Amazon Reader Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars - Great Story
This story just flows. A man is left a rural farm. He finds a rare Bugatti, loses his wife to jelousy and finds a new life. Good read.
Charles, November 1, 2024 Verified Purchase
4.0 out of 5 stars - Restoration of man and car
Good characters and an engaging plot distinguish this tale of a life gone stale energized by an old car and a new love.
Greg Donley, November 10, 2024 - Verified Purchase
5.0 out of 5 stars - Discovery and Suspense..YES …a definite page turner
I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t know I could get this interested in a car. Also a fine story about finding oneself.
August 15, 2024 Verified Purchase
5.0 out of 5 stars - Secrets Uncovered
This gripping story pulls you into Jack Reinhart’s unexpected discovery of a hidden vintage Bugatti and the tangled web of secrets that come with it. As Jack navigates trust, betrayal, and the mystery behind the treasure, the suspense keeps you hooked. Perfect for fans of thrillers with a touch of classic car allure, this book will keep you guessing until the end.
From Florida, October 14, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars - An engaging book.
Interesting characters and a few surprise turns make this a worthwhile read. Reviewed October 14, 2024
Top reviews from other countries:
5.0 out of 5 stars - Good read
Excellent read, well written, enjoyed it all the way through.
Lurcher, United Kingdom,October 23, 2024 Verified Purchase
4.0 out of 5 stars - Interested in cars?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2024
For anyone who has an interest in old cars this is for you. The writer weaves a story around the finding and renovation of a very old Bugatti. Add to this a love, jealousy element coupled with a spurned wife gives the story more interest than just working on a car remake.
Curtis Hawk, best-selling author and vintage car expert:
Truesdell's cinematic style pulls you into an ordinary couple's feud after an astonishing discovery with foreboding consequences. The vintage Bugatti's restoration illuminates the story sublimely. A delight for fans of Dean Koontz and James Patterson.
American Bugatti Club newsletter
Reading "THE PHANTOM BUGATTI" is not unlike a ride in one of our beloved Bugattis -- often a bit of an adventure! You'll find it a fun ride coupled with a bit of history, mystery, and even a tug at your heartstrings.
Lynn Willburn, Classic car collector
Literary Titan Awards Review
The Phantom Bugatti is part mystery, part memoir, and part love letter to a bygone era of automobiles and Americana. It follows Jack Reinhart, a Cleveland-based graphic designer, who inherits a dilapidated farm from his grandfather and discovers a dismantled, underground Bugatti car hidden beneath the old barn. The novel blends the nostalgic pull of family legacy with a mystery involving rare cars, obscure histories, and the slow unraveling of a hidden past. As Jack digs deeper, literally and emotionally, he confronts the ghosts of family, identity, and choices that echo across generations.
What I appreciated most about this book was how the writing pulled me in without any pretentiousness. It felt honest. The dialogue sounded real, especially between Jack and his wife Sally, whose strained marriage gave the story a low, constant hum of tension. There’s an understated rhythm in the pacing, nothing too fast or flashy, but it works. It gave me time to care about what was unfolding, to really picture that creaky barn, that dirt road, and the fragile history buried beneath it. Some scenes felt cinematic, even though they were described in such simple terms.
Sally’s bitterness grated on me after a while, and I found myself wanting her to surprise me. But what really stuck was Jack’s mix of curiosity and quiet stubbornness. His conversations with Mickey Mishne, the Bugatti expert, were highlights, touching and nerdy in the best way. The book’s heart lies in its obsession with craft; restoring a car becomes a metaphor for repairing memory and self-worth. I was surprised by how emotional some passages made me feel. The whole thing has this dusty, lived-in feel that reminds you of how deeply things from the past can matter, even if they’re rusted and half-forgotten.
I’d recommend The Phantom Bugatti to readers who like stories that unfold slowly, with detail and care. Car lovers will get a kick out of the vintage vehicle lore, but you don’t have to be a gearhead to appreciate what’s here. It’s also for people who’ve ever felt a pull back to a place that shaped them, or wondered what secrets their family didn’t pass down.
Rating: 5