Ancient Secrets, Modern Struggles—This Novel is One Epic Adventure You Won’t Forget

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Beyond Our Horizons – Where spiritual intrigue, ancient history, and the search for hope collide in a story that dares readers to look beyond the familiar.

Some stories entertain. Some stories inspire. Beyond Our Horizons does both—and then pushes readers past the edge of the map into a world where faith, mystery, ancient history, and mental‑health struggle collide in a way that feels startlingly fresh.

This is the debut novel of New Zealand author Matt Froggatt, a writer whose life has been shaped by adventure, faith, and a relentless curiosity about the world God created. Matt doesn’t just tell stories—he opens doors to bigger questions, deeper hope, and the thrilling possibility that God’s world is far more extraordinary than we’ve dared to imagine.

The Adventure That Grabs Readers from Page One

Beyond Our Horizons launches readers into a cinematic world of ancient ruins, lost history, spiritual warfare, and advanced ancient technology. The story follows Tim Harison, his fiancé Charlotte, and his younger brother Chad.  Tim—a New Zealand‑born historian is documenting groundbreaking discoveries at the Richat Project—the world’s largest archaeological excavation on the western edge of the Sahara.

When Tim invites Chad—struggling with depression and anxiety—and Charlotte to join him, the trio step into an adventure far more dangerous, mysterious and awe‑inspiring than they expect.

What begins as a simple visit quickly becomes a high‑stakes treasure hunt involving:

– lost history buried beneath the Sahara

– breathtaking discoveries that challenge conventional understanding.

– mysterious artefacts containing advanced ancient technology

– a supernatural geopolitical realm hidden beneath twelve thousand years of human story

They soon encounter Tim’s circle of friends and the enigmatic leaders of Red Sword Security, who appear to be protecting the excavation from powerful adversaries entangled in an ancient conflict.

The novel blends Kiwi‑Aussie humour, character‑driven storytelling, mental‑health and theological dilemmas, and fast‑paced action. It challenges the status quo, explores faith with imagination and honesty, and invites readers to consider whether there is more to life, history, and God than what lies within the boundaries of their current horizon.

Why This Book Sells

Beyond Our Horizons stands out because it refuses to be predictable. It’s bold. It’s imaginative. It’s spiritually rich without being preachy, and adventurous without losing emotional depth. It’s the kind of story readers finish and immediately want to talk about.

It appeals to readers who love:

– Indiana Jones‑style adventure

– ancient mysteries and lost history

– faith‑based themes with depth and imagination

– stories that explore mental health with honesty

– cinematic action blended with spiritual intrigue

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong pre‑release sales and enthusiastic responses from both adult and young‑adult readers. Work is underway to expand its presence in Christian bookstores and libraries across New Zealand and Australia, reflecting the strong early demand for the book.

A Life That Fuels a Story Worth Reading

Matt grew up across New Zealand as a third‑generation Christian in a Salvation Army family, experiencing firsthand the power of the Gospel to transform lives and communities. His upbringing taught him that following Jesus is not a quiet, predictable path—it’s the greatest adventure of all. That conviction became the heartbeat of Beyond Our Horizons.

Now living in Palmerston North with his wife Amanda and their three children—Kaylee, Ester, and Mikey—Matt draws inspiration from family, faith, and wide‑open spaces in the outdoors. His background is uniquely diverse: A Diploma in Pastoral Leadership, a decade in youth work, and years in plastics manufacturing. These experiences shaped a writer who sees life through both a practical and spiritual lens, someone who believes deeply in exploring beyond what is safe, familiar, or expected.

Matt’s journey also includes navigating anxiety and depression—an experience that gave him a deep compassion for those who struggle and a desire to write stories that resonate emotionally as well as spiritually. His heart for people, combined with his love for adventure, became the emotional engine behind Beyond Our Horizons.

And as a committed rugby purist and supporter of the All Blacks and Chiefs, Matt’s love for New Zealand’s culture and identity pulses through the cinematic landscapes of his writing.

Beyond Our Horizons is his debut novel and published by Ark House, is now available globally.