What do you think?
Rate this book
A Perfect Act
Alonzo Probe is an African-American private investigator operating in a world of hard-edged, cynical characters in mid-1970s Detroit.
He returned home from Vietnam to a changing world, and soon after, the murder of his childhood friend, Black militant Larry Cooke. Probe buried his friend and moved on until five years later, when rumors started that Cooke was an FBI informant. Goaded by an old acquaintance and feeling guilty for not having his friend’s back, Probe, is determined to clear his friend’s name.
A Perfect Act is a mystery thriller novel from author James Mallory.
He returned home from Vietnam to a changing world, and soon after, the murder of his childhood friend, Black militant Larry Cooke. Probe buried his friend and moved on until five years later, when rumors started that Cooke was an FBI informant. Goaded by an old acquaintance and feeling guilty for not having his friend’s back, Probe, is determined to clear his friend’s name.
A Perfect Act is a mystery thriller novel from author James Mallory.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2025
1 person is currently reading
About the author
James Mallory
34 books93 followersJames Mallory is a professional ghostwriter with several books to his credit. Under his own name, he wrote the three-part novelization of the Hallmark Merlin miniseries: The Old Magic, The King's Wizard, and The End of Magic.
James was born in San Francisco and attended schools in California and the Midwest, before moving to New York to pursue a career in writing. He has held an assortment of jobs in the publishing industry, but has been fortunate enough to devote his full time to writing for a number of years, including the opportunity to collaborate with Mercedes Lackey on the critically-acclaimed Obsidian Mountain trilogy. Their partnership will continue with the upcoming Enduring Flame trilogy.
From an early age, James has been fascinated both with the Arthurian legends and their historical evolution, an avocation which triggered a lifelong interest in fantasy literature. He also enjoys studying medieval and European history, comparative religion, and the iconography and symbology of traditional folk legends. His other interests include hiking and cinema.
James resides in California with his faithful companion Diogenes, who is no less philosophical for being canine-American.
James was born in San Francisco and attended schools in California and the Midwest, before moving to New York to pursue a career in writing. He has held an assortment of jobs in the publishing industry, but has been fortunate enough to devote his full time to writing for a number of years, including the opportunity to collaborate with Mercedes Lackey on the critically-acclaimed Obsidian Mountain trilogy. Their partnership will continue with the upcoming Enduring Flame trilogy.
From an early age, James has been fascinated both with the Arthurian legends and their historical evolution, an avocation which triggered a lifelong interest in fantasy literature. He also enjoys studying medieval and European history, comparative religion, and the iconography and symbology of traditional folk legends. His other interests include hiking and cinema.
James resides in California with his faithful companion Diogenes, who is no less philosophical for being canine-American.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 26, 2025
Deep dive into a turbulent era
“A Perfect Act” offers insights into pivotal events during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Based in Detroit, Vietnam War veteran turned private investigator Alonzo Probe peels back layers of commitment, betrayal, and government malfeasance while investigating the mysterious death of his friend five years earlier. In the process, author Mallory takes us on a full-throated thrill ride that captures the sights, sounds and flavors of black life in the Motor City that mainstream media typically overlooks. In the end, we’re left clamoring for Alonzo Probe’s next adventure.
“A Perfect Act” offers insights into pivotal events during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Based in Detroit, Vietnam War veteran turned private investigator Alonzo Probe peels back layers of commitment, betrayal, and government malfeasance while investigating the mysterious death of his friend five years earlier. In the process, author Mallory takes us on a full-throated thrill ride that captures the sights, sounds and flavors of black life in the Motor City that mainstream media typically overlooks. In the end, we’re left clamoring for Alonzo Probe’s next adventure.
Displaying 1 of 1 review