Good but not as suspenseful as the last one. ( )

When I requested this ARC I did not realize that this was book #2 in the Murphy Shepherd series.

Although you do not need to read the first book to enjoy this book, I felt like we jumped in to a story and I didn't know what had happened to get us to that point. With that being said, this book by itself was still immensely enjoyable and I have already added The Water Keeper (book #1) and The Record Keeper (book #3) to my ever growing TBR. I love the premise of this book, Murphy and Bones traveling all over the world saving people that have been kidnapped or coerced into the human trafficking trade and bringing them back to their sanctuary to heal.

Highly recommend this novel. ( )

Charles Martin has written an emotionally heartrending, tear-producing, hope confirming, tour-de-force follow-up to the first book in this series. Sex trafficking is a largely unnoticed evil plaguing the world. I am glad more people are bringing this evil into the conversation making people aware of its ever-increasing presence in the shadows. Mr. Martin talks about these victims with compassion, tenderness, sorrow, love, and mercy. It is a shame there is not a real Murphy Shepherd in this world with his resources and physical abilities. We must each be a vocal fighter for these victims. I would recommend reading the first book in the series to get the background. I am eagerly awaiting his third in this series coming out in June. Give these books to someone you love. Make them aware of this evil Teach them to protect themselves and not become a victim. ( )

Read The Water Keeper first to understand Murphy Shepherd, who has devoted his life to rescuing survivors of human trafficking. Despite beginning with a bang, the first part of the book is a bit slow, with Murphy confined to living in Freetown, a safe place high in the mountains of Colorado, where he brings the rescued so that s/he can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. The story gets very personal for Murphy, as someone is seeking vengeance and, eventually finds his vulnerability.

Like all good authors, Charles Martin weaves backstories into his novel, further developing the main characters, especially in respect of his long relationship with his mentor, a priest names Bones, who kept a secret from Murphy in the first book, causing festering resentment. There are four women in this story: two rescued girls (Casey and Angel), and his daughter, Ellie, who act as sisters and Summer, Angel’s mother and Murphy’s BFF. Finally, there is Gunner, the ever-faithful dog, who is attuned and attentive to his human friend’s needs. Many surprises and plot twists to keep readers entertained. Waiting for Book #3, scheduled for publication in 2022, is tough given the ending. ( )

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin
A Murphy Shepherd novel #2

Almost put this book down before finishing but decided to read the end, then a bit in the middle, and still unsatisfied with quitting I skimmed it all to find out if what I thought did not make sense might make complete sense by the last page. I felt, when I nearly stopped reading, that this is a series that probably should be read starting with book and I still feel that way after reading as I did although I did manage to get a sense of the main character, his calling, and the life he leads.

What I liked:
* Shepherd/Bishop: a man with a skill-set and life calling to be admired…although…at times he seemed to have a death wish or perhaps he was an adrenaline junkie.
* Bones: co-worker/boss/string puller of Shepherd
* The task that Shepherd & Bones have in common and the way they achieve their goal(s)
* The way Shepherd keeps track of the people his work has impacted
* Gunner: A dedicated, smart, and loving canine companion
* The lives saved and the hints about what they were saved from.
* Casey: one of the people saved
* The parts Marie, Ellie, Summer and Angel played in the story ALTHOUGH this is where having read the first book might have come in handy.
* The indestructible constitution Shepherd must have – and his ability to heal from death defying injuries.
* Finding out who Bones & Shepherd will probably be chasing in the next book

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are traffickers in real life as evil or more evil than the ones mentioned in this book.
* Thinking about the pain and suffering that those trafficked must experience.
* Feeling that I should have read book one before reading this one – felt I must be missing things at times.

Did I like this book? Sort of
Would I read more by this author? Maybe

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars ( )