Michel Benoit is a French author who writes thriller novels and conducts religious scholarship under the pseudonym Michel Benoit. He has an impressive academic background, having earned a PhD in Pharmacology before becoming an unordained monk in the Benedictine order at the abbey of St. Benoit sur Loire. Benoit remained a monk for 22 years, but his non-conformity to the church's ideals led him to leave and pursue a career in writing.
Benoit's work as a writer is informed by his extensive research and personal experiences. He first became published in 1992 when his memoirs, "Prisoner of God," were released. This autobiographical account of his life in the monastery became an international bestseller. Benoit then went on to publish two religious essays and a travel book based on a trip to India.
In 2006, Benoit became a published fiction author with the release of "The Thirteenth Apostle," a novel based on his lifetime research on the life of Jesus Christ. This book, while a work of fiction, is said to be derived from the author's in-depth studies and knowledge of the subject matter. Benoit's unique background and experiences have come together to create a body of work that is both thought-provoking and engaging.