A Pair of Aces: A Reese's Book Club Pick
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
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REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - 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 prosecutors 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.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780593637937
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
- Publisher
- Berkley Books
- Published Date
- June 2, 2026
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 400
- Physical Info
- 1.6 in H x 9.1 in L x 6.1 in W (1.28 lb)

I loved every word,, This is a real page turner from real life about real people. It’s a story of. Two Women’s commitment to truth and justice even when no one wants to listen.
Eunice Carter and Pearl “Polly” Adler couldn’t have been more different but became united to bring down a notorious criminal! Great story of how even though it was 2 women who risked it all and gathered the evidence, received none of the accolades.“I hope that her contributions will become better known and this enormous accomplishment will become her legacy!”
A Pair of Aces was an excellent read. Although I knew of Lucky Luciano, I had no idea of the role these women played in his downfall. Their determination, strength, and intelligence was amazing, and I am shocked that I had not heard of them earlier. Although based in fact, it read as a thriller, with all their efforts clicking into place in the final pages. Highly recommended for all lovers of historical fiction.I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Pair of Aces is absolutely riveting from the first page to the last! I just loved it! The book is based on two strong and determined women in New York City. Eunice Carter graduated from college and law school and became the first Black female prosecutor in New York City, working in the division devoted to investigating organized crime. Polly Adler is a prominent and very successful New York City madam, who has survived insurmountable odds to reach the status that she has attained. Sent by her parents from Russia to the United States alone at the age of 13, she struggled to escape brutal factory work, and her abusive boss. She is determined that the girls who work for her are taken care of and protected, as she never was. Two very different women, who formed an unusual alliance, in spite of the dangers to each of them, and their loved ones, to ensure that the infamous, brutal Lucky Luciano is brought to justice. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have written a brilliant, well researched and thrilling historical fiction that beautifully captures the story of these two remarkably brave women who defied the odds to bring down one of the most notorious criminals in modern history. The opinions of this review are my own.
3.5 stars… This was a tough one for me to rate because I absolutely loved the premise. A story centered on Eunice Carter, Polly Adler, and the effort to bring down Lucky Luciano sounded right up my alley.I enjoyed learning more about these historical figures and the time period, but I never felt as invested in the story as I wanted to be. The pacing felt a bit slow for me, and I found myself wishing for more tension and excitement given the fascinating real-life events behind the novel.Overall, I think this will work better for readers who enjoy slower-paced historical fiction. While it didn’t fully click for me, I appreciated the spotlight it shines on two remarkable women and their place in history.
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