T. Walter Taylor, a retired corporate lawyer with over 30 years of practice, has published his first 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, as he sets down his own account of the man he followed and how that man's story grew 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."
Matthew is the son of a tax collector in Tiberias. He first hears of Jesus at about sixteen, and part of the pull is Mary of Magdala, who can't stop talking about him. Matthew follows Jesus from John the Baptizer's camp on the Jordan to Galilee and on to Jerusalem. Some of the sharpest 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 begins in 26 AD and runs through Paul's ministry, the Jerusalem Council, the Jewish War and the fall of Masada. Taylor grounds it in first-century history, Hebrew scripture and classical writers such as Josephus and Livy. The book closes with a final revelation 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," said Taylor.
Matthew's Story is written for readers of historical fiction and for anyone curious about the historical Jesus and how Christianity began. The novel is available in paperback for $16.99 and as an eBook for $9.99. It can be purchased from Amazon and through bookstores and libraries via Ingram. The paperback ISBN is 978-1-0679746-0-2, and the eBook ISBN is 978-1-0679746-2-6.
T. Walter Taylor 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.
This debut novel matters because it brings a unique perspective to the historical Jesus genre. Taylor's legal background and lifelong study of classical texts inform a narrative that treats the origins of Christianity as a case to be examined, with Matthew as a witness confessing long-held secrets. The book's blend of historical detail and imaginative speculation may appeal to readers seeking a fresh take on familiar events. For the publishing industry, it represents another entry in the thriving market for historical fiction with religious themes, a category that continues to attract both general readers and those interested in the historical foundations of faith. The novel's release could spark discussions about the intersection of history, belief, and storytelling, and it may encourage other professionals to pursue writing in retirement. As Taylor's first foray into fiction, it also highlights the growing trend of self-published or independently published works finding audiences through major retailers and library distributors.
