The Water Keeper (A Murphy Shepherd Novel)

by Charles Martin

Hardcover, 2020

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Genres

Series

Murphy Shepherd (1)

Publication

Thomas Nelson (2020), 352 pages

Original publication date

2020-05-05

Description

Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Christian Fiction. HTML: A riveting story of heroism, heartache, and the power of love to heal all wounds by New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin. Murphy Shepherd is a man with many secrets. He lives alone on an island, tending the grounds of a church with no parishioners, and he's dedicated his life to rescuing those in peril. But as he mourns the loss of his mentor and friend, Murph himself may be more lost than he realizes. When he pulls a beautiful woman named Summer out of Florida's Intracoastal Waterway, Murph's mission to lay his mentor to rest at the end of the world takes a dangerous turn. Drawn to Summer, and desperate to find her missing daughter, Murph is pulled deeper and deeper into the dark and dangerous world of modern-day slavery. With help from some unexpected new friends, including a faithful Labrador he plucks from the ocean and an ex-convict named Clay, Murph must race against the clock to locate the girl before he is consumed by the secrets of his past�??and the ghosts who tried to bury them. With Charles Martin's trademark lyricism and poignant prose, The Water Keeper is at once a tender love story and a heartrending search for freedom. "Charles Martin fans rejoice, because he's done it again . . . a multilayered story woven together with grace and redemption, and packed tight with tension and achingly real characters." �??Lauren Denton, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Hideaway Part of The Murphy Shepherd series: Book 1: The Water Keeper Book 2: The Letter Keeper Book 3: The Record Keeper Coming July 2022!) Full-length novel Includes discussion questions for book clubs Also by Charles Martin: The Mountain Between Us, Send Down the Rain, Long Way Gone, When Crickets Cry, Chasing Fireflies… (more)

Language

English

Original language

English

Physical description

352 p.; 9.5 inches

ISBN

0785230912 / 9780785230915

User reviews

LibraryThing member jo2son

A heartbreaking story about a man who has made it his life's mission to rescue girls and young women from slavery in and around Florida. Lyrical and detailed descriptions make you feel as if you are along for the ride. That being said, the writing felt a bit rushed toward the end. It also felt like

the end was being written for an action movie. Some of the things the severely injured protagonist was able to do seemed to be humanly impossible. Still, this book is not easily forgotten and definitely a recommended read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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LibraryThing member tamidale

This was my second book by Charles Martin and I enjoyed it even more than the first one I read. It was a bit of a slow and confusing start, but well worth the payoff to stay the course.

Murphy, the main character, is a bit of a contradiction. He’s also full of secrets—or at least information

that he chooses to keep to himself, revealing information only as needed. Murphy has found fulfillment in finding victims of human trafficking. The focus of the story is about the love that led Murphy to rescue victims and also led to his “other profession.”

The story was one with a strong sense of place. Set on the coastal waters of Florida and in Key West, Martin painted such a vivid picture that it was easy to imagine being there. There was quite a bit about boating, but the human trafficking was front and center in the story.

When Murphy meets a woman named Summer, the pace of the story really revs up. It was exciting, nerve-wracking and heart-warming. At times, I had to suspend belief a bit because when Murphy is in pursuit, he is close to being superhuman and unstoppable. I have to give a special shout out to Gunner, my favorite character in the book, who saved the day several times. Charles Martin, I thank you for not gutting me where Gunner was concerned.

Readers need not worry about explicit sexual content relating to the human trafficking. There is, however, quite a bit of violence at times, but the story moves fairly quickly, not dwelling on the injuries. With themes of love and forgiveness, this is a story that stresses the value of each of us and that we are all worthy of being saved.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

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LibraryThing member claudia.castenir

The Water Keeper is something special, powerful. While it embraces Christianity and a depth of love not many know, it is also raw and painful as the author tackles the impact of human trafficking. This book will appeal to male and female readers as the main character is a dichotomy of strength and

vulnerability; his past pushing him to leave the ninety-nine to seek the one, a journey requiring monumental sacrifice. Along the way he collects a band, a fellowship of sorts, of those who need him, but who also have much to offer.

I cannot encourage you enough to step into the world of The Water Keeper. I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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LibraryThing member khoyt

"The Water Keeper" is the first in the Murphy Shepherd books from Charles Martin. I was not expecting this. The plot is a subject that we as Christians should not shirk from. It involves sex trafficking. This is a very real thing in this day and time. Charles Martin manages to cover it with

sympathy and grace. Lives are shattered but God's love and grace help put the broken back together. Yes, there is violence, there has to be when dealing with the traffickers; there is also love, the biggest restorer of life.
As always the gospel message is a constant thread throughout and I thank him for that. I hope there is a "Murphy Shepherd" out there somewhere for the real victims enduring this life right now.

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LibraryThing member creighley

Murphy Shepherd is mysterious man living alone on an island tending the grounds of a long ago deserted, slave-built chapel. He’s dedicated his life to saving those in need and have to be found. When he pulls a frantic and beautiful mother out of the ocean, he finds himself embroiled in another

desperate search and rescue.

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LibraryThing member bereanna

Lengthy and with unrealistic details of chase and murder-type action, this is nevertheless an interesting and informative read. Sexual slavery, set in Florida along the southeastern coast with a backdrop of a love story.

LibraryThing member zmagic69

Another excellent story from this fantastic writer.
The subject matter is dark and intense human trafficking Specifically young to teenage girls but it is handled very discreetly.

LibraryThing member jpsnow

An enjoyable thriller set along the Eastern coast of Florida and the Keys. If there are a few too many coincidences, the plot moves fast and has some religious depth about redemption.

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