The Phantom Bugatti

Set in Cleveland and rural Indiana in the Y2K era, world-wary Jack Reinhart has just inherited his Grandfather's forgotten farm. Visiting the property for the first time since his youth, Jack discovers hidden under the barn, a rare French-built Bugatti car from 1931.Against his wife Sally's initial wish, Jack decides to restore the antique and seeks out advice from an early automobile expert who gives him the confidence to pursue it. Without any experience, Jack enlists help from a mechanical high school buddy. They start making routine visits to the farm and soon engage with locals at a nearby tavern, including two attractive sisters who operate a cafe.Gradually, Jack finds a kindred spirit in one of them, Rosie, who helps him piece together the puzzle of his Grandfather's Bugatti. At the same time, he loses trust in his buddy, whose motives he questions. The restoration is further complicated by Jack's lack of funds and marital issues.According to the author, "My novel imagines an average guy's journey of self-discovery through the process of restoring a family heirloom and his own life goals. Elements of legacy, family secrets, love, and betrayal come together as Jack uncovers truths about his world. For classic auto buffs, an intriguing link is drawn between one of Europe's car entrepreneurs, Ettore Bugatti, and Auburn Automobile Company's legendary E.L. Cord, who transformed the fledgling Indiana carmaker in the same era."