Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The prologue drops you right into the aftermath of a brutal massacre. What expectations did this opening set for you as a reader? How does this story compare to other epic crime sagas you might have read or seen, such as Mario Puzo’s The Godfather or Marlon James’s A Brief History of Seven Killings?

2. Winslow weaves real historical events like Operation Condor and the Iran-Contra affair into his fictional narrative. How did you feel about this blend of fact and fiction? Did knowing some of these events were real make the story’s violence and corruption feel more immediate or disturbing?

3. Thinking back on the entire novel, what single character, scene, or idea has stuck with you the most since you finished reading? What do you think gives it such a lasting impact?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Art Keller begins his career as a “true believer” in the War on Drugs, hoping to fight a war worth fighting. Think about a time you felt a strong sense of idealism about a cause or a job. Did your feelings change as you encountered unexpected complexities or setbacks while working in that role?

2. Nora Hayden learns to turn her perceived vulnerability into a source of power and control. Have you ever found strength from a trait that others might traditionally see as a disadvantage? How did you use that trait to your advantage?

3. Sean Callan desperately tries to build a new life with Siobhan but finds he can’t escape his violent past. Do you think it is possible to fully break away from the past? Have you ever tried to effect this distance? How did you succeed?

4. A catastrophic earthquake completely shakes Father Parada’s faith, leading him to find purpose in more pragmatic, hands-on action. Have you ever experienced a moment that fundamentally shifted your core beliefs or the way you choose to live them out?

5. Many characters operate by a personal code, such as Art’s “YOYO” philosophy. What personal rules or philosophies do you find guide your own decisions, especially when you’re under pressure?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel strongly argues that the American War on Drugs has been a corrupt and futile enterprise. After reading this fictionalized account, how has your perspective on real-world drug policy and its consequences been challenged or reinforced?

2. Tío Barrera’s key insight is that the border itself is the most valuable commodity in the drug trade. How does this idea challenge common narratives about the US-Mexico border, particularly in today’s political climate?

3. Operation Cerberus shows a government agency secretly working with drug traffickers to achieve its geopolitical goals. What does the novel suggest about the long-term dangers when a nation’s covert actions directly contradict its public values and laws?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Let’s talk about the recurring phrase “the power of the dog.” What do you think this motif represents, and how does its meaning evolve from the opening scene to Art’s final, desperate act in the fountain?

2. Why do you think Winslow chose to open with the 1997 El Sauzal massacre before jumping back in time to 1975? How did having that piece of the ending first shape your experience of Art’s 30-year journey and his descent into vengeance?

3. The narrative is filled with religious symbols, from the narco-saint Jesús Malverde to the martyrdom of Father Parada. How does Winslow use this iconography to explore the moral landscape of a world saturated with violence?

4. Consider the parallel journeys of Art Keller and Adán Barrera. In what ways do these two adversaries begin to mirror each other as their decades-long conflict unfolds?

5. The Power of the Dog is the first book in Winslow’s acclaimed Cartel trilogy. For those who have read the other books, how does this novel set the stage for what’s to come? For those who haven’t, what unresolved questions did the epilogue leave you wanting to explore?

6. The story follows a huge cast of characters across multiple decades and locations. Which character’s storyline did you find most compelling, and why? How did Winslow manage to weave these disparate threads into a cohesive narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were adapting The Power of the Dog for a television series, which of the parallel storylines would you focus on in the first season? What scene do you think would be the most powerful or challenging to bring to the screen?

2. Imagine you get to write one final scene for Nora and Sean, years after the events of the epilogue. Where have they ended up, and what does their life look like? Have they found a measure of peace, or are they still looking over their shoulders?

3. Art ends the novel tending a small garden of poppies as a form of penance. If you could give him one piece of advice or ask him one final question, what would it be?