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About the A Pair of Aces Discussion category
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1
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35
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August 18, 2026
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Eunice Hunton Carter and Polly Adler were well-known figures in 1930s New York. Were you familiar with either of them before reading A Pair of Aces?
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34
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605
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August 18, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of A Pair of Aces? (No spoilers in this topic, please!)
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27
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295
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August 18, 2026
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This is the third historical fiction novel Benedict and Murray have written together. Each has also written several novels on her own. Have you read any of their other works, and if so, how do they compare?
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22
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263
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August 18, 2026
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How did you view Eunice’s relationship with her husband? Why do you think there was so much tension in their marriage?
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21
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276
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August 18, 2026
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Lucky Luciano was the most notorious mobster of his time. Had you heard of him before reading the book? Lucky, Eunice, & Polly were all prominent figures in the 1930s. Who do you think is the best known of the three today? Why do you think that is?
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21
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158
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August 18, 2026
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Did anything surprise you about the trial of Lucky Luciano? Why do you think Dewey didn’t want to prosecute Luciano for running a prostitution ring? Do you think this perspective would still be in evidence today?
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18
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118
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August 18, 2026
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How did you feel about Eunice’s working relationship with Thomas Dewey? What did you think of his decisions throughout the book? Do you think his view of Eunice changed by the end? Do you think Eunice would face the same sorts of issues today?
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16
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97
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August 18, 2026
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How would you describe Polly’s relationship with her parents? Was her relationship different with her mother than with her father, and if so, how? Why did she feel more animosity toward her father, and do you feel that was justified?
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12
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83
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August 18, 2026
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Eunice and Polly both faced a lot of challenges in their lives. How were their struggles similar, and how were they different?
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12
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98
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August 18, 2026
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Polly had a complicated relationship with the women, like Virginia, who worked for her. How did her relationship with these women influence Polly’s decision to work with Eunice? Do you think the women like Virginia felt like they were family to Polly?
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12
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62
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August 18, 2026
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At one point in the book, Eunice and Polly discuss whether race or class shaped their hardships more profoundly. Did you better understand each woman’s perspective after this conversation? Did it shift your own view of race and class?
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11
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76
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August 18, 2026
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How did you feel about Eunice’s relationship with her mother? In what way did her mother’s accomplishments influence Eunice’s life choices? Did she inspire her? Or did Eunice feel more pressure to succeed because of her mother’s achievements?
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11
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82
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August 18, 2026
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What did you think of Polly’s relationship with the Lion? Why do you think the two women were so close?
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11
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88
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August 18, 2026
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As an assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, Eunice Hunton Carter achieved incredible success. What personality traits led her to achieve this success?
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10
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54
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August 18, 2026
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Both Eunice and Polly had to sacrifice a lot to achieve their positions. What trade-offs did they have to make? Do you think it was worth it? What would you have done in each of their positions?
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10
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77
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August 18, 2026
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Eunice and Polly formed an alliance to achieve a common goal even though they were on opposite sides of the law. What characteristics helped them to set aside their differences and work together?
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9
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68
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August 18, 2026
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Do you think Eunice and Polly influenced each other’s lives? Do you think they learned anything from one another? How did their relationship change over the course of the book? What factors led to this transformation?
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7
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54
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August 18, 2026
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Eunice & Polly formed an unlikely alliance to take down Lucky. What qualities are required to make these kinds of alliances successful? Can you think of other situations where women from different backgrounds came together to achieve a common goal?
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6
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44
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August 18, 2026
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Polly Adler became the most infamous madam of her time. What circumstances led her to that position? What qualities led her to thrive in that role? How does her profession reflect the limits imposed on immigrant women in the early twentieth century?
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5
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47
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August 18, 2026
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What lessons can we derive from Eunice and Polly’s relationship, and how can we apply them today? Have you ever formed this type of strategic partnership in your life? Can you envision a reason or issue that might inspire you to do so?
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4
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32
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August 18, 2026
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