Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Charles Martin

Charles Martin Reading Order

5 series · 27 books · Born 1969-11-03

Charles Martin is a Southern author who has written 27 books spanning religious fiction, contemporary standalone novels, and multiple series including the Murphy Shepherd mysteries and the Awakening collection. His work blends faith-centered storytelling with character-driven narratives that appeal to readers seeking emotionally resonant fiction grounded in spiritual themes. Since his debut in 2004, Martin has established himself as a prolific voice in Christian and inspirational fiction, drawing on his background in journalism and communication to craft compelling stories set primarily in the American South.

Anthologies Series

Complete

1 book (2021–2021)

#Title
1
As We Were Saying: Sewanee Writers on Writing
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Awakening Series

Complete

2 books (2004–2006)

Start with The Dead Don't Dance and read in order.

Start this series with The Dead Don't Dance

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Dead Don't Dance
The Dead Don't Dance
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Maggie

Murphy Shepherd Series

Ongoing

4 books (2020–2025)

Start with The Water Keeper, the first of 4 books in the Murphy Shepherd series.

Start this series with The Water Keeper

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Water Keeper
The Water Keeper
2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
The Letter Keeper
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The Record Keeper
The Record Keeper
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4

Religious Series

Ongoing

8 books (2019–2025)

Start with What If It's True?, the first of 8 books in the Religious series.

Start this series with What If It's True?

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of What If It's True?
What If It's True?
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of They Turned the World Upside Down
They Turned the World Upside Down
2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Anything Is Possible: How Nine Miracles of Jesus Reveal God’s Love for You(With: Joby Martin)
Anything Is Possible: How Nine Miracles of Jesus Reveal God’s Love for You(With: Joby Martin)
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of If the Tomb Is Empty: Why the Resurrection Means Anything Is Possible(With: Joby Martin)
If the Tomb Is Empty: Why the Resurrection Means Anything Is Possible(With: Joby Martin)
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of Son of Man: Retelling the Stories of Jesus
Son of Man: Retelling the Stories of Jesus
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of It Is Finished
It Is Finished
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything(With: Joby Martin)
Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything(With: Joby Martin)
2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of Stand Firm and Act Like Men: Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are(With: Joby Martin)
Stand Firm and Act Like Men: Becoming the Man You Were Created to Be Instead of Who the World Says You Are(With: Joby Martin)
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

12 books (2005–2023)

Start with Wrapped in Rain, the first of 12 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Wrapped in Rain

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Wrapped in Rain
Wrapped in Rain
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of When Crickets Cry
When Crickets Cry
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of Chasing Fireflies
Chasing Fireflies
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of Where the River Ends
Where the River Ends
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Mountain Between Us
The Mountain Between Us
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of Thunder and Rain
Thunder and Rain
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of Unwritten
8
Cover of A Life Intercepted
A Life Intercepted
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of Water from My Heart
Water from My Heart
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of Long Way Gone
Long Way Gone
2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of Send Down the Rain
Send Down the Rain
2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of The Last Exchange
The Last Exchange
2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Charles Martin written?
Charles Martin has written 27 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 2004 to 2025.
What is the first book in each Charles Martin series?
Here are the first books in Charles Martin's series: Awakening: The Dead Don't Dance; Murphy Shepherd: The Water Keeper; Religious: What If It's True?.
What order should I read Charles Martin's books?
We recommend reading Charles Martin's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Charles Martin still writing new books?
Yes, Charles Martin has 2 ongoing series: Murphy Shepherd, Religious.

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