Debut author Xavier Romain has released 'Gospels & Murder,' a historical novel set in ancient Alexandria and Jerusalem that explores spiritual intrigue, political tension, and the resilience of early believers. The story follows retired centurion Quintus Cornelius Amadeo as he becomes entangled in a quest to protect a lost gospel after a messenger is murdered in Alexandria's harbor, with factions vying for control of sacred documents that could reunite a fractured congregation.
Romain describes the novel as being "about the weight of memory and the cost of silence," noting that Thanksgiving felt like an appropriate time for its release to honor those who carried traditions forward. The narrative delves into how stories are preserved, distorted, and reclaimed, examining what it means to bear witness when original witnesses are gone, through characters including Quintus, Ashri, and scribe Jabari.
The novel's historical setting spans from the siege of Jerusalem to the halls of the Great Library, with Romain employing cinematic and reverent prose to immerse readers in a world where scripture serves as both salvation and battleground. This exploration of faith, empire, and storytelling power addresses how truth can become fragile when carried by few willing to risk everything.
'Gospels & Murder' represents Romain's literary debut, blending emotional realism with historical depth from his lifelong fascination with how storytelling preserves what history forgets. The book is available for purchase at Amazon.
This publication matters because it engages with enduring questions about historical narratives, authority over sacred texts, and individual responsibility in preserving truth—themes that resonate with contemporary debates about historical interpretation and religious tradition. By examining how early believers navigated imperial pressures and internal divisions, the novel offers perspective on modern challenges of maintaining integrity in information transmission and community cohesion amid competing interests.
The novel's focus on the materiality of texts—scrolls hunted, hidden, and contested—highlights the physical vulnerability of historical records and the human effort required to sustain cultural memory. This has implications for understanding how foundational religious and historical narratives have been shaped by both preservation and loss, inviting reflection on what stories might have been excluded from dominant traditions and why.
For the publishing industry, Romain's debut demonstrates continued reader interest in historically grounded fiction that treats spiritual themes with seriousness, particularly works that bridge genre boundaries between historical fiction, mystery, and theological exploration. The novel's timing around Thanksgiving emphasizes themes of gratitude for historical carriers of tradition, connecting seasonal reflection with broader questions about legacy and memory.
