A surprise ending to a murder mystery with a somewhat familiar setting highlights the latest book in the annual series penned by Russellville author Algie Ray Smith.
Pinball Wizard is the 15th paperback book in the series written and published by Smith, a retired language arts teacher in the Russellville and Todd County schools who continues to operate the service station, started by his late dad, A.C. Smith, in the middle of the 20th century. His popular books usually sell out each year.
Smith & Sons Service is located in what has long been known as Russellville’s East End. Algie Ray and his siblings grew up there, and most of the Smith books are centered from that area to downtown Russellville.
Across the X formed by the intersections of the Bowling Green, Franklin and Clarksville roads is another Russellville landmark, the Colonial Inn, although it doesn’t go by that name in the book. That restaurant, “Boss’ Café,” is the focal point of Pinball Wizard. A fire which claimed the life of the owner—at least in this book—is considered a murder.
Pinball Wizard features to aged characters in the present day trying to solve that mystery of long ago. Through countless flashbacks, the author sets up that surprising climax. It turns out both of them already knew who set the fire.
Algie Ray Smith, of course, is one of the two characters. He is the “pinball wizard” of generations past. In most of his books, he is ‘Joey,’ who plays with his siblings and their friends, marvels at the wisdom of his grandmother, ‘Mammy’, and learns from his dad’s business and common sense.
In the first of this series of books, Joey’s life is light-hearted. Joey’s Stories, Abe’s Place, Sixteen Treasures, Class of 59, and Mammy and the Wild Apes were mostly fun, filled with names and places many of us grew up with in the Land of Logan.
In recent years, the books have become darker, the references more veiled, and the subject matter more serious. That’s the case with Pinball Wizard.
Still there are recognizable people and places, although by different names. Elvis’ Eat-Rite Diner refers to Elvis Perry’s Parkview Restaurant. Citizens’ Bank is Citizens National Bank, now First Southern National Bank. The Dixie Picture Show refers to the Dixie Theater on East Fourth Street. Richardson Funeral Home was owned by Sam Richardson. Krogers actually had a location where Crabtree Furniture is now located. Ninth and Summer Streets are mentioned, and the people from this area are “East Enders” in the book.
A key location is a funeral home, which is Winston Funeral Home thinly disguised. In addition to founder William Winston, the book introduces his successor, the late Willie Hampton, a close friend of the Smiths in real life. He’s called “Mr. Ham” in the book. Nature Glo Cosmetic Embalming Fluid—found in the trash behind the funeral home—is an important ingredient in the mystery.
Two teachers are named. “Miss Pipes, my English teacher” refers to Eleanor Piper, and teacher “Mrs. Strongall” would be Katherine Lyle Stengell, whose Latin classes helped build solid English foundations for Russellville students.
Mammy is Cora Jane Woodward Whiting and two of her brothers, Young ‘Teeter’ Woodward and Ross Woodward, get passing mention.
Young friends of the Pinball Wizard are called Gasman (Bertram Gass), Beans (Harold Dennison), Ikey (Ike Duncan), Dick Barton (Dickie Boster) and Spot (Algie Ray’s beloved brother, the late Ken Smith).
An interesting side trip in the plot tells of the origins of “Apple Grove Cemetery,” which, of course, is Maple Grove Cemetery. The land for the cemetery, according to the book, came from a man named Amaddeus Jensen. According to an Aug. 3, 1962 News-Democrat article, Maple Grove Cemetery originated when John B and Sarah Bibb deeded land from the Samuel Gray Addition to the city to be used as a “public burying ground.” The article also credits Charles Ryan, Nimrod and Mary Long, D.W. Broadnax, and Lucy C. Bowling for having played a role in the expansion of what was first known as “Ever Green” to Maple Grove Cemetery.
The book is dedicated to the memory of two of Smith’s sisters, Eva Smith Page and Joy Smith Harbison, along with their friend, Nancy Carter Yates.
Art work in this and all of the recent Smith books is by local artist Sonny Green. He has prints available from a number of local scenes, which can be purchased from him at 613 Russellville Street, Russellville, KY 42276.
Algie Ray Smith held his annual book signing at Riley-White Drugs on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Books can still be purchased from him at the service station or by sending $10 to Smith at 917 Sunset Lane, Russellville 42276.