The Greatest Prize

by Matt Stanley

1840, Cairo. Young tour guide Ned receives an invitation to act as private secretary to the mysterious historian Abraham Hoakes-Macauley on an overland trek to Jerusalem.

The truth? This is a quest to find the True rediscovered in the fourth century, stolen by invaders, lost in the Crusades and rumoured throughout history. Ned and the colourful band of travellers must traverse the Holy Land via Sinai, Petra, the Dead Sea and Damascus in search of the greatest prize in Christendom.

Meanwhile, unscrupulous American adventurer Lincoln Glory is in close pursuit and will do anything to obtain the Cross. The two groups chase through desert and mountain, souk and temple, bathhouse and tomb – amid doubt and faith, love and betrayal.

Does the True Cross exist? And what might finding it mean?

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

Reviews

[Charlie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of colourful characters with a fascinating insight into theological history whilst keeping the reader engaged in the plot. I loved the characters and the way they develop throughout the book, especially Ned. Hakim’s early comments to Abraham concerning his young ward Danäe made me laugh. The descriptions of the various landscapes and sites are excellent. They give you a real feeling for the places without being overwhelming and “flowery” (I’m not a fan of flowery description.) A great tale of adventure, and as it says on the tin, doubt, faith, love and betrayal. Well worth a read!