Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto

"Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto" by Stanley R. Matthews is an action-packed adventure that plunges young readers into the heart of a perplexing mystery set in the nascent days of automobiles. The story follows the daring Motor Matt and his cautious companion, Carl Pretzel, as they stumble upon a ghostly, driverless car in the rugged landscapes of New Mexico. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Matt embarks on a quest to uncover the enigma surrounding the phantom auto, much to Carl's worry. Their investigation leads them to Dick Ferral, a young man connected to a secretive estate, and together, they become entangled in a web of unexplained occurrences – eerie cries in the night, vanishing vehicles, and hidden agendas – all set against a backdrop of vibrant, early 20th-century automotive culture, blending suspense with the thrill of adventure.