A PAIR OF ACES
A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious Mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian.
Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, has her sights set on the one and only Lucky Luciano, head of New York City’s five largest organized crime families. Other prosectors have tried to bring down Lucky, but they’ve all focused on the crime syndicate’s traditional businesses—bootlegging,
A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious Mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian.
Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, has her sights set on the one and only Lucky Luciano, head of New York City’s five largest organized crime families. Other prosectors have tried to bring down Lucky, but they’ve all focused on the crime syndicate’s traditional businesses—bootlegging, gambling, loan sharking, and drug dealing—or tax evasion. No one has thought to approach the mob through its role in prostitution. Until Eunice. But she can’t get Luciano alone.
Polly Adler has worked long and hard to build up her high-class brothel business. Her client list is filled with well-known names, both the famous and the infamous, who all know her booze is top-notch, her music first-rate, her food exquisite, and her girls the best. But Lucky has gone too far, putting her girls in danger, and Polly finally sees the chance to end his reign once and for all.
Together, Eunice and Polly fashion a case utilizing a network of women. Bridging the enormous divide between them and risking their own lives, they assemble evidence bit by bit, under the nose of the man they’re trying to convict. It is this very alliance—of two women from vastly different worlds—that launches the most sensational trial New York City has ever seen.
- Berkley
- Hardcover
- June 2026
- 400 Pages
- 9780593637937
Buy the Book
$30.00
About Marie Benedict & Vitoria Christopher Murray
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years of experience as a litigator. A graduate of Boston College and Boston University School of Law, she is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Daughter of Egypt, The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Lady Clementine, The Only Woman in the Room, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Other Einstein. She has also coauthored with Victoria Christopher Murray the New York Times bestselling The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for national book clubs. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including her most recent release Harlem Rhapsody. With Marie Benedict, she coauthored The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. She is an NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Praise
“Two women from two different worlds – one dedicated to stamping out organized crime in 1930’s New York City, one whose livelihood depends on catering to the illegal appetites of the City’s famous and infamous. The ace writing duo of Benedict and Murray are at the top of their game in this fast-paced and fascinating novel of two underestimated women who risk their lives to bring down New York’s most notorious mobster, Lucky Luciano. A Pair of Aces is a dazzling, page-turning work of historical fiction that crackles with life and suspense.”—Marie Bostwick, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Club for Troublesome Women
“Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray prove once again that they are forces in historical fiction. Together, these two are masterful storytellers.”—Kennedy Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of Score
“These masterful storytellers deliver a deeply satisfying courtroom drama that offers the rare pleasure of seeing justice done. The takedown of Lucky Luciano is exhilarating—but the novel’s true force rests in two formidable women working in the shadows to build the case. With clarity, courage, and remarkable honesty, the authors explore the forces that silence the vulnerable. By giving us a glimpse into the soft heart of the infamous brothel owner Polly Adler, and by centering Eunice Carter—a towering legal mind and overlooked American hero—this novel delivers a powerful punch and a much-needed historical reminder of what can be accomplished with grit and determination. Smart fiction perfect for the times. Just terrific!“—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Madam Secretary
“A thrilling story of power, justice, and remarkable women, expertly written by a duo of masterful authors.“—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book Society
“Cinematic and riveting!“—Nancy Johnson, bestselling author of The Kindest Lie
“A propulsive, inspiring crime story of two unsung women of history carving spaces for themselves in a violent, patriarchal world that wants them silent and docile. Eunice and Polly are a pair you can’t help but root for, and figures from history I’ll never forget. Set against the dangerous yet glamorous criminal underbelly of 1930s New York, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have masterfully written another must-read for 20th century historical fiction lovers, or anyone who’s had to fight against the odds for justice and respect.“—Erin Crosby-Eckstine, author of the Good Morning America Book Club pick Junie
“Another detailed and dazzling exploration of an unlikely alliance between two women often overlooked by history but whose contributions to real-life events were pivotal… Lively and lasting portraits of two heroic women.”—Booklist
“The plot is engaging, the main characters are brave and relatable, and the pacing is brisk.”—Library Journal
“Historical fiction at its best.“—Good Morning America
“The book’s narrative is seamless…I became hooked.”—NPR
“A fascinating story!”—Real Simple
“Benedict and Murray bring their knack for historical fiction to a story of the women’s unlikely alliance and the ways their bond and efforts forged the beginnings of the modern civil rights movement.”—Entertainment Weekly
Discussion Questions
- Eunice Carter and Polly Adler come from very different worlds, yet form an unlikely alliance. What ultimately connects them—shared goals, mutual respect, necessity, or something deeper?
- Both women are navigating systems controlled by men. In what ways do they work within those systems versus pushing against them? Which approach feels more effective?
- Eunice’s ambition is a central tension in her personal life. Do you see her sacrifices as justified? How did you feel about the impact on her husband and son?
- Polly’s backstory is marked by trauma and survival. How did her early experiences shape the choices she makes later in life? Did your perception of her evolve over the course of the book?
- The novel explores different forms of power—legal, social, economic, and sexual. Which characters hold real power, and how do they use (or misuse) it?
- Polly sees herself as protecting the women who work for her. Do you view her as a protector, an exploiter, or both? Where did you land on her moral compass?
- Eunice Carter is working within the justice system to take down Luciano. Did the book portray the system as fair and just, or flawed and selective? How does that shape your view of the case?
- How does the dual POV structure affect your understanding of the story? Did you find yourself sympathizing more with one woman over the other?
- Family expectations play a major role in both women’s lives. How do Eunice’s upbringing and Polly’s obligations to her family influence their decisions and sense of identity?
- The partnership between Eunice and Polly is built on risk. What do each of them stand to gain—and lose—by working together?
- Lucky Luciano operates largely as a force of disruption and control. How effective was his portrayal as an antagonist? Did he feel like a fully realized character or more symbolic?
- At its core, the novel raises questions about justice and morality. Do you think justice was truly served in Luciano’s conviction? Why or why not?