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The Charles Martin Collection: When Crickets Cry, Chasing Fireflies, and Wrapped in Rain: A Collection of Heartfelt Southern Stories About Faith and Second Chances
Three novels from author Charles Martin now available in one e-book collection.
When Crickets Cry
A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.
Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.
Chasing Fireflies
They have one summer to find what was lost long ago.
"Never settle for less than the truth," she told him. But when you don't even know your real name, the truth gets a little complicated. It can nestle so close to home it's hard to see. It can even flourish inside a lie. And as Chase Walker discovered, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night.
A haunting story about fishing, baseball, home cooking, and other matters of life and death.
Wrapped in Rain
An internationally famous photographer, Tucker Mason, has traveled the world, capturing things other people don't see. But what Tucker himself can't see is how to let go of the past and forgive his father.
On a sprawling Southern estate, Tucker and his younger brother, Mutt, were raised by their housekeeper, Miss Ella Rain, who loved the motherless boys like her own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and the boys was the only good thing their father ever did.
When his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.
Though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice--and her prayers. But finding peace and starting anew will take a measure of grace that Tucker scarcely believes in.
When his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.
Though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice--and her prayers. But finding peace and starting anew will take a measure of grace that Tucker scarcely believes in.
When Crickets Cry
A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts.
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.
Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.
Chasing Fireflies
They have one summer to find what was lost long ago.
"Never settle for less than the truth," she told him. But when you don't even know your real name, the truth gets a little complicated. It can nestle so close to home it's hard to see. It can even flourish inside a lie. And as Chase Walker discovered, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night.
A haunting story about fishing, baseball, home cooking, and other matters of life and death.
Wrapped in Rain
An internationally famous photographer, Tucker Mason, has traveled the world, capturing things other people don't see. But what Tucker himself can't see is how to let go of the past and forgive his father.
On a sprawling Southern estate, Tucker and his younger brother, Mutt, were raised by their housekeeper, Miss Ella Rain, who loved the motherless boys like her own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and the boys was the only good thing their father ever did.
When his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.
Though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice--and her prayers. But finding peace and starting anew will take a measure of grace that Tucker scarcely believes in.
When his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.
Though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice--and her prayers. But finding peace and starting anew will take a measure of grace that Tucker scarcely believes in.
- GenresFictionChristian Fiction
1269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
915 people are currently reading
1195 people want to read
About the author
Charles Martin
111 books9,499 followersCharles Martin is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. He and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, FL. Learn more at charlesmartinbooks.com; Instagram: @storiedcareer; X: @storiedcareer; Facebook: @Author.Charles.Martin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 11, 2015
I read these stories one at a time, and will read them all again. Every one is unique, well researched, and takes the characters from points of the unthinkable to amazing ends. Readers will sit quietly when then the finish the last words. Enough said. Keep a pillow under your heart to cushion it.
July 19, 2017
Love is spelled many ways.
One of my favorite things about Charles Martin is his ability to not only paint a picture, but to layer it with sights and smells and sounds. This collection is no different. In each story the reader visits a place they may never have been and it somehow feels familiar. The people are like people we've met or known. It serves as a reminder that we really are only separated from one another by a very thin veil. Not one moment of my time reading here was wasted, not one.
One of my favorite things about Charles Martin is his ability to not only paint a picture, but to layer it with sights and smells and sounds. This collection is no different. In each story the reader visits a place they may never have been and it somehow feels familiar. The people are like people we've met or known. It serves as a reminder that we really are only separated from one another by a very thin veil. Not one moment of my time reading here was wasted, not one.
March 7, 2016
One of my absolute favorite writers, especially his earliest books!
January 3, 2019
Loved these books. They are about things that matter.
Each one is about a life crisis. Each one is different, but all of them delve deep into the split between good and evil, life and death, and love and hate. The characters are well wrought, bigger than life, but they have to be when you are dealing with such monumental clashes as these that embrace us all. He doesn’t get preachy, but he does present the Choice we all face.
Each one is about a life crisis. Each one is different, but all of them delve deep into the split between good and evil, life and death, and love and hate. The characters are well wrought, bigger than life, but they have to be when you are dealing with such monumental clashes as these that embrace us all. He doesn’t get preachy, but he does present the Choice we all face.
June 16, 2020
Moving tale of redemption, forgiveness, and courage
Rarely have I ever been so drawn into a story as I was with this one. It isn’t about a bunch of cliche platitudes, but about real people with real choices, and the courage to follow God, even when it’s hard. All three books are well worth the time to read, and who knows, you might even be challenged to do hard things yourself.
Rarely have I ever been so drawn into a story as I was with this one. It isn’t about a bunch of cliche platitudes, but about real people with real choices, and the courage to follow God, even when it’s hard. All three books are well worth the time to read, and who knows, you might even be challenged to do hard things yourself.
June 12, 2024
I learned so much about heart transplants! A lovely story with a lot of emotion,
April 12, 2022
Great story, good characters, worthwhile read.
I knew nothing of this book prior to my reading it, except that I am a fan of the author's many novels. The story line was strong, the characters well developed, and the moral lessons drawn from the story were easily applicable to my own life. Things like; being there for your family, the higher importance of spending time, over money, in a child's life, and ultimately finding the heart and strength to forgive someone who has wronged you in the worst way.
A quick read if you have a free weekend, or a good nightly read before bed. And this one....I could read again.
I knew nothing of this book prior to my reading it, except that I am a fan of the author's many novels. The story line was strong, the characters well developed, and the moral lessons drawn from the story were easily applicable to my own life. Things like; being there for your family, the higher importance of spending time, over money, in a child's life, and ultimately finding the heart and strength to forgive someone who has wronged you in the worst way.
A quick read if you have a free weekend, or a good nightly read before bed. And this one....I could read again.
October 6, 2018
Excellent Book, Excellent Author!!!
I am in love with this author. His writing flows so well, and is so enjoyable to read. Bright thoughts, happy moments, true life. Even the smallest moments come alive with his thoughtful outlook .I loved the repainting of the horse. Joyful moments.
I am in love with this author. His writing flows so well, and is so enjoyable to read. Bright thoughts, happy moments, true life. Even the smallest moments come alive with his thoughtful outlook .I loved the repainting of the horse. Joyful moments.
June 30, 2023
OMG!!! Another 5 star book for sure.... From the bestselling author of The Mountain Between Us comes the moving story of a man with a painful past, a little girl with a doubtful future, and a shared journey toward healing for both of their hearts. I am quoting from Amazon...couldn't say it any better than this...Charles Martin tells a beautiful story and explains so much in his book that you are learning as you go...a heartfelt story that had me laughing and crying but the end of the book had me balling for sure....it has a great twist to it....
I am now reading another of his Chasing Fireflies and it has me interested immediately. Great author for sure.
I am now reading another of his Chasing Fireflies and it has me interested immediately. Great author for sure.
November 30, 2025
Charles Martin is an exceptional storyteller!
The art and gift of story telling in all of Charles Martin's books will pull you in. His knowledge and understanding of life, both the good and evil we all can possess bring hope. Hope that we can all do a little better with the life we are given, live life with more love, understanding, compassion and joy. All of this flows through words that bring you on adventure that is so realistic you become immersed in the story and just want to keep reading to see where it is leading you.
The art and gift of story telling in all of Charles Martin's books will pull you in. His knowledge and understanding of life, both the good and evil we all can possess bring hope. Hope that we can all do a little better with the life we are given, live life with more love, understanding, compassion and joy. All of this flows through words that bring you on adventure that is so realistic you become immersed in the story and just want to keep reading to see where it is leading you.
March 26, 2020
I'm sorry - this author is not for me - i found the stories maudlin, trite, and predictable. I am so sorry to sya it but sometimes things just don't work out! The first story "when crickets cry" started out so well that i stuck with it to the end - albeit skipping over large parts toward the end. The 2nd "chasing fireflies" was just plain awful. started the 3rd "wrapped in rain" and realized into 10 pages it was a big huge NO. Disappointed in this book.
July 24, 2023
I am in the process of reading everything from this author (but a little out of order at first). I am so sucked in with the depth of the characters and the details. Not only can you see the places he is describing but I can relate to so much of his writing. This book took a little more time (When Crickets Cry) but I will read it again. I really 3njpy his reading and feel if I don't exhaust all there is that I will be !missing something very important.
May 25, 2021
Good read. I skipped sleep to finish it, which is a sign of it grabbing me pretty well. I am a sucker for wounded hero stories as well as the whole “save the innocent” storyline. I did feel it sometimes went for cliches in the plot and failed to really develop some of the characters. But overall, I enjoyed it. I loved the relationship between Reese and Charlie. But I feel like Cindy and Termite were just side characters that I didn’t really care about that much at the end. Charles Martin books are easy to read and flow well. This was only my second, but it won’t be my last,
March 31, 2023
The Collection of Charles Martin
He has a way of bringing the characters alive with exciting imagery words.
When Crickets Cry torn my heart and pulled me into the story.
Chasing Fireflies ended to soon, I wanted the story to keep going.
I had trouble keeping up with the characters in Wrapped in Rain. I couldn’t tell if I was in a flashback or in the present.
He has a way of bringing the characters alive with exciting imagery words.
When Crickets Cry torn my heart and pulled me into the story.
Chasing Fireflies ended to soon, I wanted the story to keep going.
I had trouble keeping up with the characters in Wrapped in Rain. I couldn’t tell if I was in a flashback or in the present.
September 5, 2024
My favorite author❣️
I admit I bought this 3 book set for 2 of the books, I had already read 1 of them. I love Charles Martin’s story telling. He can really break your heart and then masterfully rebuild it, thank goodness. I think I have read almost all of his books, though I hope not. I’m so happy to have found this author, my husband and I are fans forever. Great books❣️
I admit I bought this 3 book set for 2 of the books, I had already read 1 of them. I love Charles Martin’s story telling. He can really break your heart and then masterfully rebuild it, thank goodness. I think I have read almost all of his books, though I hope not. I’m so happy to have found this author, my husband and I are fans forever. Great books❣️
March 29, 2025
I loved each of these books for different reasons. One thing was consistent, they were all written by a very talented author. I would have a hard time picking my favorite. I was asked that recently from my neighbor, who I was introducing to his writing . I only could say, "It depends on what day you ask me and what book of his I'm rereading."
February 27, 2018
The best lessons
A wonderful book about coming-of-age of how our surroundings and our upbringing lead us down the path . All of us have the power though to chose . Which path shall I take.?
A wonderful book about coming-of-age of how our surroundings and our upbringing lead us down the path . All of us have the power though to chose . Which path shall I take.?
June 6, 2018
Great collection
This is three really good stories that make up a great collection. I borrowed these from my online Library. I'm glad that I did and would love to read more of this Author's work.
This is three really good stories that make up a great collection. I borrowed these from my online Library. I'm glad that I did and would love to read more of this Author's work.
November 9, 2018
I read When Crickets Cry years ago, but hadn’t read the others. All I can say is Charles Martin is a great story teller focused on detail and holds your interest throughout the book. Highly recommend any books by this author.
May 10, 2019
I love Charles Martin—his heroes and heroines make me want to be a better parent, a better Christian, and a better human being! So far my favorite has been Miss Ella. We could all use her voice in our heads.
September 12, 2019
Roller coaster of reading fun!
Loved this book! Each page keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns and ups and downs. Just like life with encouragement to choose the high road. Young and old, male or female will love the adventure! That’s why I gave it 5 stars.
Loved this book! Each page keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns and ups and downs. Just like life with encouragement to choose the high road. Young and old, male or female will love the adventure! That’s why I gave it 5 stars.
March 3, 2020
Touching and hopeful
The book made you think, recognizes the influence parents have on their children, and shows the hope that is there for those children to rise above hurt, disappointment etc.
The book made you think, recognizes the influence parents have on their children, and shows the hope that is there for those children to rise above hurt, disappointment etc.
May 25, 2020
When I started reading "When Crickets Cry", I knew I had to finish this awesome book. I'm not sure if the author's characters, knowledge of medical facts or the suspense, but I couldn't stop till the last page.
I love Charles Martin!
I love Charles Martin!
July 25, 2020
I read the first book in this collection .... When crickets cry. This was a tear jerker. I loved the story, but I felt drained when I finished it. All the characters were real, loving people. I felt I knew them
August 15, 2020
Wonderful collection
Charles Martin is a new-to-me author. I like his writing style and enjoyed this collection very much. If you're already a fan, gather your favorite reading accessories and settle in. If you're new to this author, this collection is the perfect introduction.
Charles Martin is a new-to-me author. I like his writing style and enjoyed this collection very much. If you're already a fan, gather your favorite reading accessories and settle in. If you're new to this author, this collection is the perfect introduction.
October 6, 2021
Very good fictional story. Author is really good at getting you to feel the emotions of the characters as they go through heart issues/transplant. Not sure many of the facts regarding the procedures, etc. are correct though.
March 8, 2022
Unable to stop reading!
I started this collection itending to take a break at the end of each book. Did not happen I had to keep reading. Charles Martin Smith is author I am glad to discover. This collection is a great introduction to his writing. A new fan!
I started this collection itending to take a break at the end of each book. Did not happen I had to keep reading. Charles Martin Smith is author I am glad to discover. This collection is a great introduction to his writing. A new fan!
May 27, 2022
Martin never ceases to amaze me a,
This collection of 3 full length novels were as different from one another as you can imagine. Each character glowed more with every chapter I read. Charles Martin is one of my favorite authors!
This collection of 3 full length novels were as different from one another as you can imagine. Each character glowed more with every chapter I read. Charles Martin is one of my favorite authors!
May 17, 2023
Charles Martin is Always Good!
Another interesting and engaging Martin tale. Enjoyable throughout and some wonderful characters. I’ve enjoyed many of the authors works, and this one was no exception.
Another interesting and engaging Martin tale. Enjoyable throughout and some wonderful characters. I’ve enjoyed many of the authors works, and this one was no exception.
January 27, 2025
Three excellent b00ks!
I very much liked all 3 books. They are well written and touch the soul. Although all of yumthe authors' books tend to bring tears, they also bring smiles and ease the day.
I very much liked all 3 books. They are well written and touch the soul. Although all of yumthe authors' books tend to bring tears, they also bring smiles and ease the day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews