After more than 30 years practicing corporate law, T. Walter Taylor has published his debut novel, Matthew's Story: A Novel About Jesus. The book, released on September 11, 2026, is narrated by the Apostle Matthew at the end of his life, offering a fictional firsthand account of the man he followed and how his story evolved into a new religion.
The novel opens with Matthew's confession: "I am an old man. I will die soon. I have decided that it is now time for me to share the story of some deceptions which gave rise to what is now called Christianity." This framing sets the tone for a narrative that blends historical research with imaginative speculation. Matthew, the son of a tax collector in Tiberias, first hears of Jesus at about sixteen, drawn in part by Mary of Magdala, who can't stop talking about him. He follows Jesus from John the Baptizer's camp on the Jordan to Galilee and on to Jerusalem. Along the way, sharp ideas come from Marcus, a slave in his family's household who knows more scripture than any of them and isn't afraid to say so.
The story spans from 26 AD through Paul's ministry, the Jerusalem Council, the Jewish War, and the fall of Masada. Taylor grounds the novel in first-century history, Hebrew scripture, and classical writers such as Josephus and Livy. The book closes with a final revelation that readers won't see coming.
"I imagined a close follower of Jesus who, at the end of his life, confesses the secrets he kept, and how those secrets, woven into Greek, Roman, and Jewish beliefs, turned Jesus into a new path to God," Taylor said.
Matthew's Story is written for readers of historical fiction and for anyone curious about the historical Jesus and how Christianity began. It arrives at a time of sustained popular and scholarly interest in the historical roots of the world's largest religion, a topic that continues to generate debate among historians, theologians, and general readers alike.
Taylor's background is as varied as his subject matter. He holds degrees in science, business, and law. He began his career as a science and physical education teacher, later earned an MBA, and practiced corporate law for over 30 years. He has kept a lifelong interest in classical studies and world religions. Matthew's Story is his first novel. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.
The book is available in paperback (ISBN: 978-1-0679746-0-2) for $16.99 and as an eBook (ISBN: 978-1-0679746-2-6) for $9.99. It can be purchased from Amazon and through bookstores and libraries via Ingram.
For the publishing industry, Taylor's debut represents a notable entry in the growing market for biblically inspired historical fiction. With its blend of legal precision, classical scholarship, and narrative ambition, the novel may appeal to readers who enjoy both entertainment and intellectual engagement with religious history. Its release could also signal a broader trend of professionals from other fields turning to fiction later in life, bringing unique perspectives to well-worn subjects.
