A Pair of Aces

by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

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 hand 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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Audiobook, Book Club, Thriller

399 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. With Courtney Sheinmel, she co-wrote the first in a middle grade historical adventure series, called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.

Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.

Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel was both brilliant and powerful! This is set in New York in the 1930’s and features a diverse cast and plenty of drama! I found this book to be informative, tense, inspiring, emotional, and adventurous. The characters were lovable and well-developed. This book started on the slow side, but really began building up towards the middle, and ended perfectly.

Two completely different women get together and take down a well known mob boss! The elements that this book has are phenomenal. It comes with strong female leads, real history, and a newfound sisterhood! I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction and powerful women! It gave me the movie, Gangster Squad” vibes! Overall, I give this book a 4 star rating!

Thank you to NetGalley, authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is set to be published on June 2, 2026!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collaboration by Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict.

4.25

RTC

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
The duo of Benedict and Murray as writers of historical fiction are two for two in my world. The Personal Librarian was one of my favorite books of the last few years and this new one that I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of, did not disappoint. They have a knack for telling biographical stories with incredible depth and description that makes you feel like you know the characters intimately.

In this case, they recount the two women who took down one the most notorious New York gangsters of the era, Lucky Luciano, at a time when women were primarily relegated to background roles.

I turned a lot of people on to The Personal Librarian and I will recommend this book to those same people with equal enthusiasm!

[Sherwood Smith]

What could a madam and a Black female lawyer in the 1930s have in common?

Putting abusive, corrupt gangster kingpins behind bars. (Relevant to today, sadly, so very relevant.)

Meticulously researched and absorbingly written. The authors take their time building the world as well as the characters, so that the reader really gets into their well-worn shoes. It can get grim at times, but it's very well done, avoiding the merely salacious detail and keeping the eye on the prize: women who work for agency, and attain the goal. In spite of the fallout in a men's world.

A very gripping read.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical fiction based on a true story. Starring a madam, a mob boss and a Black female prosecutor in the 1930s this propulsive story will keep you entertained and in suspense. Great character development and an intriguing premise. A story of two unlikely, strong women who respected each other enough to become allies working towards a common goal. "A Pair of Aces". We could learn a lot from their example about reaching across the aisle and befriending those different from us.

The audiobook performance by Robbie Miles and Barrie Kreinik is exceptional. They bring the characters and their personalities along with the tension to life.

Many thanks to PRH Audio for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧

[TAYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pub date - 6/23/26
Author - Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Publisher - Berkley
Rating - 3⭐️

There’s more than one way to take down organized crime.

A Pair of Aces takes off from the start and doesn’t stop until it’s over. I really enjoyed the mystery and atmosphere of this novel. The writing is well done - precise and calculated.
I especially liked watching the friendship that developed between Eunice and Polly as this is the basis of the story. It was an unlikely covert friendship, but at the same time necessary, even risky. That careful dance of trust was portrayed perfectly. Going up against the mob is a particularly difficult thing to do on your own. Watching their friendship flourish through the most difficult circumstances showed determination and trust.
I recommend this to all those who want an easy read that’s not hard to follow. Clean, historical mob fiction.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this SO much more.
I was bored halfway through. Just didn’t push a historical fiction book along the way I wished it did.
There was a serious lack of character development and despite the importance of the two main characters, I didn’t connect with them at all.

While I love Murray’s writing, Marie Benedict is never above a 3.75 star read for me.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is an engrossing historical fiction novel featuring two trailblazing women who come together to bring down a notorious mob boss in the 1930’s. Based on an incredible true story, the novel is told from the alternating points of view of a black assistant district attorney and a Jewish immigrant madam from Russia. The two women are strikingly different, but have both had to overcome obstacles to get to the top of their respective fields. Eunice had to overcome racism and sexism, and Polly had to overcome poverty, antisemitism, and sexism. “All our stories are hard, but in very different ways.”

I love a story that highlights important but overlooked women in history. This story quickly grabbed my attention and was hard to put down. I was caught up in the growing suspense in the back half of the novel as the women’s proximity to danger increases. The authors left enough room for character development and a clear sense of what they were risking to help put away the mob boss. It was refreshing to see the women consistently written as brave and willing to take risks. I just wish my copy came with an author’s note! I highly recommend this entertaining and well written historical fiction novel. I hope that after choosing this for her June book club, Reese Witherspoon will adapt it! 4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this gifted advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest rescue review. All opinions are my own

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Another excellent historical fiction novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray!

Based on real historical figures, this tells the story of an unlikely alliance between Eunice Carter, the first Black female prosecutor in Manhattan, and Polly Adler, a madam of a brothel, who came together to help bring down a notorious Mob boss running, among other things, a prostitution ring in New York in the 1930s.

As with their previous collaborations, the writing was so smooth and seamless and it read as if the novel was penned by a single author, which is impressive as the story unfolded from the alternating perspectives of Eunice and Polly. The setting and period details seemed authentic and clearly based on extensive research. I went down the google rabbit hole while reading this book.

I liked the parallels of the two women’s lives, both fighting to forge their own path in a society controlled by men and with clear roles based on race and gender. Both on opposite sides of the law and from different backgrounds (one from a loving, activist Black family, the other a Russian Jewish immigrant sent by her father to the US when she was twelve to earn money for the family back home), but both imbued with courage and determination. Both women were so interesting to read about.

I was absorbed by this novel throughout. I liked that the story had a mix of the personal lives of Eunice and Polly, the unfolding of how the two worked together to find the evidence for the case, and that it included courtroom scenes.

Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this compelling read by this dynamic writing duo. I will read anything these authors put out!

Thanks to Berkley for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. It is historical fiction at its best. I literally flew through it in one day. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have written a story about two incredible women that you will not forget.

This book tells the story of two women: Eunice Carter and Polly Adler. They could not be from two more different worlds. Eunice is Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor. She is an assistant district attorney for the city of New York. Polly runs one of the city’s high-end brothels. But they share a common goal: to take down notorious crime boss Lucky Luciano.

These women are simply incredible. Their meetings were my favorite parts of this book. Their backgrounds are so different, yet they were able to see each other so clearly. This books explores their family histories, their personal struggles, and what it truly meant to be a woman in a man’s world during this time. I spent a lot of time using Google while reading this book to learn more about them.

This book was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. Watching their story unfold was fascinating and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this phenomenal book. It is out on June 2nd. Preorder it now.

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eunice Carter, the only woman on a special team of prosecutors, and Polly Adler, the most well-known madam in NYC, come together to help bring a notorious mob boss, Lucky Luciano, to justice. And did I mention that Eunice is a black woman and Polly is a Jewish immigrant from Russia? These two women form the unlikeliest of alliances to restore harmony back to 1930’s NYC. The story goes back & forth between the two women, and we also learn of all their struggles in life & in their chosen professions. Polly Adler never set out to be a prostitution madam, but through circumstances out of her control, as well as for her girls, we learn how these women end up in this predicament. I was so totally enraptured by this book. And if I must say, I find the authors of this book a true “Pair of Aces.” I will read anything these two women put out.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Berkley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Benedict is a favorite author of mine. This novel hits two of may favorite genres - historical fiction and women’s fiction. The book is about an unlikely pair of women who work together behind the scenes to indict a criminal. One is an assistant district attorney, and the other is a well-known madam. This happened in 1936 and was interesting to me because the criminal found a hiding place in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I do not want to tip my hand about the Pair of Aces and what happened with the investigation and court case.

Thanks to Net Galley, the authors and the publisher for the advanced ebook for my honest opinion. I recommend this book and am looking forward to its release in June because I really like reading the authors’ notes about their research in writing a historical fiction novel.

[Kaiemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

really strong 4!! i loved both characters and how they worked together when no one would have thought. also loved the whole premise around prostitution and mobs in the 1930s. i felt like the ending dragged a bit which is why it wasn’t quite a 5 star

[Bernadette Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishers, netgalley, Marie Benedict, and Victoria Christopher Murray for allowing me to read this book. I am a fan of Marie Benedict so I was happy to read and review this arc. Historical fiction is a genre that interests me, it allows me to escape into history and learn something new. I love how authors incorporate the title into the story. The authors recognize two individuals who make a difference, hence a pair of aces, an assistant district attorney and a high class madam. These two ladies are a pair who take down a mobster. The beginning of the book was slow but, got better halfway through.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot! I also appreciated, considering the subject matter, they kept this pretty PG. they really could have been more graphic in many ways and they weren’t.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall A Pair of Aces is an interesting and compelling story that centers women, the ways in which women find/make power, even during times in history in which it was uncommon or in occupations in which power is not common. I particularly appreciated the juxtaposition of a white Jewish immigrant becoming a madam pout of necessity and a black female district attorney and their realization and understanding of privilege. The story and the characters are interesting, but it fell a bit flat and slower than expected for both the topic and the authors.

I enjoyed reading the story overall, the strong female characters, as well as the time period, however, I could put it down and forget about what I was reading and it just felt like something was missing. While I enjoyed reading the story, it wasn’t my favorite of these authors. I thank NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite co-labs between Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. I'm always intrigued by mobster movie and books, so this was right up my alley. I've always known about Thomas E. Dewey's role in bringing down Lucky Luciano, but I never knew about who was in the background doing all the work. Eunice Hunton Carter definitely deserved the credit for all of her efforts. If it weren't for her relentless pursuit of the vice ring, Dewey would have continued to chase his own tail trying to bring down the mob.

I enjoyed the author's take on the relationship between Mrs. Carter and Polly Adler. They were the most unlikely pair given their backgrounds, but their common goal led to them working together to get the evidence needed to convict Luciano.

I must say I devoured this book. The writing was everything I expect when Marie and Victoria get together to tell the stories we need to read about. They bring a freshness and experience to what it takes for two authors to come together and write stories that will leave you satisfied.

Of all the books they have written together, this book and The First Ladies are my absolute favorites. I highly recommend both to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and want to learn more about women in history and their contributions to some of the most famous events we've ever heard about.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley and the authors for this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Thank you to the authors, the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

[Michelle Herzing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction that focuses on real people whose accomplishments are not necessarily commonly known, and with A Pair of Aces, Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict have told the stories of two women from very different circumstances who worked together to bring mob boss Lucky Luciano and his henchmen to justice.

I especially enjoyed the alternating points of view between Eunice Carter, Manhattan's first black female prosecutor and assistant DA, and Polly Adler, a high end madam. Their differing motivations and experiences were interesting and brought depth to what could have been simply a courtroom drama. The back stories of Eunice's marriage and Polly's family made the characters empathetic, too.

The story has a ton of drama and suspense, with very little actual time spent on the trial. The behind the scenes preparation for building a case, finding and convincing witnesses to testify, is the majority of the story, emphasizing Polly's contributions to the cause.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC of A Pair of Aces by Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict. The opinions in this review are my own.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Life is one big unpredictable game and we have no control over the the hand we are dealt. However, what we do with our circumstances is in our control; and there is not always a clear black and white, right and wrong.

Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray take us on a journey back to the 1930’s, where the Big Apple was run by crime families and who you are and where you are from means everything. Eunice Carter and Polly Adler may be from two very different worlds but perhaps with teamwork, they could take down a criminal empire…

A Pair of Aces is an absolutely stunning piece of historical fiction that delves deep into the milieu of the era, creating beautiful tension that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are multi-dimensional and portray fights for justice that unfortunately continue almost a century later. Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray once again show up in full-force with a powerful story that resonates.

[Hannah Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pair of Aces tells the story of Eunice Carter, a black ADA, and Polly Adler, a high-class madam who work together to take down the mob in 1930s New York City.

As I've been sharing this book with friends, I have to remind them that this actually happened! Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray do something so few authors do well: they tell the untold stories, particularly of important women in history. Their books are immaculately researched, and A Pair of Aces is no exception.

The storytelling piece was excellent as well. I was fully consumed every time I stepped back into the story, and I couldn't wait to see how it would end.

It's written, "History would probably have a laugh at this, too -- the prosecutor and the madam, the unlikely pair behind the downfall of America's most notorious mobster. If all goes to plan. But my smile fades as I remember that no one can ever know..."

Well, now we do know. And we will never forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[CourtneyRenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok Mrs. DA Eunice Carter! I loved her and how she did not back down when anyone, especially when her competency was called into question on the bases of her race.

Picture it, 1930s New York and mob boss Lucky Luciano (head of the 5 largest crime families) is on trial along with Polly Adler (The Madam) for a prostitution ring. This would make a great movie!

Eunice and Polly team up and start gathering evidence against Luciano due to him wanting to take over Polly's business which puts her girls at risk and in danger.

This book was so good and a wild ride. I loved it. If you like crime thrillers and historical fiction then check this book out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by this dynamic duo. I enjoy their own books and the ones they co- author.

[Susan Marcille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read filled with so many controversial subjects.
The trial and conviction of mob kingpin “Lucky” Luciano was a turning point for the city of New York but more importantly it marked a major milestone for women of color and the professional black woman lawyer who led the charge. It exposed the abuse of women of many backgrounds who were pulled or forced into lives of prostitution. In so many ways it tied into what we are witnessing today with the circumstances surrounding Epstein and his co-conspirators.

Can people of power and prestige hold people of lesser standing prisoner in their own lives? We have seen it again and again. Can the words of female victims be believed over these powerful men who seem so in control? Will we ever get to the point where people of conviction will bear witness to these unfathomable crimes and stand up to say “this is enough”? Can we break the barriers constructed by this wealth, power and privilege to bring the powerful to justice and live in a world where people are equals, based on their desire for fairness and righteous action? Please let it be so. And let it be soon.

This story not only touches on all these issues but on the willingness of two very different women to work together relentlessly to achieve these goals. Very well written book by two historically savvy authors who excel at storytelling in a way that puts you right there, in the heart of the story.

Thank you Penguin Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#apairofaces #NetGalley #readforknowledge #readforpower #readeveryday

[Brea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set against the grit and corruption of 1930s New York, A Pair of Aces delivers a tightly constructed historical narrative centered on two formidable women: Eunice Carter, Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, and Polly Adler, a well-connected madam whose testimony becomes pivotal in building a case against mob boss Lucky Luciano.
The strength of this novel lies in its structure and pacing. Told in dual POV with concise, purposeful chapters, the plot unfolds with steady momentum, balancing courtroom strategy with the personal risks both women face. The writing is polished and immersive, particularly in its depiction of systemic discrimination—racial, religious, and gender-based—without overwhelming the narrative. The authors skillfully highlight how Eunice’s legal precision and Polly’s insider knowledge intersect to dismantle Luciano’s empire when more conventional approaches fail.
While the plot is compelling and the historical framework well-researched, the novel would have benefited from deeper exploration of both women’s formative years. Their resilience is clear, but additional backstory could have strengthened the emotional connection and further enriched their motivations.
Overall, this is a thoughtfully written and engaging work of historical fiction that spotlights two overlooked women who helped shape American legal history. The collaboration between Benedict and Murray once again results in a seamless narrative with strong thematic resonance and a gripping, justice-driven plot.
Thank you to Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Kati Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pair of Aces
My favorite genre is historical fiction and as such this book doesn’t disappoint. A pair of aces refers to two historical women, Eunice Carter and Polly Adler. Eunice Carter was a pioneering American lawyer and civil rights figure. She was one of the first black female prosecutors in the US. As the book describes, she played a key role in investigating and helping to bring down Lucky Luciano, a major mafia boss. While researching her, I found an interesting tidbit, she was the mother of June Carter Cash, who later married Johnny Cash.
The other ace in this pair is Polly Adler a Jewish Russian immigrant, who made it big as a high end New York City madam in the 1930’s. The book is about how these two ladies work together to bring down Lucky Luciano and his organized prostitution ring.
The chapters alternate between each woman’s point of view, it is very well written and thought out, a definite 5 stars for me. Another interesting tidbit I found about Polly, she did write and published a best selling memoir titled A House Is Not a Home in 1953 which was later made into a movie.

[Pam Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of two strong, independent women in a time when there were few opportunities for women, particularly women of colour and Jewish immigrants. A story of two women who worked together to take down the mob in NYC in the 1930s.

The story started slowly for me and I wasn't immediately invested in the characters. As the story developed, however, I felt like maybe that was intentional; perhaps the authors wanted the readers to establish their relationships with the characters as Eunice and Polly's trust in each other grew and Eunice's case against Lucky Luciano was built. I really ended up enjoying the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsea Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A PAIR OF ACES ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Release date 6/23/2026. In 1935, the New York City mob is getting out of control. Even though prohibition is over, the mob is taking their reigns to another level, taking over the prostitution market. When one of the city’s ADAs and Madams team up to take down the leader, attempting to bite the head off the snake. This was a really intriguing book, told by dual POV with short chapters that keeps you turning the page. I really enjoyed The Personal Librarian, but found this pace even better at holding my interest. A really good read! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

[Bookreporter.com Historical Fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A PAIR OF ACES, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray once again turn their keen, incisive eyes to some of history’s most overlooked female figures.

Born amid Russia’s pogroms and forced to blaze her own path in America, Polly “the Jewish Jezebel” Adler knows a thing or two about blending in, reading people and making her own way. Now, as a high-class madam whose famous brothel serves everyone from the Hollywood elite to prestigious businessmen, Polly is facing a new obstacle: the mob. For years, she has run her brothel in a way that champions and protects her girls while still catering to the city’s elite. She has done it all by herself, hiring her own bodyguards and support staff, and avoiding any connections to organized crime.

But in 1935 New York City, connections to the mob have become nearly unavoidable. When notorious crime boss Dutch Schultz invites himself and his violent men into Polly’s home, it seems that her luck has run out. The subject of organized crime in her city has become political, with Special Prosecutor Thomas Dewey and District Attorney William Dodge butting heads to become the one to save New York from its criminal underbelly and secure their own political futures in the process. Both are eager to take down anyone associated with the likes of Schultz or his nemesis, Mad Dog Coll, whose path of destruction has been striking in its brutality.

Operating on the other side of the law is Assistant District Attorney Eunice Carter, Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor. Eunice was born into a world much like Polly’s. Forced to flee her childhood home in the South after a string of violence, Eunice has climbed the ranks through college, law school and now the prosecutor’s office. Though the esteem that comes with being handpicked by Dewey is an elation all its own, Eunice has become dissatisfied lately with her role within the department. Rather than being assigned her own organized crime-related racket to investigate, she has been charged with listening to citizen complaints.

But with this isolated task comes a revelation. Through hundreds and hundreds of calls, Eunice has learned that prostitution is the number-one issue plaguing everyday citizens. Brothels are cropping up on every block, leading to crime and violence. Deciding to investigate the speed and efficiency with which these brothels --- and the sex workers who populate them --- appear, dodge jail time and reappear, Eunice spots a curious pattern of cases where girls have their sentences either reduced or dismissed. Though her superiors are quick to write off prostitution as a “vice case,” Eunice can tell that there is something bigger happening here. If she can connect the upswing in prostitution to that of organized crime, she can earn her place among her white male peers and help bring an end to the bloodshed plaguing her city.

When a series of violent hits leave both Schultz and Coll deceased, Polly and Eunice acknowledge one thing: their deaths will not put an end to the mob’s hold over New York, but rather will create an opening for a new criminal to rise and become boss. That man, they soon learn, is Lucky Luciano. Unlike his showy predecessors, Lucky has accomplished something that no other mobster has been able to pull off before: uniting the crime factions under one governing whole.

Controlling everything from narcotics to theft, and loan sharking to extortion, Lucky has only neglected to conquer one corner of the crime world: prostitution. Polly and Eunice realize quickly that a world controlled by Lucky would be dangerous for them and the people they’ve sworn to protect. But unlike the many police officers, prosecutors and attorneys who have tried to take down the notorious crime boss, they have an edge: an insider’s look into the world of prostitution...and each other.

Though Polly and Eunice occupy very different corners of New York and its judiciary, their backgrounds in academics and refugeeism make them perfect collaborators. Both incredibly gifted intellectually and accustomed to battling tough odds, it is no surprise that they have risen to the top of their sectors. Once they earn each other’s trust, it becomes obvious that they have been underestimated for far too long. Banding together, they vow to take down Lucky once and for all, but with a much more patient, tender and protective air than their male counterparts, who are quick to go in guns blazing and with half-baked plans. Instead, they employ Polly’s network of women and Eunice’s legal precision to embark on one of the greatest investigations ever --- all while they continue to be overlooked and questioned about their legitimacy and competency.

Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray bravely and unflinchingly walk readers through back rooms where dangerous deals are made, lounges where hits are ordered, and the very real violence that comes with organized crime to demonstrate the risks the women are facing, all the while laying the groundwork for their alliance to deepen and grow. The result is one of the country’s most sensational trials ever: the prosecution of Lucky Luciano, the first official boss of the modern Genovese crime family.

Known for their work highlighting history’s ignored women, Benedict and Murray deliver their most gripping and shocking novel yet. More than just setting the groundwork for the characters and storylines they’ve created, they erect entire neighborhoods, laying the cement of the city’s streets, throwing up skyscrapers, and decking them out with decadent plush armchairs, the warm hum of jazz and hazy cigarette smoke. Early on, it is easy to see the comparisons between Polly and Eunice --- both gifted and forced to flee violent settings --- but Benedict and Murray handle these similarities so deftly that the connections feel organically discovered rather than forced.

This sense of discovery helps immerse readers into Polly and Eunice’s alliance as they come to know and respect each other. The result is deeply absorbing, so much so that you practically expect to look up from the book’s pages to see that your home has been transformed into a smoky cocktail lounge, a suited mob boss throwing back whiskey as a lingerie-clad vixen approaches him.

But Benedict and Murray don’t stop there. In demonstrating the elite, gilded world that Polly is allowed to inhabit, they highlight the inequalities that Eunice has faced. Though she is the more educated and “upstanding” of the duo, she is still barred from many important rooms due to her race. Polly, meanwhile, often suffers jabs about her accent and nationality, usually while she is pouring drinks and offering women to the very men who make the cracks. It’s a searing takedown of wealth and corruption, but it's also a ringing endorsement of the women who learned to navigate these male-dominated worlds and carve out positions of power.

The book’s title, a smart nod to poker’s best starting hand, is apt. As Polly and Eunice prove, no matter how stacked the deck, there’s simply no beating a well-matched pair of aces. That description also applies to the dream team that is Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Reviewed by Rebecca Munro

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray have written an exciting and carefully researched account of the collaboration between one of New York City’s most famous madams and an ambitious black female assistant district attorney. Eunice Carter fights for a seat at Thomas Dewey’s prosecution of Lucky Luciano, as well as for her marriage and the safety of her family. Polly Adler, who has worked her way up from a terrible past, became Eunice’s informant, despite the danger to herself, her girls, and her livelihood. Historical fiction at its finest. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.