For decades, the story of how notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano was finally brought to justice has centered on powerful men, organized crime, and the rise of law enforcement in New York City. But a new historical novel is putting a long-overlooked figure back where many historians believe she belongs: at the center of the case.
A Pair of Aces, the latest collaboration from bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, brings readers into 1930s New York through the lives of three real-life figures whose paths collided during one of the city’s most notorious criminal investigations.
Released June 2 by Berkley, the novel focuses on Eunice Carter, Manhattan’s first Black female assistant district attorney, whose groundbreaking legal strategy helped prosecutors build the case that ultimately sent Luciano to prison. While Luciano became one of the most infamous crime bosses in American history, Carter’s role in his downfall has often received far less attention.
Set against the backdrop of Harlem’s cultural renaissance and New York’s turbulent underworld, the novel follows Carter as she pursues justice despite facing racial and gender barriers that limited opportunities for Black women in the legal profession during the era.
The story also introduces readers to Polly Adler, the city’s legendary madam whose high-end brothels attracted celebrities, politicians, and powerful businessmen. Caught between prosecutors and organized crime, Adler becomes a pivotal figure in the investigation that threatens Luciano’s criminal empire.
Drawing from historical records, Benedict and Murray portray how Carter interviewed sex workers, analyzed patterns within prostitution networks, and helped establish the legal framework prosecutors used to connect Luciano to organized vice operations. Her work provided investigators with a new path forward after years of failed attempts to convict the mob leader.
The novel marks another high-profile collaboration for the authors. Murray is known for exploring the lives of Black women navigating complex social and historical realities, while Benedict, a former attorney, brings legal insight to courtroom drama and political intrigue.
Together, they have produced several bestselling works, including The Personal Librarian, a million-copy bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club selection, and The First Ladies, which became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
With its blend of crime, history, and social justice, A Pair of Aces offers readers a fresh perspective on one of New York’s most famous criminal cases while restoring attention to a pioneering prosecutor whose contributions were largely overlooked for generations.
For fans of historical fiction, true crime, and stories of trailblazing women, the novel delivers a compelling reminder that history’s biggest victories are often shaped by people whose names never made the headlines.