Murphy is reeling from the loss of his mentor, Bones, when he’s thrust into another mission: rescuing the kidnapped daughters of a presidential candidate. The race against time is intense, but the deeper battle—Murphy’s struggle to find his footing without Bones—is just as interesting. As always, Martin masterfully balances action with heartfelt reflection, though the novel leans a bit too introspective.
While the themes of faith and redemption shine, the book relies heavily on flashbacks. Readers new to the series might appreciate them, but for those who have followed Murphy’s journey, they can feel excessive. Martin’s tendency to repeat certain phrases is noticeable and annoying. That said, his deeply reflective writing and the way he infuses faith into even the darkest moments make this a powerful read.
I previewed both the book and the audiobook—Jonathan K. Riggs’ narration was strong. This is not a standalone novel—I highly recommend reading the first three books for the full experience. Though a bit long, it’s another strong, moving entry in the series. 4 stars.
** Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and HarperCollins for review copies of this novel. The opinions are my own.