My rating: 5/5
Unquestionably a five-star read, my admiration for Charles Martin’s writing increased another notch, as I finished the third installment of the Marcus Shepherd series, The Record Keeper. Martin has a way of gripping the reader within the first few pages of the story and holding their attention and heart within the intriguing plot, characters, and imagery. His uncanny ability to weave an enthralling story with notes of Christian faith, is delightful. I have since begun reading other books, and yet this story resonates in my mind.
The Record Keeper is a continuation of a saga following Marcus Shepherd, one who has dedicated his life to rescuing youth from the throes of sex trafficking. While Marcus has spent numerous years committed to freeing others in danger, he is currently faced with a rescue mission that proves to be the most grueling, for it involves his trusted ally, mentor, and friend. This arduous journey brings him face to face with a man whose entire being is saturated with pure evilness. Committing to rescuing his friend places Marcus’s life as well as the life of his family and others in perpetual danger. Throughout this monumental task of rescue, he discovers the importance of forgiveness, the sting of bitterness, and the significance of leaving the ninety-nine in search of the lost one (Luke 15: 4-7).
“Whose you are matters more to the soul than who you are or what you are” (Bones, The Record Keeper).
Enlivened with words of wisdom, unforgettable characters, and a thrilling plot, I enjoyed every moment of this story. Although the subject of sex trafficking is indicated in the story, it is done with minimal descriptive scenes and excluding explicit content. This fast-paced novel is both engaging and inspiring. The emphasis of selfless love in the narrative, is a reminder of the ultimate example of self-sacrificing love that Christ showed towards mankind on the cross through the redemptive power of His blood for the atonement of our sins. I believe there is no greater love than that. I highly recommend this book and suggest reading this series in its order of publication.
