What do you think?
Rate this book
Awakening #1-2
Down Where My Love Lives
Collected together for the first time-Dylan and Maggie's love story.
Down Where My Love Lives is a bittersweet yet triumphant love story—a tale of one man's spiritual journey through the darkness of despair into the light of hope.
The Dead Don't Dance was New York Times best-selling author Charles Martin's debut novel. Even then, the deep characters and emotional power for which he has become so well-known were apparent in his writing. Now, this story—and its sequel—are together in one volume.
The Dead Don't Dance—A sleepy rural town in South Carolina. The end of summer and a baby about to be born. But in the midst of hope and celebration comes unexpected tragedy, and Dylan Styles must come to terms with both love and loss. Will the music of his heart be stilled forever—or will he choose to dance with life once more?
Maggie—Life began again for Dylan Styles when his beloved wife Maggie awoke from a coma. In this poignant love story that is redolent with Southern atmosphere, Dylan and Maggie must accept their past before they can embrace their future.
Down Where My Love Lives is a bittersweet yet triumphant love story—a tale of one man's spiritual journey through the darkness of despair into the light of hope.
The Dead Don't Dance was New York Times best-selling author Charles Martin's debut novel. Even then, the deep characters and emotional power for which he has become so well-known were apparent in his writing. Now, this story—and its sequel—are together in one volume.
The Dead Don't Dance—A sleepy rural town in South Carolina. The end of summer and a baby about to be born. But in the midst of hope and celebration comes unexpected tragedy, and Dylan Styles must come to terms with both love and loss. Will the music of his heart be stilled forever—or will he choose to dance with life once more?
Maggie—Life began again for Dylan Styles when his beloved wife Maggie awoke from a coma. In this poignant love story that is redolent with Southern atmosphere, Dylan and Maggie must accept their past before they can embrace their future.
631 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2008
846 people are currently reading
2181 people want to read
About the author
Charles Martin
60 books9,815 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
September 3, 2014
This is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read, in my life. To endure so much at once and to have your faith tested time after time...... and always come out on top. This is a fictional story, but it's realistic. I can relate to both Dylan and Maggie in so many ways. Their story made me sit back and look at my own life and my struggles and my relationships. What I can work on and what I need to let go of. This is a reminder for me that He is always there. Everyone has struggles in their life, that is life. This was an eye opener for me for sure. A reminder that it's okay to be broken, even more than once. A reminder of something I say all the time to my kiddos... "Everything happens for a reason. Even if we don't understand it or like it". Don't lose sight of Him, he will always get you through the most toughest of times.
June 29, 2021
I enjoyed this debut novel by Charles Martin. Since it's over twenty-five years old, some of the writing style isn't up to date with today's publishing standards, but Martin's word smithing talent still shines through. A tragic story with a hope-filled ending, just what I enjoy reading. I'm looking forward to the sequel, Maggie, to find out how the main character continues to grow.
November 4, 2019
One of Martin's best. They are actually two books in one. The first is Maggie and the second is The Dead Don't Dance. Love, love it. Looking for more books by this author.
April 6, 2015
I really enjoy Charles Martin and his books. They are stories of love and relationships, and the hurting that happens in all of them. The love story of Dylan and Maggie is beautiful. I felt like they were my friends, along with Amanda and Amos. Martin's writing is engaging and I couldn't put this book down. I would have given this book 5 stars, but I did not like the ending. I was part of this story and I felt like it just ended....I wanted more. This book is The Dead Don't Dance and the sequel Maggie, together in one read.
March 15, 2026
I lost interest throughout the whole book especially the parts where it was about Dylan’s wife. I don’t even know if the wife made it out of the coma. Which I think she did because the second part is her perspective, pre or post coma, not exactly sure, but I simply cannot make myself listen to it. Overall it’s just okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2019
Let me start by saying that I enjoy Charles Martin's books. I just have one issue with the last two that I have read. I think that he needs some input from medical professionals. In this book I was distressed to see his explanation for the stillbirth and Maggie's complications. There is absolutely no reason that the physician would have been unaware of the babies size and weight and the difficulties that would cause. This would have called for a c-section. This of course would have finished off the story but there are other medical issues that could have been used that would have been more plausible. The book that I read before this one (Long Time Gone) also had some significant medical inaccuracies. I guess that being a 50+ year nurse has left me a little jaded. I can't watch shows like ER without hollering at the TV either.
October 10, 2020
Another excellent Charles Martin book. This is a story about a couple in love, a birth, an isolated cabin, a tombstone, mountains, a river, bitter cold, sweating, near-death experiences, two best friends; a teacher/farmer and a sheriff, Ebony, and ivory, Packed with suspense, romance, tears, joy, fear, anger, redemption - a rollercoaster of nearly every human emotion. A page-turner. I highly recommend this book.
March 24, 2009
You need to read Charles Martin. He writes great stories that blend faith, friendship, love and commitment. I am not a big fiction reader, but have read all of Charles' stuff beginning last year.
January 14, 2018
*I flagged this for a very minor spoiler* Maybe 2.5 stars. This is 2 books published together. I wanted to like them. I liked the story lines. The second book was a little over the top as far as believability but it was ok. The writing, in my opinion, is incredibly frustrating. I hate it when an author is fixated on a particular word or phrase and it gets repeated too much. That speaks of poor editing, and it happens several times. Once in each book, the main character’s wife is in danger of losing her life, and he thinks “You’re not sticking that in my wife” (or maybe you’re not putting that in my wife - I don’t remember for sure). Seriously - the dude’s wife is going to die without medical intervention, and he’s upset over the use of a catheter tube?? It’s stupid. My biggest complaint about these books probably sounds petty, but the author is *obsessed* with the topic of urination. It drove me crazy. My opinion may very well be wrong here, but it seems typical of books like this. It is published by Thomas Nelson, which is a “Christian” publishing company. So, this story is about a married couple, so there are plenty of mentions of their marital relations, but nothing graphic. It seems the author makes up for this not being able (allowed, I assume - they must have standards to keep their customers happy) to be more edgy by constantly mentioning that a character is urinating. Or needs to. Or did. Or whatever. It’s really ridiculous. I’ve read potty training books that mention it less. Guess what - everybody has to go. We get it. We don’t need to know a character’s bathroom habits every day of his life. It’s brought up so often, it feels juvenile. With 75% less of that, more believable situations, and less flowery language, this book would have been much much better. It’s annoying because I like the characters and I wanted to know their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2022
Dylan and Maggie as far as I can tell are a Caucasian couple who live in a community of African Americans along with one other Scottish man with a whole lot of money and only the couple for friends. The author seemingly drags in other characters as he writes without giving much thought to how they actually fit in the story. And by the way, too much action in the simple life of a country couple. I honestly thought this book would never end and what else could happen to the couple. I did not like the coon dog hunt, brutally hard to read. I skipped over the bloody part. I personally don’t think coon hunting is a true sport. It’s more like murder of innocent animals and low self-esteemed men with a need for any blood except their own. This story could have been good, but it was like the author didn’t know when to stop his words and the story just goes on and on like he was caught up in a lie. I never did understand why their home was burned too. There was not a good lead way into the room in the barn. It was hard to follow as to exactly where the couple was sometimes (barn loft or burned out home) . This may have been because I had lost interest in the on and on kidnapping and loses in the story. Yet, even with all of his writings there are still lose strings through out the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2021
I'm only 100 pages into the book, and I'm already giving this a 5 star rating. I've never given a rating before finishing a book before. But this is just so good! It's poignant and tender and heartbreaking. These characters are so well written they practically leap off the page into real life. I can't wait to read the rest!
Update: I've finished the book, and it's still a 5 star review for me. This is actually 2 books in one. The first, The Dead Don't Dance, tells the heartbreaking story of a young couple who learn early in their marriage what "in sickness and in health" means. The second, Maggie, explores what "for better or for worse" entails. While there are some unpolished details, the prose is beautiful in its simplicity. I thought the action of the second book was a little contrived and somewhat of a departure from the slower pace of the first book, but it was still an enjoyable read.
This book delves into faith, love, friendship, and community. I highly recommend it! There are a couple of minor foul words (crap) used in the sense of a very large pig with an attitude problem. The other curse word is edited out (d__n). I appreciate the wholesomeness of this. There are also a couple of references to sex between a married couple who have a wonderful, strong and healthy relationship, but it is very chaste.
I look forward to reading more of Charles Martin's work soon.
Update: I've finished the book, and it's still a 5 star review for me. This is actually 2 books in one. The first, The Dead Don't Dance, tells the heartbreaking story of a young couple who learn early in their marriage what "in sickness and in health" means. The second, Maggie, explores what "for better or for worse" entails. While there are some unpolished details, the prose is beautiful in its simplicity. I thought the action of the second book was a little contrived and somewhat of a departure from the slower pace of the first book, but it was still an enjoyable read.
This book delves into faith, love, friendship, and community. I highly recommend it! There are a couple of minor foul words (crap) used in the sense of a very large pig with an attitude problem. The other curse word is edited out (d__n). I appreciate the wholesomeness of this. There are also a couple of references to sex between a married couple who have a wonderful, strong and healthy relationship, but it is very chaste.
I look forward to reading more of Charles Martin's work soon.
April 23, 2022
Exhausting and exhilarating
These two stories are hard to read because of all the pain and sacrifice contained within. Once read, however, the reader is filled with hope and gratitude that the author shared his uncommon gift with us. I am not a religious person and I expected to be turned off by the thread of faith throughout the stories, but I was not. The faith of the characters was beautiful and woven as simply part of their lives, not as a testament to their superiority. Maggie and Dylan are phenomenal characters, but there is also a supporting cast of people who amaze on a regular basis. The very best of them is the eccentric Bryce, who is scary and mysterious, but shows us his humanity in a very satisfying and loving way. This book will make you laugh and cry and count your blessings, no matter how you feel about God. This is a great read to be treasured for a long time.
These two stories are hard to read because of all the pain and sacrifice contained within. Once read, however, the reader is filled with hope and gratitude that the author shared his uncommon gift with us. I am not a religious person and I expected to be turned off by the thread of faith throughout the stories, but I was not. The faith of the characters was beautiful and woven as simply part of their lives, not as a testament to their superiority. Maggie and Dylan are phenomenal characters, but there is also a supporting cast of people who amaze on a regular basis. The very best of them is the eccentric Bryce, who is scary and mysterious, but shows us his humanity in a very satisfying and loving way. This book will make you laugh and cry and count your blessings, no matter how you feel about God. This is a great read to be treasured for a long time.
February 10, 2024
a rollercoaster
So much happens in these two books, the Dead don’t dance, and Maggie. A heartfelt story of a man and his wife struggling to have a baby. There’s some great characters, Amos, the neighbor and best friend, and crazy Bryce, the veteran with demons of his own, but also a heart of gold. Just when you think things are going well, whammy - there’s a setback. I loved Dylan’s interaction with his students at the community college. My only criticism is that, at times, it was too predictable. There’s a lot of things about life for a southern man - trucks, John Wayne movies, guns, southern boils, and coon hunting. Amos and Dylan also reminisce about childhood experiences, rafting down the river like Huck Finn and playing cowboys and Indians. As a woman I found it hard to connect to these stories and actually put off by some of them.
So much happens in these two books, the Dead don’t dance, and Maggie. A heartfelt story of a man and his wife struggling to have a baby. There’s some great characters, Amos, the neighbor and best friend, and crazy Bryce, the veteran with demons of his own, but also a heart of gold. Just when you think things are going well, whammy - there’s a setback. I loved Dylan’s interaction with his students at the community college. My only criticism is that, at times, it was too predictable. There’s a lot of things about life for a southern man - trucks, John Wayne movies, guns, southern boils, and coon hunting. Amos and Dylan also reminisce about childhood experiences, rafting down the river like Huck Finn and playing cowboys and Indians. As a woman I found it hard to connect to these stories and actually put off by some of them.
June 29, 2022
Decent Reaf
I fell in love with Bryce. He was a great character and I.would like to have been his friend. Dylan is quite an anomily. He is strong, good, honest and trusting. He is also patient to a fault, and what men dream of becoming. In other words, he isn't quite real... But you want him to be. And the wife...Maggie...was irritating. She was portrayed as loveable and kind, but in reality, she was not. She was hopeless and selfish and broken, and it took a very long time for her to become real. I got tired of her behavior long before she came to herself. Even then, it was not her decision to have faith. So was the story good? Yes. Was it his best work? No. Would I.recommend it? Yes, but don't start here.
I fell in love with Bryce. He was a great character and I.would like to have been his friend. Dylan is quite an anomily. He is strong, good, honest and trusting. He is also patient to a fault, and what men dream of becoming. In other words, he isn't quite real... But you want him to be. And the wife...Maggie...was irritating. She was portrayed as loveable and kind, but in reality, she was not. She was hopeless and selfish and broken, and it took a very long time for her to become real. I got tired of her behavior long before she came to herself. Even then, it was not her decision to have faith. So was the story good? Yes. Was it his best work? No. Would I.recommend it? Yes, but don't start here.
April 2, 2024
I’m a die hard Charles Martin fan, but only for the past year. I’m dependent on my library app for which of his books I read, so I’m reading his debut novel after reading the Shepherd books. For a first time published author The Dead Don’t Dance is stellar, and the sequel is excellent. How much pain can one family experience and come out with any kind of sanity? I will always hold these characters in my heart. Charles Martin writes people so realistically I feel like I know them. When the book is over I miss them. The relationships between the men are so beautiful. Dylan and Amos, and Dylan and Bryce, I just love them all so much. These books are filled with faith, forgiveness, and hope for the future.
June 14, 2023
Just read it. This is actually 2 of Martin’s books in one and I’m glad I read them back to back, but MAN it put me through an emotional wringer. Maggie and Dylan live on a farm in rural South Carolina and dream of being parents. Tragedy comes and the story is a picture of Dylan’s refusal to give up on his wife. I love the relationship they have with their neighbors and the way they constantly show up for one another. I really love the relationship Dylan has with his students in the first book and would have loved to have seen more of that in the second, but with everything else going on in the second book it may have taken away from the plot. Regardless, I just loved this book!
March 7, 2026
This book duo depicts a beautiful love story about a couple's struggles to have children and maintain a normal family. The setting is in a small town in South Carolina where the man was born and raised. They live in the same house and own the same land that was passed down for generations. There are so many things that happen to them as they struggle to overcome heartbreaking circumstances. I love this book, but it was hard to read mostly because much of their struggle in having children followed the same path as my own. It was beautifully written though, and showed that through it all, love will triumph.
October 14, 2019
"Down Where My Love Lives" includes The Complete Novels of "The Dead Don't Dance" and "Maggie", by author Charles Martin.
Heart-wrenching story of a young couple who radiated love and were intent on starting their family. Through so much trauma and life hitting them square in their face, what kept them sane and moving forward in hope, only God knows.
Wonderfully written, well developed characters, unusual settings brought this novel to my top list of best reads this year.
I intend to read Charles Martin's other novels. Highly recommended!
Heart-wrenching story of a young couple who radiated love and were intent on starting their family. Through so much trauma and life hitting them square in their face, what kept them sane and moving forward in hope, only God knows.
Wonderfully written, well developed characters, unusual settings brought this novel to my top list of best reads this year.
I intend to read Charles Martin's other novels. Highly recommended!
July 12, 2021
Life and love portrayed in this book (actually two books) will rip your heart in two and piece you back together. Not sappy, not pretend, not tv pretty, but the real deal -- between best friends, between husband and wife, and between these two and their close-knit community. There a bit of religion in there but I wouldn't call it preachy or pushy, just pivotal to the overall story. The whole thing just seemed so possible. I'm so glad Mr. Martin didn't give up on his dream of writing books; today's crazy world need all love and friendship it can get and his books give us some of both.
July 19, 2021
Down Where My Love Lives / Maggie
Charles Martin can write. I've read 3 of his books and everyone of them leaves me wishing the story wasn't ending. Dylan and Maggie's story is a wonderful adventure of a very strong love between a man and his wife. Actually it's a love between friends and neighbor's as well. With a faithful animal or two thrown in to the mix of great characters. Sometimes we all have to climb a lot of hills to end up in the comforts of the valley. The story made me smile, laugh, and cry. Thank you Charles Martin for the journey.
Charles Martin can write. I've read 3 of his books and everyone of them leaves me wishing the story wasn't ending. Dylan and Maggie's story is a wonderful adventure of a very strong love between a man and his wife. Actually it's a love between friends and neighbor's as well. With a faithful animal or two thrown in to the mix of great characters. Sometimes we all have to climb a lot of hills to end up in the comforts of the valley. The story made me smile, laugh, and cry. Thank you Charles Martin for the journey.
September 28, 2022
I am so glad this isn't my first book by Charles Martin. If it had, it might have been my only.
This wasn't his best book by any means.
He is way too wordy and there was a lot of characters that are in the book for just a little while, making it a long read that drags.
I also really like majority of his storylines but the second book in this is so over the top. I just kept rolling my eyes at how much kept happening to them.
I did like the main characters and character development but that didn't make up for the rest.
This wasn't his best book by any means.
He is way too wordy and there was a lot of characters that are in the book for just a little while, making it a long read that drags.
I also really like majority of his storylines but the second book in this is so over the top. I just kept rolling my eyes at how much kept happening to them.
I did like the main characters and character development but that didn't make up for the rest.
October 19, 2023
Down Where My Love Lives Review
This is another one of Charles Martin 's books that I've read the second time. Someday I'll probably read it again. His books are that good. He does have a way with words . ;-) I love the emotion, the drama, and passion of his stories. I think about them awhile after I finish reading them.
I would recommend this book to any adult reader, male or female who loves to read a good story. It might make you think you've only half experienced your life, maybe been coasting on idle too long.
This is another one of Charles Martin 's books that I've read the second time. Someday I'll probably read it again. His books are that good. He does have a way with words . ;-) I love the emotion, the drama, and passion of his stories. I think about them awhile after I finish reading them.
I would recommend this book to any adult reader, male or female who loves to read a good story. It might make you think you've only half experienced your life, maybe been coasting on idle too long.
November 1, 2025
...yet another winner
Each time I've finished a Charles Martin novel awestruck and wanting his next, I can't imagine it being anything but gripping and
Amazing. Well, he's done it again! This had me reading another chapter, though my eyes were weary. Kind of like a tv series when you'll watch just one more episode! Right!? And there's a bonus, which I won't divulge. So, now I'm going to search for my next Charles Martin, because he's simply brilliant..! Enjoy this as it pulls your heart in multiple ways.
Each time I've finished a Charles Martin novel awestruck and wanting his next, I can't imagine it being anything but gripping and
Amazing. Well, he's done it again! This had me reading another chapter, though my eyes were weary. Kind of like a tv series when you'll watch just one more episode! Right!? And there's a bonus, which I won't divulge. So, now I'm going to search for my next Charles Martin, because he's simply brilliant..! Enjoy this as it pulls your heart in multiple ways.
July 2, 2018
Good first novel
I started with THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US, so it's obvious that Martin has matured as an author. This is a good first one, though the characters sometimes seem one dimensional. Things are a bit contrived (Pastor John, etc) but the threads of Maggie and Dylan are real and intense.
I'll keep reading Martin's books. I like his style.
SEND DOWN THE RAIN was wonderful.
I started with THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US, so it's obvious that Martin has matured as an author. This is a good first one, though the characters sometimes seem one dimensional. Things are a bit contrived (Pastor John, etc) but the threads of Maggie and Dylan are real and intense.
I'll keep reading Martin's books. I like his style.
SEND DOWN THE RAIN was wonderful.
October 15, 2018
3.5 rounded up to 4**** "Down Where My Love Lives" is Charles Martin's debut novel. Honestly, as I was reading I thought this must be one of his earlier books because his style is not as developed as it is today. That being said, the story is very good with so much emotion and his characters are so well developed you feel like they are friends and family. A very fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed. This novel is broken down into two novels 1. The Dead Don't Dance and 2. Maggie. Don't make the mistake I did and purchase all three! EEK!
April 14, 2021
This is an amazing and beautiful book!! (It is actually two books). Charles Martin 's books never fail. It is a story of love, faith and friendship. It makes you laugh and cry. Maggie and Dylan go thru many horrible things in the book, but they are always there for each other. They have several friends who also having bad things happening, but they all care and help each other. I have read many of Charles Martin's books and they all are wonderful.
June 8, 2023
A must read. This was a book of love, a book of life, death, understanding,
This was a book of love a book of life death understanding, not understanding but mostly a book about God and love. Seldom do we get a book which shows the deep love two people can have for one another and both of joy and sorrow we can bring with God visible throughout the book. I smiled. I cried. And I did not want to put it down. Thank you
This was a book of love a book of life death understanding, not understanding but mostly a book about God and love. Seldom do we get a book which shows the deep love two people can have for one another and both of joy and sorrow we can bring with God visible throughout the book. I smiled. I cried. And I did not want to put it down. Thank you
August 12, 2018
Just so sad. I have a hard time reading books like this- because honestly real life presents enough opportunities for me to walk through real stories like this, and for my heart to break for those who are suffering.
So, I can take books like these in small doses. It is well written, thoughtful, and hope is woven throughout. There is a lot to love here.
So, I can take books like these in small doses. It is well written, thoughtful, and hope is woven throughout. There is a lot to love here.
September 27, 2020
Captivating, holding you in the story until the e d.
A love story that will draw you in and wrap its arms around you. Thank you to my friend who recommended Charles Martin's books. Weaves you into the story, fishing South Carolina couple and a journey of Lo e pain a d redemption.
A love story that will draw you in and wrap its arms around you. Thank you to my friend who recommended Charles Martin's books. Weaves you into the story, fishing South Carolina couple and a journey of Lo e pain a d redemption.
July 20, 2021
Just so you know this is two books - "the Dead Don't Dance" and "Maggie" about the same characters. It is one of Martin's earliest books. It is good for an early book but I have enjoyed his more recent works better. I think the stories could have been written with fewer pages. I loved the setting and it is mostly a love story with some beautiful characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews