it.
That’s sounds like a very interesting book. I’ll put that on my list. I enjoy biographies. The Charles Martin series is action packed with romance. The protagonist is portrayed as a super hero with a soft side and another career, like Clark Kent. I could see these books as movies. It’s not as deep as I may have portrayed. It’s about good vs. evil with good winning out.
Much like Ally Bean noted this series would probably not be one that would catch my eye for many reasons, although my opinions on books seem to be all over the place lately! I am reading various books on aging and all that is involved with that, up to and including planning for end of life things. Probably not a topic many people want to delve into 😉
I think the books you’re reading are important for us at our age to explore. But, not something I’d love to read. The Charles Martin books are not a genre I read, because I’ve never been an adventure/action reader. But because of the topic I was involved with, I went ahead and read the first one. His writing is beautiful and his characters are in depth. It’s not what I was expecting. I hope he writes more. But maybe he ties it all up in the end with the fourth book.
I was surprised at how much I appreciated North Woods….hated it when I started
Isn’t that treat to stick with a book you don’t like and have it turn out?
Twice recently!!
I was surprised with the books I wrote about today. I lile the characters, the writing and the pace. I wouldn’t be reading the series otherwise.
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Oh wow, a tough topic, but your review makes Martin’s books sound good. His son’s comment too – “whole “rip-your-heart-in-half-thing” that we all love/hate him for.” Wow. I’m going to have to look them up in the library.
It’s a tough topic, but Martin dwells on the rescue and recovery rather than gory details. If you read them, be sure to tell me your thoughts.
That’s good to know. I can be a bit squeamish on details like that. Yea, it will be a different book for me. I’ll let you know when I read it.
He’s an excellent writer and his character development is so good!
Yes, I want to know your thoughts, too! 🙂 I am so glad I found his books.
They are excellent!
Wow – what an incredible review. So neat it’s by his soon. I’m sure Charles Martin has many accomplishments but I bet that one counts for a lot! <3
Isn’t that great. That was only a small bit of it. I found it on the Charles Martin website. I think he’s written more than 20 books.
Certainly not my usual type of read. Not sure if I’ll delve in there or not. I reviewed “Orbital” on my author reads blog today. I’m busy reading philosophy in the form of Ryan Holiday’s books, recommended by LA. They are really helping me through some issues. For book club, reading “Angle of Repose” by Wallace Stegner. I put it down many years ago when it was a community read book. But I’m enjoying it now, partly because it relates to my writing work. I am also finding his writing of dialogue is so well done. That’s something I have no talent for.
I get that people don’t want to read about sex trafficking. It sounds really intense. This series makes you aware that people are involved in the business without getting into any nitty gritty. I got attached to the characters — even the dog who helps rescue victims and then comforts them. I love stories with good dogs! The main character is a former priest and a novelist, which is an interesting take on a guy rescuing kids.
I don’t think I did an adequate job describing
Martin’s books. I updated my review to add a paragraph from the Amazon listing after the son’s review.
Sounds like a very interesting set of books Elizabeth.
They are focused on good vs. evil and the characters are so good.
I’ll see if I can find them here. Thanks for the recommendation
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This is right up your alley, given what you are championing for with your volunteer time. I’ve never been one to read a ‘series’ but I’m not saying I’m against it, just hasn’t happened yet.
I just finished The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. It was superb!
I went to high school and college with Kristin. I don’t have fond memories of her to say the least.
WHAT? You must share. She’s a great writer, but that doesn’t always equate to a great human.
I went into detail in my reply and then deleted it earlier today. So here it goes…. We lived in a small rural town. Three hundred in my high school class. Town of 5,000. She moved into town during our freshman year of high school. A counselor asked me to take Kristin under my wing when she arrived. I thought we were friends. I went to her house after school, we had lunch together, etc. Then one day she asked me who the popular kids were. Then she never talked to me again in high school. I was shy, a nerd, and on the fringes of the “popular group.” I think she became a cheerleader and started dating a senior football player as a freshman. I was out.
Ughhhh. That is NOT cool, whatsoever. People can be so shallow. I’m gonna hope she grew out of that and can see the err in her ways? Or, she’s just a crappy person. 😂
My mom called those people “social climbers.” Kristin’s reached the pinnacle of the climb. Maybe she’s a kinder, deeper person than a new kid in a new town in high school wanting to fit in and be popular.
Let’s hope.
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I am soo glad I didn’t miss this post. Late, but I found it!
Yay!! It was me that told you about the books. 😊 Soo glad you enjoyed them! I thought they would touch your heart and glad they did. They are powerful, aren’t they. His son says it very well!! How touched Charles had to be by that.
My husband got me When Crickets Cry for Christmas, and I loved it! Hard to say, which is my best for they all are different but yet so good.
He is such an excellent writer. Thank you so much for introducing me to his books. I thought it was you, but wasn’t sure. Sex trafficking, especially of children isn’t a topic people want to read about. But the books don’t get into details. They basically let the world know the problem is out there. A lot of the comments on this post are about how the books don’t sound like their cup of tea. We’re having the same problem with our women’s group that fund raises for sex trafficking victims. Members are wanting a different charity to help.
You are most welcome! 💕
I read the comments and was wanring to comment on each one, but I didn’t. Yes, it is not a feel-good read, but its such a huge problem!! We can’t ignore it just because it doesn’t make us feel good!
I was going to write an entire blog post about it, but maybe sometime in the future. I’m sad that my women’s group, after supporting the Dream Center, isn’t growing and adding members. It was brought up at a board meeting that women are put off by sex trafficking. We aren’t the ones promoting or carrying it out! We are helping women get care, have a safe place to live and return to society with a future. I don’t know a more worthy cause, but in the past the group was five times as big and they helped underprivileged women and children. I’d say those who were sex trafficked are underprivileged.
Definitely underprivileged!! 🥺
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