by 
The Phantom
by Frank Settineri
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The Phantom is a realistic fantasy about Tarchon, his girlfriend, Julia, hockey, and a paint so black that it absorbs all the light that strikes it. Julia’s dad discovered the paint, Tarchon’s dad used it in his paintings, and his mom used it in her biological research to cure cancer. Life was serene for Tarchon and Julia, until the scientists in Hanford, Washington, introduced the paint into their gravitational wave detector called LIGO. Then pandemonium broke out. The FBI and military, Homeland Security, the United States, and Italian governments became enraptured with it, and established covert operations resulting in stealing, cheating, lying, betraying, kidnapping, and the killing of innocent people for the sake of “making the world a better place.” Even though Julia and Tarchon were only teenagers, they witnessed the outrageous behaviors that money, power, and greed can generate and learned that the very same people who perpetuate these deeds do not have a clue at how egregious they act. These champions of society, who claim to be benevolent, created unsavory situations that could result in the total annihilation of the world. This story, steeped in science, romance, and suspense, takes the reader on a convoluted journey to a climatic ending that may or may not be pleasant.
A Word from the Author
This book was inspired by Stephen King who stated he looks at something – like an old car behind a diner – and writes a book about it (From a Buick 8). It was also inspired by the existence of paint so black that it absorbs almost all light, like a black hole. I merged the two inspirations, added my fascination with human nature and my novel was born. This work reflects my passion for science, hockey and relationships; it is a suspenseful, realistic, science fiction novel without vampires, zombies or time travel. It is an extension of my heart.
(Frank Settineri, March 2020)