Most Recommended Books

Track reading, wishlists & new-book alerts

Get
Skip to content
Share:

Charles Martin Books in Order

The official reading order for Charles Martin's books, including the Murphy Shepherd and Awakening series, plus summaries and where to start.

Last updated: December 13, 2025

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).

View

Publication Order

Sort:

26 books

The Keeper

by Charles Martin

2025

In the fourth Murphy Shepherd novel, Murphy must operate without his mentor. When the daughters of a high-ranking politician are kidnapped, he plunges back into the darkness to bring them home, facing a new political conspiracy.

Stand Firm and Act Like Men: Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are

by Charles Martin

2025

A call to biblical manhood. This book challenges men to reject cultural stereotypes and instead embrace a life of responsibility, courage, and faith, modeled after the example of Jesus.

Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything

by Charles Martin

2024

Teaming up again with Joby Martin, this book focuses on the concept of grace. They discuss how understanding the depth of God's unearned favor can radically change a person's perspective and life direction.

It Is Finished

by Charles Martin

2024

A forty-day journey back to the cross. Martin guides readers through the final moments of Jesus' life, offering a reflective and immersive look at the sacrifice that is central to the Christian faith.

The Last Exchange

by Charles Martin

2023

MacThomas "Pockets" Pockets is a bodyguard for a famous actress, Joe Sue. When her carefully curated life falls apart, Pockets is the only one who sees the truth, leading him to make a sacrificial choice to save her.

Son of Man: Retelling the Stories of Jesus

by Charles Martin

2023

A retelling of the Gospels that focuses on the humanity and divinity of Jesus. Martin uses his storytelling skills to bring the biblical narrative to life, helping readers experience the familiar stories as if hearing them for the first time.

If the Tomb Is Empty: Why the Resurrection Means Anything Is Possible

by Charles Martin

2023

Martin teams up with pastor Joby Martin to explore the significance of the Resurrection. They discuss how the empty tomb is not just a historical event but the foundation for hope and transformation in modern life.

Anything Is Possible: How Nine Miracles of Jesus Reveal God’s Love for You

by Charles Martin

2023

An exploration of nine miracles performed by Jesus. This book delves into the biblical accounts to show how these miraculous events demonstrate God's personal love and willingness to intervene in human struggles.

The Record Keeper

by Charles Martin

2022

Murphy Shepherd faces his final test as he tries to dismantle the trafficking network for good. With the life of his mentor on the line, he has to outmaneuver a brilliantly evil opponent who holds all the cards.

They Turned the World Upside Down

by Charles Martin

2021

A non-fiction look at the lives of the early disciples. Martin examines how a small group of ordinary people, empowered by their faith, managed to change the course of history and spread a message that continues to resonate today.

The Letter Keeper

by Charles Martin

2021

Murphy Shepherd thinks he has left the rescue life behind, but when his own mentor and family are threatened, he must return to the fight. This time, the stakes are personal, and the enemy knows exactly how to hurt him.

The Water Keeper

by Charles Martin

2020

Murphy Shepherd lives alone, dedicated to rescuing the lost. When he saves a woman named Summer from the Intracoastal Waterway, he is pulled into a dark world of human trafficking where he must race to find a missing girl before it’s too late.

What If It's True?

by Charles Martin

2019

In this non-fiction work, Martin explores the key moments of Jesus' life and ministry. He invites readers to look at the stories of the Bible with fresh eyes and consider how the truth of the Gospel impacts their daily lives.

Send Down the Rain

by Charles Martin

2018

Joseph, a Vietnam veteran living in a remote cabin, steps in to help a mother and her children. His act of kindness leads him back to Florida and his childhood sweetheart, unlocking buried secrets about the war and a family tragedy.

Long Way Gone

by Charles Martin

2016

Cooper O'Connor took his father's guitar and left home for Nashville, only to lose everything. Years later, he is given a chance to reclaim his music and his soul, in a modern retelling of the Prodigal Son story.

Water from My Heart

by Charles Martin

2015

Charlie Finn has spent years doing the dirty work for a Miami crime syndicate. When a job in Nicaragua goes wrong, he meets people who challenge his way of life, forcing him to choose between his easy wealth and the hard road of making amends.

A Life Intercepted

by Charles Martin

2014

Matthew Rising was the top NFL draft pick until a false accusation sent him to prison for twelve years. Now released, he returns to his wife and tries to clear his name, coaching a young football phenom who might be the key to his redemption.

Unwritten

by Charles Martin

2013

Sunday Brennan, a reclusive fishing guide, is asked by an old priest to help Katie Quinn, a famous actress on the brink of self-destruction. Together, they retreat into the Florida mangroves to escape the spotlight and rewrite the stories that haunt them.

Thunder and Rain

by Charles Martin

2012

Third-generation Texas Ranger Tyler Steele struggles to balance his job and his teenage son. When he rescues a woman and her daughter from a dangerous situation, he finds himself protecting them from a past that refuses to let them go.

The Mountain Between Us

by Charles Martin

2010

Stranded after a plane crash in the High Uintas Wilderness, a surgeon and a writer must rely on each other to survive sub-zero temperatures. With no hope of rescue, they trek across the frozen landscape, forming a bond that challenges everything they thought they knew about love.

Where the River Ends

by Charles Martin

2008

Artist Doss Michaels takes his terminally ill wife, Abbie, on one last journey down the St. Marys River. Against medical advice and family wishes, they embark on a 130-mile trip to relive their past and say their final goodbyes.

Chasing Fireflies

by Charles Martin

2007

Chase Walker, a reporter who was once a foster kid himself, uncovers a story about a mute boy found on the railroad tracks. As he digs into the boy's history, Chase discovers secrets that link the child's past to his own.

When Crickets Cry

by Charles Martin

2006

In a sleepy Georgia town, a young girl with a failing heart runs a lemonade stand to raise money for her transplant. A stranger with a hidden past as a heart surgeon steps in to help, forcing him to confront the tragedy that made him quit medicine.

Maggie

by Charles Martin

2006

In this sequel to *The Dead Don't Dance*, Maggie wakes from her coma to a world that has changed. She and Dylan must navigate the silence between them and learn how to grieve together as they try to rebuild their marriage and their faith.

Wrapped in Rain

by Charles Martin

2005

Tucker Mason is a world-renowned photographer who escapes his pain by traveling the globe. When his troubled brother escapes a mental hospital, Tucker returns home to face the abusive father he left behind and the housekeeper, Miss Ella, who was the only mother figure he ever knew.

The Dead Don't Dance

by Charles Martin

2004

Dylan and Maggie Styles are a popular young couple in their rural town, expecting their first son. When complications during delivery lead to a devastating loss and leave Maggie in a coma, Dylan must find a way to keep living while his world stands still.

Where should I start?

If you want high-stakes suspense and rescue missions:
The Water KeeperThe Letter KeeperThe Record Keeper

If you prefer emotional, character-driven drama:
The Mountain Between UsWhere the River EndsWhen Crickets Cry

If you want to read his debut story of loss and hope:
The Dead Don't DanceMaggie

Author bio

Charles Martin is a writer who knows that the best stories often start with a little bit of dirt under the fingernails. Born and raised on the banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, he enjoyed a childhood that he often compares to a "Huck Finn" existence.

His early days were not spent inside staring at screens. Instead, they were filled with fishing, canoeing, and exploring the outdoors. You can feel this deep connection to nature in almost every book he writes. The water, the humidity, and the rhythms of the South are not just backdrops in his novels; they are almost characters themselves.

Education was a major part of his journey, but it didn't immediately lead to a life of leisure. He earned a degree in English from Florida State University, followed by a master’s degree in journalism and even a PhD in communication from Regent University.

However, holding a doctorate didn't mean he started at the top. Before his books began hitting bestseller lists, Martin had to hustle to support his young family. He worked a long list of odd jobs that were far removed from the academic world.

He sold insurance. He cleared land. He worked as a pressure washer. He even built docks, standing waist-deep in the same waters he grew up playing in. These weren't just ways to pay the bills; they were formative experiences. This background gave him a genuine appreciation for hard work and real-life grit. When you read about a character in a Charles Martin novel struggling to fix a fence or survive a storm, it feels authentic because the author has been there.

His writing career officially kicked off with The Dead Don't Dance, a touching story that introduced readers to his signature style. But it was The Mountain Between Us that introduced him to the world stage.

That novel, a survival story about two strangers stranded in the wilderness, became a massive hit. It was eventually adapted into a major motion picture starring Hollywood heavyweights Kate Winslet and Idris Elba. Seeing his characters come to life on the big screen was a career milestone, but it didn't change his approach to storytelling.

Readers keep coming back to Martin’s books because of their emotional depth. He specializes in writing about broken people. His characters are often at the end of their rope, facing impossible odds or running from a painful past.

He has a unique way of blending heart-pounding suspense with deep, emotional healing. While his work is often found on the inspirational or faith-based fiction shelves, he breaks the mold of what that usually looks like. He doesn't write "fluff."

Instead, he tackles difficult, gritty subjects. Whether he is writing about the horrors of human trafficking, as seen in some of his later work, or the heartbreak of terminal illness, he never shies away from the pain. He is willing to take his characters into the darkest valleys to show them finding the light.

Ultimately, his stories are about redemption. They are about second chances that arrive when you least expect them.

Today, Martin keeps things simple despite his global success. He still lives in Jacksonville, close to the water that inspired him as a boy. He shares his life with his wife, Christy, and their three sons, continuing to write stories that challenge and comfort readers in equal measure.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

Comments

Did we miss something? Have feedback?

Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts

We only use your email to notify you about replies.

All comments are moderated.

Discover and track your reading on the go

Track your reading, manage wishlists, and get notified when new books are added.

All 26 Charles Martin Books in Order (Complete List 2026)