Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Ongoing cleanup. Cutting, as there's no mention of an explicit oath.
Deleted line(s) 33 (click to see context) :
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapia and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Three Amigos is a disambiguation
Deleted line(s) 141 (click to see context) :
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapia, the three are Sinaloans who grew up together. [[spoiler: Barrera eventually favors Esparza by marrying his daughter and selling out Diego to save his nephew.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 4,5 (click to see context) from:
The Cartel is the 2015 novel and direct sequel to The Power of The Dog. About a decade after the first novel: Arthur 'Art' Keller has retired from the DEA and Adan Barrera is in a US prison. Barrera using his connections and brainpower escapes custody. This brings the retired Keller back into the fight.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 111 (click to see context) from:
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas. [[spoiler: Pablo is the only one to be killed.]]
to:
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea Barrera at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas. [[spoiler: Pablo is the only one to be killed.]]
Added DiffLines:
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Some, if not all, of the drug lords in the story have real life counterparts.
**Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo and his story is loosely based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejo_Garza_Tamez Alejo Garza Tamez]]
**Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo and his story is loosely based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejo_Garza_Tamez Alejo Garza Tamez]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Dewicked trope
Deleted line(s) 107 (click to see context) :
* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray, the assassin who attempts to kill Adan in prison.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Dewicked trope
Deleted line(s) 12 (click to see context) :
* AdultFear: Living in constant fear of your kids becoming a part of the drug trade. Or scarier, your family becoming collateral to the drug trade.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 66 (click to see context) from:
* DirtyCop: A significant portion of the Mexican police are, notably [[Gerardo Vera.]] As well as La Linea, a group of cops paid off by the Juarez cartel to act as enforcement.
to:
* DirtyCop: A significant portion of the Mexican police are, notably [[Gerardo [[spoiler: Gerardo Vera.]] As well as La Linea, a group of cops paid off by the Juarez cartel to act as enforcement.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries. But more often than not, it costs more than it's worth. [[Spoiler: Once he goes with the FES and becomes amoral, he gets results quicker.]]
to:
* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries. But more often than not, it costs more than it's worth. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Once he goes with the FES and becomes amoral, he gets results quicker.]]
Changed line(s) 136 (click to see context) from:
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe using a piece of broken glass.]]* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far on the cynical side as the novel ends with far more destruction down than good.
to:
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe using a piece of broken glass.]]* ]]
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far on the cynical side as the novel ends with far more destruction down than good.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far on the cynical side as the novel ends with far more destruction down than good.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 123 (click to see context) from:
* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'", [[Spoiler: Art to Adan before shooting him.]]
to:
* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'", [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Art to Adan before shooting him.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* AllForNothing: A lot of things done in the novel pan out to be this. [[Spoiler: Corruption and the drug trade survive Barrera's reign. Chuy is broken. Eddie still goes to jail. Pablo's exposure of the cartel leads to his murder.]]
to:
* AllForNothing: A lot of things done in the novel pan out to be this. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Corruption and the drug trade survive Barrera's reign. Chuy is broken. Eddie still goes to jail. Pablo's exposure of the cartel leads to his murder.]]
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novel's dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end. [[Spoiler: The list includes, Barrera, Magda, Diego Tapia, Pablo, Nacho, Jinema and Giogrio.]]
to:
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novel's dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: The list includes, Barrera, Magda, Diego Tapia, Pablo, Nacho, Jinema and Giogrio.]]
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning when he is the 'good cop' to Vera's bad cop. He believes in the law above all, even calling Keller out on his shit. [[Spoiler: While Keller is skeptical of both of them, ulitamtely, Aguliar wins him over. But when Aguliar plays dirty, it gets him killed.]]
to:
* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning when he is the 'good cop' to Vera's bad cop. He believes in the law above all, even calling Keller out on his shit. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: While Keller is skeptical of both of them, ulitamtely, Aguliar wins him over. But when Aguliar plays dirty, it gets him killed.]]
Changed line(s) 112,113 (click to see context) from:
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera. He constantly betrays and murders others for his own gain. Just ask [[Spoiler: Diego]]
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas. [[Spoiler: Pablo is the only one to be killed.]]
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas. [[Spoiler: Pablo is the only one to be killed.]]
to:
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera. He constantly betrays and murders others for his own gain. Just ask [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Diego]]
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas.[[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Pablo is the only one to be killed.]]
* MarkedToDie: Keller is marked by Barrea at the start of the novel with a 2 million dollar bounty. Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets due to their actions against the Zetas.
Changed line(s) 138 (click to see context) from:
* TheEveryman: Pablo Maro, a reporter for a Juarez paper who has no affliation with the cartel or police. [[Spoiler: He takes credit for writing a blog about the Zetas, however.]]
to:
* TheEveryman: Pablo Maro, a reporter for a Juarez paper who has no affliation with the cartel or police. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: He takes credit for writing a blog about the Zetas, however.]]
Changed line(s) 140 (click to see context) from:
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapia, the three are Sinaloans who grew up together. [[Spoiler: Barrera eventually favors Esparza by marrying his daughter and selling out Diego to save his nephew.]]
to:
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapia, the three are Sinaloans who grew up together. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Barrera eventually favors Esparza by marrying his daughter and selling out Diego to save his nephew.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 1,4 (click to see context) :
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
Changed line(s) 15,18 (click to see context) from:
%%* ActionDuo: Gerardo Vera and Luis Aguilar, Vera even tells the media to call them Batman and Robin.
%%* ActionHero: Art Keller
%%* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
%%* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
%%* ActionHero: Art Keller
%%* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
%%* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
to:
%%* ActionHero: Art Keller
%%* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
%%* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
%%* AffablyEvil: Adan Barrera is friendly but he is also evil.
to:
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
%%* AllForNothing: A lot of things done in the novel pan out to be this.
to:
Changed line(s) 25,26 (click to see context) from:
%%* AmoralAttorney: Ben 'Minimum Ben' Tompkins.
%%* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
%%* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
to:
%%* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
Changed line(s) 28,32 (click to see context) from:
%%* AntiHero: Art Keller. He may be on the right side of the law but he is not above playing dirty to get Barrera.
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novels dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end.
%%* AnythingThatMoves: The cartels are made up of a lot of players.
%%* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
%%* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novels dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end.
%%* AnythingThatMoves: The cartels are made up of a lot of players.
%%* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
%%* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
to:
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the
%%* AnythingThatMoves:
%%* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
%%*
* BadassArmy: Los
Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
* BadgesAndDogTags: Keller was in the CIA before he was DEA. Numerous members of the Mexican police forces were in the military before.
to:
* BadgesAndDogTags: Keller was in the CIA before he was DEA. Numerous members of the Mexican police forces were in the military before. The Zetas started out as veterans of the special forces.
Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
%%* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries his best but he goes through a lot before he gets results.
to:
Changed line(s) 38,42 (click to see context) from:
* BestFriendsInLaw: Adan Barrera's mentor Nacho Esparza becomes Adan's father in law when he marries his youngest daughter Eva.
%%* BerserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
* BetterTheDevilYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
%%* BigBad: Adan Barrera.
%%* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapia of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
%%* BerserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
* BetterTheDevilYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
%%* BigBad: Adan Barrera.
%%* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapia of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
to:
* BestFriendsInLaw: Adan Barrera's mentor and close friend, Nacho Esparza becomes Adan's father in law when he marries his youngest daughter Eva.
%%* * BerserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.Barrera, the man who helped kill his partner and exeucted numerous civilians.
* BetterTheDevilYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera overLos the Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
%%* * BigBad: Adan Barrera.
%%* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego TapiaBarrera, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.Cartel.
* BetterTheDevilYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over
%%* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapia
Deleted line(s) 46 (click to see context) :
%%* BloodKnight: Forty.
Deleted line(s) 49 (click to see context) :
%%* BoobyTrap: Some of Adan's safe houses are traps to kill Keller.
Deleted line(s) 53 (click to see context) :
%%* BreakThemByTalking: Keller's specialty.
Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
%%* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning.
to:
Changed line(s) 62,67 (click to see context) from:
%%* ColdBloodedTorture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
%%* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
%%* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
%%* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
%%* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
%%* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
%%* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
%%* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
%%* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
%%* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
%%* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
to:
%%* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
Changed line(s) 69,71 (click to see context) from:
%%* CrusadingLawyer: Luis Aguliar who works as a prosecutor.
%%* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
%%* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
%%* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
%%* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
to:
%%*
* DaEditor: Oscar
Changed line(s) 74 (click to see context) from:
%%* DepravedHomosexual: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa.
to:
Changed line(s) 78,81 (click to see context) from:
%%* DetectiveMole: [[spoiler: Gerardo Vera.]]
%%* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER.
%%* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
%%* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
%%* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER.
%%* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
%%* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
to:
%%*
%%*
* DirtyCop:
Changed line(s) 83 (click to see context) from:
* DisappointedInYou: Adan gives this speech when Sal kills two innocent people.
to:
* DisappointedInYou: Adan gives this speech when Sal Salvador kills two innocent people.
Changed line(s) 87 (click to see context) from:
%%* EliteArmy: FES and Los Zetas.
to:
Changed line(s) 90,91 (click to see context) from:
%%* EnfantTerrible: Chuy.
%%* EntitledBastard: Sal.
%%* EntitledBastard: Sal.
to:
%%*
* EntitledBastard:
Changed line(s) 94 (click to see context) from:
%%* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The Tapia brothers do all love each other. Adan loves his nephew. Nacho loves Eva.
to:
Deleted line(s) 97,98 (click to see context) :
%%* EverybodyMustGetStoned: Most parties play out like this.
%%* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
%%* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
Changed line(s) 105 (click to see context) from:
%%* GoldDigger: Averted, Madga has her own money and power.
to:
Changed line(s) 107,111 (click to see context) from:
%%* GoodIsNotNice: Don't fuck with Art Keller.
%%* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
%%* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
* GrenadeLauncher: The cartels have a few to use. Chuy uses one [[spoiler: to accidentally shoot out Art's helicopter.]]
%%* HairTriggerTemper: A lot of members of the cartel have it. The biggest offender is probably Sal Barrera.
%%* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
%%* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
* GrenadeLauncher: The cartels have a few to use. Chuy uses one [[spoiler: to accidentally shoot out Art's helicopter.]]
%%* HairTriggerTemper: A lot of members of the cartel have it. The biggest offender is probably Sal Barrera.
to:
%%* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
%%* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
Changed line(s) 114 (click to see context) from:
%%* HighSchoolHustler: Eddie Ruiz was one.
to:
Changed line(s) 116,117 (click to see context) from:
%%* IHaveAFamily: People try to use this, it never works.
%%* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
%%* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
to:
%%*
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went
Changed line(s) 121,122 (click to see context) from:
%%* IShallTauntYou: Adan does this to Keller [[spoiler: after he cuts a deal.]]
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Keller ejects a dealer who sold guys to Los Zetas with pure cocaine.
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Keller ejects a dealer who sold guys to Los Zetas with pure cocaine.
to:
Changed line(s) 124,125 (click to see context) from:
%%* {{Jerkass}}: Too many to count with characters as scummy as petty murders, psychopaths, and corrupt cops.
%%* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
%%* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
to:
%%*
Changed line(s) 128 (click to see context) from:
%%* KilledOffScreen: [[spoiler: Pablo and Erika]]
to:
Changed line(s) 130,140 (click to see context) from:
%%* KillThePoor: How some people view the War on Drugs.
%%* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
%%* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
%%* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
%%* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
%%* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
%%* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
%%* LatinLand: Mexico.
%%* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
%%* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
%%* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
%%* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
%%* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
%%* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
%%* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
%%* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
%%* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
%%* LatinLand: Mexico.
%%* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
%%* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
%%* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
to:
%%*
%%* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
%%* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
%%* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
%%* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of
%%* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as
%%* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
%%*
* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan. Shes the one who told him to [[spoiler: crash the plane Luis Aguilar was in.]]
* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras is a large man who becomes to head of the Gulf Cartel. But many view him as a figure head than a legitimate leader.
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan
%%*
* MarkedToDie:
Deleted line(s) 142 (click to see context) :
%%* NewOldWest
Changed line(s) 144,145 (click to see context) from:
%%* NobleSavage: Crazy Eddie Ruiz.
%%* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
%%* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
to:
%%*
Changed line(s) 148,149 (click to see context) from:
%%* OffWithHerHead: A lot of people lose their heads.
%%* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
%%* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
to:
%%*
Changed line(s) 151,152 (click to see context) from:
%%* PoliceBrutality: They are extremely violent as well.
* PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is [[spoiler: kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
* PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is [[spoiler: kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
to:
Changed line(s) 154 (click to see context) from:
%%* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'".
to:
Deleted line(s) 156 (click to see context) :
%%* PyrrhicVictory: Marisol, Keller, and Chuy are devastated by the end.
Changed line(s) 159,163 (click to see context) from:
%%* RealityIsUnrealistic: A lot of violence is the novel seems over the top. But Winslow's research proves this is far from fiction.
%%* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
%%* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is dirty.]]
%%* RecruitingTheCriminal: Keller asks Eddie Ruiz if he wants to go on the final raid against Los Zetas. He accepts.
%%* RedShirtArmy: Most soldiers are not given names.
%%* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
%%* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is dirty.]]
%%* RecruitingTheCriminal: Keller asks Eddie Ruiz if he wants to go on the final raid against Los Zetas. He accepts.
%%* RedShirtArmy: Most soldiers are not given names.
to:
%%* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
%%*
* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is
Changed line(s) 168,178 (click to see context) from:
%%** Arguably Keller throughout the novel against Barrera.
%%* RogueAgent: How people view Keller.
%%* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
%%* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
%%* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe.]]
%%* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far to the cynical side.
%%* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
%%* SouthOfTheBorder
%%* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
%%* SWATTeam: constantly used.
%%* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
%%* RogueAgent: How people view Keller.
%%* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
%%* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
%%* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe.]]
%%* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far to the cynical side.
%%* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
%%* SouthOfTheBorder
%%* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
%%* SWATTeam: constantly used.
%%* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
to:
%%*
* RogueAgent: How
%%* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
%%* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
%%*
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills
%%*
%%* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
%%* SouthOfTheBorder
%%* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
%%* SWATTeam: constantly used.
%%* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
Changed line(s) 180,181 (click to see context) from:
%%* TheEveryman: Pablo Maro.
%%* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
%%* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
to:
%%* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone
Changed line(s) 183,185 (click to see context) from:
%%* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapias.
%%* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
%%* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
%%* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
%%* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
to:
%%*
* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic
%%* ToughLove: Keller tries
Changed line(s) 187 (click to see context) from:
%%* UnstoppableRage: Keller's feeling for Barrera.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 13 (click to see context) from:
--
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
Changed line(s) 10,14 (click to see context) from:
!!! Tropes associated with the novel.
* ActionDuo: Gerardo Vera and Luis Aguilar, Vera even tells the media to call them Batman and Robin.
* ActionHero: Art Keller
* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
* ActionDuo: Gerardo Vera and Luis Aguilar, Vera even tells the media to call them Batman and Robin.
* ActionHero: Art Keller
* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
to:
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* AffablyEvil: Adan Barrera is friendly but he is also evil.
to:
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* AllForNothing: A lot of things done in the novel pan out to be this.
to:
Changed line(s) 21,22 (click to see context) from:
* AmoralAttorney: Ben 'Minimum Ben' Tompkins.
* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
to:
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
* AntiHero: Art Keller. He may be on the right side of the law but he is not above playing dirty to get Barrera.
to:
Changed line(s) 26,28 (click to see context) from:
* AnythingThatMoves: The cartels are made up of a lot of players.
* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
to:
Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries his best but he goes through a lot before he gets results.
to:
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
* BerserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
to:
Changed line(s) 37,38 (click to see context) from:
* BigBad: Adan Barrera.
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapia of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapia of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
to:
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* BloodKnight: Forty.
to:
Changed line(s) 45 (click to see context) from:
* BoobyTrap: Some of Adan's safe houses are traps to kill Keller.
to:
Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
* BreakThemByTalking: Keller's specialty.
to:
Changed line(s) 52 (click to see context) from:
* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning.
to:
Changed line(s) 58,63 (click to see context) from:
* ColdBloodedTorture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
to:
Changed line(s) 65,67 (click to see context) from:
* CrusadingLawyer: Luis Aguliar who works as a prosecutor.
* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
to:
Changed line(s) 70 (click to see context) from:
* DepravedHomosexual: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa.
to:
Changed line(s) 74,77 (click to see context) from:
* DetectiveMole: [[spoiler: Gerardo Vera.]]
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER.
* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER.
* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
to:
Changed line(s) 83 (click to see context) from:
* EliteArmy: FES and Los Zetas.
to:
Changed line(s) 86,87 (click to see context) from:
* EnfantTerrible: Chuy.
* EntitledBastard: Sal.
* EntitledBastard: Sal.
to:
Changed line(s) 90 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The Tapia brothers do all love each other. Adan loves his nephew. Nacho loves Eva.
to:
Changed line(s) 93,94 (click to see context) from:
* EverybodyMustGetStoned: Most parties play out like this.
* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
to:
Changed line(s) 101 (click to see context) from:
* GoldDigger: Averted, Madga has her own money and power.
to:
Changed line(s) 103,105 (click to see context) from:
* GoodIsNotNice: Don't fuck with Art Keller.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
to:
Changed line(s) 107 (click to see context) from:
* HairTriggerTemper: A lot of members of the cartel have it. The biggest offender is probably Sal Barrera.
to:
Changed line(s) 110 (click to see context) from:
* HighSchoolHustler: Eddie Ruiz was one.
to:
Changed line(s) 112,113 (click to see context) from:
* IHaveAFamily: People try to use this, it never works.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
to:
Changed line(s) 117 (click to see context) from:
* IShallTauntYou: Adan does this to Keller [[spoiler: after he cuts a deal.]]
to:
Changed line(s) 120,121 (click to see context) from:
* {{Jerkass}}: Too many to count with characters as scummy as petty murders, psychopaths, and corrupt cops.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
to:
Changed line(s) 124 (click to see context) from:
* KilledOffScreen: [[spoiler: Pablo and Erika]]
to:
Changed line(s) 126,136 (click to see context) from:
* KillThePoor: How some people view the War on Drugs.
* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
* LatinLand: Mexico.
* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
* LatinLand: Mexico.
* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
to:
Changed line(s) 138 (click to see context) from:
* NewOldWest
to:
Changed line(s) 140,141 (click to see context) from:
* NobleSavage: Crazy Eddie Ruiz.
* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
to:
Changed line(s) 144,145 (click to see context) from:
* OffWithHerHead: A lot of people lose their heads.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
to:
Changed line(s) 147,148 (click to see context) from:
* PoliceBrutality: They are extremely violent as well.
* [[spoiler: PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
* [[spoiler: PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
to:
*
Changed line(s) 150 (click to see context) from:
* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'".
to:
Changed line(s) 152 (click to see context) from:
* PyrrhicVictory: Marisol, Keller, and Chuy are devastated by the end.
to:
Changed line(s) 155,159 (click to see context) from:
* RealityIsUnrealistic: A lot of violence is the novel seems over the top. But Winslow's research proves this is far from fiction.
* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is dirty.]]
* RecruitingTheCriminal: Keller asks Eddie Ruiz if he wants to go on the final raid against Los Zetas. He accepts.
* RedShirtArmy: Most soldiers are not given names.
* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is dirty.]]
* RecruitingTheCriminal: Keller asks Eddie Ruiz if he wants to go on the final raid against Los Zetas. He accepts.
* RedShirtArmy: Most soldiers are not given names.
to:
Changed line(s) 164,174 (click to see context) from:
** Arguably Keller throughout the novel against Barrera.
* RogueAgent: How people view Keller.
* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe.]]
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far to the cynical side.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
* SouthOfTheBorder
* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
* SWATTeam: constantly used.
* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
* RogueAgent: How people view Keller.
* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe.]]
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far to the cynical side.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
* SouthOfTheBorder
* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
* SWATTeam: constantly used.
* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
to:
Changed line(s) 176,177 (click to see context) from:
* TheEveryman: Pablo Maro.
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
to:
Changed line(s) 179,181 (click to see context) from:
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapias.
* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
to:
Changed line(s) 183 (click to see context) from:
* UnstoppableRage: Keller's feeling for Barrera.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Not So Different has been renamed, and it needs to be dewicked/moved
Deleted line(s) 142 (click to see context) :
* NotSoDifferent: Adan Barrera and Art Keller.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
** When Taylor and Keller bring Los Zetas to the heads of Washington, they don't care until after Keller set up a sting showing Los Zetas is selling guns to Islamic Extremist. [[spoiler: They still don't do anything, officially.]]
Deleted line(s) 155 (click to see context) :
* RealityEnsues: When Taylor and Keller bring Los Zetas to the heads of Washington, they don't care until after Keller set up a sting showing Los Zetas is selling guns to Islamic Extremist. [[spoiler: They still don't do anything, officially.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Jail Bait is now a disambiguation. Deleting/replacing wicks as appropriate. Moved to discussion
Deleted line(s) 119 (click to see context) :
* JailBait: Eva is groomed to be Adan's bride when she's 17.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
zero context example
Deleted line(s) 30 (click to see context) :
* BadDreams: Chuy suffers them often during and after his time with Los Zetas. Keller as well.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* AntagonistTitle: The Cartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
to:
* AntagonistTitle: The Cartel TheCartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
Changed line(s) 39,40 (click to see context) from:
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapias of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
to:
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapias Tapia of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a40-year 30-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
to:
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias Tapia and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* BriefcaseFullOfMoney: Yvette Tapias' way of transporting money.
to:
* BriefcaseFullOfMoney: Yvette Tapias' Tapia's way of transporting money.
Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
* ChekhovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
to:
* ChekhovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his His death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
Changed line(s) 71 (click to see context) from:
* DepravedHomosexual: [[spoiler: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa]]
to:
* DepravedHomosexual: [[spoiler: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa]]Ochoa.
Changed line(s) 98 (click to see context) from:
* FingerGun: Pablo gets this when threatened to say that the Sinolan cartel murdered 15 party goers.
to:
* FingerGun: Pablo gets this when threatened to say that the Sinolan Sinaloan cartel murdered 15 party goers.
Changed line(s) 110 (click to see context) from:
* HallwayFight: The raid on Diego Tapias has a shootout in the middle of the hallway.
to:
* HallwayFight: The raid on Diego Tapias Tapia has a shootout in the middle of the hallway.
Changed line(s) 151 (click to see context) from:
* PrivateMilitaryContractors: [[spoiler: a group approach Keller to help them kill the Los Zetas leadership unofficially for Washington]].
to:
* PrivateMilitaryContractors: [[spoiler: a A group approach Keller to help them kill the Los Zetas leadership unofficially for Washington]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 4,5 (click to see context) from:
The Cartel is the 2015 novel and direct sequel to The Power of The Dog. About a decade after the first novel: Arturo 'Art' Keller has retired from the DEA and Adan Barrera is in a US prison. Barrera using his connections and brainpower escapes custody. This brings the retired Keller back into the fight.
to:
The Cartel is the 2015 novel and direct sequel to The Power of The Dog. About a decade after the first novel: Arturo Arthur 'Art' Keller has retired from the DEA and Adan Barrera is in a US prison. Barrera using his connections and brainpower escapes custody. This brings the retired Keller back into the fight.
Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
---
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 180,181 (click to see context) from:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunt: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
* TheMafia: The Italian mafia in Europe moves the Gulf Cartel's cocaine.
* TheMafia: The Italian mafia in Europe moves the Gulf Cartel's cocaine.
to:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunt: TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
* TheMafia: The Italian mafia in Europe moves the Gulf Cartel's cocaine.
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapias.
* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
* TrackingDevice: [[spoiler: Eddie Ruiz gives Diego boots which have one in them. This leads to the raid that kills him.]]
* UnstoppableRage: Keller's feeling for Barrera.
* ViolenceIsDisturbing: None of the violence is shown in a glamorous matter. It is bloody and gruesome.
* TheMafia: The Italian mafia in Europe moves the Gulf Cartel's cocaine.
* ThreeAmigos: Adan Barrera, Nacho Esparza, and Diego Tapias.
* TookALevelInCynic: Keller is far from his idealistic youth.
* ToughLove: Keller tries to enact this sometimes, it doesn't usually work.
* TrackingDevice: [[spoiler: Eddie Ruiz gives Diego boots which have one in them. This leads to the raid that kills him.]]
* UnstoppableRage: Keller's feeling for Barrera.
* ViolenceIsDisturbing: None of the violence is shown in a glamorous matter. It is bloody and gruesome.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 40 (click to see context) from:
* BittersweetEnding: [[Spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
to:
* BittersweetEnding: [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[Spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
to:
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: After the death of his brother Alberto, Diego starts doing drugs and goes crazy.
Changed line(s) 156 (click to see context) from:
*
to:
* RealityIsUnrealistic: A lot of violence is the novel seems over the top. But Winslow's research proves this is far from fiction.
* ReallyGetsAround: Eddie Ruiz.
* RecognizableBySound: How Keller discovers [[spoiler: Vera is dirty.]]
* RecruitingTheCriminal: Keller asks Eddie Ruiz if he wants to go on the final raid against Los Zetas. He accepts.
* RedShirtArmy: Most soldiers are not given names.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge:
** Eddie Ruiz kills Zetas after they burned his best friend alive.
** Chuy kills Zetas after they rape and murder his woman.
** FES was formed to kill cartel members, the troops all had revenge as a motive.
** Arguably Keller throughout the novel against Barrera.
* RogueAgent: How people view Keller.
* {{Sadist}}: Forty and Ochoa.
* ShoutOut: Numerous to Star Wars and the Godfather.
* SlashedThroat: [[spoiler: How Chuy kills Gabe.]]
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Far to the cynical side.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Aguliar.
* SouthOfTheBorder
* SteelEarDrums: Averted, gunfire in close quarters leads to ears hurting.
* SWATTeam: constantly used.
* TearsOfFear: Most tears are from this.
* TeensAreMonsters: Chuy and Gabe become murderers for Los Zetas. At the end of the novel, Chuy is about 18.
* TheEveryman: Pablo Maro.
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunt: Anyone who fights Adan Barrera or Los Zetas often become this.
* TheMafia: The Italian mafia in Europe moves the Gulf Cartel's cocaine.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
[[caption-width-right:300:"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it.]]
to:
[[caption-width-right:300:"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it.]]
"]]
* AllForNothing: A lot of things done in the novel pan out to be this.
* AmoralAttorney: Ben 'Minimum Ben' Tompkins.
Changed line(s) 46 (click to see context) from:
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.]]
to:
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.]]
Changed line(s) 54 (click to see context) from:
* ChekovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
to:
* ChekovsGunman: ChekhovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
Changed line(s) 57 (click to see context) from:
* ColdBlooded Torture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
to:
* ColdBlooded Torture: ColdBloodedTorture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
Changed line(s) 71 (click to see context) from:
* DespairEventHerizon: After Marisol is almost killed, Art snaps back into action.
to:
* DespairEventHerizon: DespairEventHorizon: After Marisol is almost killed, Art snaps back into action.
Changed line(s) 74 (click to see context) from:
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER
to:
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLERART-FREAKING-KELLER.
* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
* DidYouActuallyBelieve: [[spoiler: Art would just let Adan go?]]
Added DiffLines:
* DisappointedInYou: Adan gives this speech when Sal kills two innocent people.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Los Zetas are a fan of this.
* DisposableSexWorker: Los Zetas see prostitutes as this. When they kill Flor, Chuy's woman. He [[NoKillLikeOverkill disagrees...]]
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Keller, Marisol, Eddie and Chuy have gone through a lot of shit to say they got a happy ending.
* EliteArmy: FES and Los Zetas.
* EnemyCivilWar: Could be called Enemy Civil War the novel. From Tapias Vs. Barreras, Gulf Cartel vs Los Zetas, to Juarez vs Sinaloa etc.
* EnemyMine: Ochoa tries to pull this on Keller with Barrera. [[spoiler: Adan then tries this on Keller against the Zetas]]. Neither works out.
* EnfantTerrible: Chuy.
* EntitledBastard: Sal.
* EscalatingWar: The Juarez Cartel vs Sinaloa Cartel. It turns Juarez into a war-zone.
* EtTuBrute: Adan betrays lifelong friend Diego to save his nephew.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The Tapia brothers do all love each other. Adan loves his nephew. Nacho loves Eva.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Eddie Ruiz may be a murderer and a drug dealer but never women or children.
* EveryoneHasStandards: Everyone is appalled when Los Zetas murders an innocent family.
* EverybodyMustGetStoned: Most parties play out like this.
* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
* EvilIsCool: Played with. The cartels are shown to throw great parties and have a lot of respect. But there is so much violence that occurs makes it BeingEvilSucks.
* EvilIsPetty: A trade of insults almost leads to a shootout before an important meeting even takes place.
* FingerGun: Pablo gets this when threatened to say that the Sinolan cartel murdered 15 party goers.
* FromBadToWorse: The whole novels goes from a simple manhunt to a deep investigation of corruption into a war story.
* GladToBeAliveSex: Marisol and Art have this once she's recovered from her shooting.
* GlassWeapon: Chuy breaks a bottle and slices his best friend Gabe's neck to flee Los Zetas.
* GoldDigger: Averted, Madga has her own money and power.
* GoodCopBadCop: Aguliar will always play the good cop with Keller or Vera being the bad cop.
* GoodIsNotNice: Don't fuck with Art Keller.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
* GrenadeLauncher: The cartels have a few to use. Chuy uses one [[spoiler: to accidentally shoot out Art's helicopter.]]
* HairTriggerTemper: A lot of members of the cartel have it. The biggest offender is probably Sal Barrera.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: [[spoiler: Pablo is dismembered and placed around a statue.]]
* HallwayFight: The raid on Diego Tapias has a shootout in the middle of the hallway.
* HighSchoolHustler: Eddie Ruiz was one.
* IfItBleedsItLeads: How the newspaper views the Juarez war.
* IHaveAFamily: People try to use this, it never works.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
* IKissYourHand: Ana jokes about a man not kissing her hand, Pablo obliges.
* IllKillYou: When [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal with Barrera, Keller responds with this.]]
* InevitableMutualBetrayal: [[spoiler: When Barrera and Ochoa meet in Guatemala, they both have plans to wipe out the other.]]
* IShallTauntYou: Adan does this to Keller [[spoiler: after he cuts a deal.]]
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Keller ejects a dealer who sold guys to Los Zetas with pure cocaine.
* JailBait: Eva is groomed to be Adan's bride when she's 17.
* JammedSeatBelts: Almost gets Keller killed when Sicarios shoot at him.
* {{Jerkass}}: Too many to count with characters as scummy as petty murders, psychopaths, and corrupt cops.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
* KarmicDeath: [[spoiler: Ochoa, a fan of burning people alive and torture is shot then burned alive. Forty gets his face cut off then sown to a soccer ball, WHILE HE IS ALIVE!]]
* KilledOffScreen: [[spoiler: Pablo and Erika]]
* KillerCop: Police officers do hits for the cartels.
* KillThePoor: How some people view the War on Drugs.
* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
* LatinLand: Mexico.
* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
* NamedWeapons: Chuy calls his AR-15, erre.
* NewOldWest
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Keller gives a lot of information to [[spoiler: Vera, a corrupt cop which gets many people killed.]]
* NobleSavage: Crazy Eddie Ruiz.
* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
* NotSoDifferent: Adan Barrera and Art Keller.
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: Washington gives Tim Taylor and Art Keller a lot of flack with what they are doing.
* OffWithHerHead: A lot of people lose their heads.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
* PoliceAreUseless: State police are usually working for the cartels.
* PoliceBrutality: They are extremely violent as well.
* [[spoiler: PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
* PrivateMilitaryContractors: [[spoiler: a group approach Keller to help them kill the Los Zetas leadership unofficially for Washington]].
* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'".
* PublicExposure: Wild Child blogs about the murders and taking down Los Zetas. [[spoiler: It's actually Pablo.]]
* PyrrhicVictory: Marisol, Keller, and Chuy are devastated by the end.
* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Only Los Zetas goes so low as to rape.
* RapeLeadsToInsanity: Chuy was raped in Juvie, leading to his path of darkness.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Los Zetas are a fan of this.
* DisposableSexWorker: Los Zetas see prostitutes as this. When they kill Flor, Chuy's woman. He [[NoKillLikeOverkill disagrees...]]
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Keller, Marisol, Eddie and Chuy have gone through a lot of shit to say they got a happy ending.
* EliteArmy: FES and Los Zetas.
* EnemyCivilWar: Could be called Enemy Civil War the novel. From Tapias Vs. Barreras, Gulf Cartel vs Los Zetas, to Juarez vs Sinaloa etc.
* EnemyMine: Ochoa tries to pull this on Keller with Barrera. [[spoiler: Adan then tries this on Keller against the Zetas]]. Neither works out.
* EnfantTerrible: Chuy.
* EntitledBastard: Sal.
* EscalatingWar: The Juarez Cartel vs Sinaloa Cartel. It turns Juarez into a war-zone.
* EtTuBrute: Adan betrays lifelong friend Diego to save his nephew.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The Tapia brothers do all love each other. Adan loves his nephew. Nacho loves Eva.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Eddie Ruiz may be a murderer and a drug dealer but never women or children.
* EveryoneHasStandards: Everyone is appalled when Los Zetas murders an innocent family.
* EverybodyMustGetStoned: Most parties play out like this.
* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Blonde women get the most attention.
* EvilIsCool: Played with. The cartels are shown to throw great parties and have a lot of respect. But there is so much violence that occurs makes it BeingEvilSucks.
* EvilIsPetty: A trade of insults almost leads to a shootout before an important meeting even takes place.
* FingerGun: Pablo gets this when threatened to say that the Sinolan cartel murdered 15 party goers.
* FromBadToWorse: The whole novels goes from a simple manhunt to a deep investigation of corruption into a war story.
* GladToBeAliveSex: Marisol and Art have this once she's recovered from her shooting.
* GlassWeapon: Chuy breaks a bottle and slices his best friend Gabe's neck to flee Los Zetas.
* GoldDigger: Averted, Madga has her own money and power.
* GoodCopBadCop: Aguliar will always play the good cop with Keller or Vera being the bad cop.
* GoodIsNotNice: Don't fuck with Art Keller.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Art and Marisol.
* GottaKillThemAll: How most people feel about Los Zetas.
* GrenadeLauncher: The cartels have a few to use. Chuy uses one [[spoiler: to accidentally shoot out Art's helicopter.]]
* HairTriggerTemper: A lot of members of the cartel have it. The biggest offender is probably Sal Barrera.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: [[spoiler: Pablo is dismembered and placed around a statue.]]
* HallwayFight: The raid on Diego Tapias has a shootout in the middle of the hallway.
* HighSchoolHustler: Eddie Ruiz was one.
* IfItBleedsItLeads: How the newspaper views the Juarez war.
* IHaveAFamily: People try to use this, it never works.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Chuy wants this after all he went through.
* IKissYourHand: Ana jokes about a man not kissing her hand, Pablo obliges.
* IllKillYou: When [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal with Barrera, Keller responds with this.]]
* InevitableMutualBetrayal: [[spoiler: When Barrera and Ochoa meet in Guatemala, they both have plans to wipe out the other.]]
* IShallTauntYou: Adan does this to Keller [[spoiler: after he cuts a deal.]]
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Keller ejects a dealer who sold guys to Los Zetas with pure cocaine.
* JailBait: Eva is groomed to be Adan's bride when she's 17.
* JammedSeatBelts: Almost gets Keller killed when Sicarios shoot at him.
* {{Jerkass}}: Too many to count with characters as scummy as petty murders, psychopaths, and corrupt cops.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Eddie Ruiz.
* KarmicDeath: [[spoiler: Ochoa, a fan of burning people alive and torture is shot then burned alive. Forty gets his face cut off then sown to a soccer ball, WHILE HE IS ALIVE!]]
* KilledOffScreen: [[spoiler: Pablo and Erika]]
* KillerCop: Police officers do hits for the cartels.
* KillThePoor: How some people view the War on Drugs.
* KnifeNut: Juan Jesus Cabray.
* KnightInSourArmor: Keller.
* KubrickStare: Chuy has one everyone once in a while.
* LadyMacbeth: Madga plays this to Adan.
* LargeHam: Vincente Fuentes, Boss of the Juarez Cartel.
* LargeAndInCharge: Gordo Contreras, but not as in charge.
* LatinLand: Mexico.
* MadeOfEvil: Adan Barrera.
* ManipulativeBastard: Adan Barrera.
* MarkedToDie: Keller, Eddie, Chuy and Pablo all become targets.
* NamedWeapons: Chuy calls his AR-15, erre.
* NewOldWest
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Keller gives a lot of information to [[spoiler: Vera, a corrupt cop which gets many people killed.]]
* NobleSavage: Crazy Eddie Ruiz.
* NoKillLikeOverKill: A lot of deaths are extremely brutal.
* NotSoDifferent: Adan Barrera and Art Keller.
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: Washington gives Tim Taylor and Art Keller a lot of flack with what they are doing.
* OffWithHerHead: A lot of people lose their heads.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Keller goes to extreme measures to take down Los Zetas and Barrera.
* PoliceAreUseless: State police are usually working for the cartels.
* PoliceBrutality: They are extremely violent as well.
* [[spoiler: PregnantHostage: Madga is pregnant with Barrera's child when she is kidnapped by Los Zetas. It doesn't save her.]]
* PrivateMilitaryContractors: [[spoiler: a group approach Keller to help them kill the Los Zetas leadership unofficially for Washington]].
* PreMortemOneLiner: "A psalm: 'Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin'".
* PublicExposure: Wild Child blogs about the murders and taking down Los Zetas. [[spoiler: It's actually Pablo.]]
* PyrrhicVictory: Marisol, Keller, and Chuy are devastated by the end.
* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Only Los Zetas goes so low as to rape.
* RapeLeadsToInsanity: Chuy was raped in Juvie, leading to his path of darkness.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
* AlasPoorVillian: Averted to high hell, all the villains have done so much damage that when they get there commence, it's nothing short of cathartic.
to:
* AlasPoorVillian: AlasPoorVillain: Averted to high hell, all the villains have done so much damage that when they get there commence, it's nothing short of cathartic.
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* AntagonisticTitle: The Cartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
to:
* AntagonisticTitle: AntagonistTitle: The Cartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* ArmorIsUsless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
to:
* ArmorIsUsless: ArmorIsUseless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
* BadassBoast: Chuy dumps five heads from members of Los Zetas onto a club floor, following it with a threat to kill more.
Changed line(s) 33,34 (click to see context) from:
* BeserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
* BetterTheDeviYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
* BetterTheDeviYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
to:
* BeserkButton: BerserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
*BetterTheDeviYouKnow: BetterTheDevilYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
*
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* BodyguardBetrayel: [[spoiler: Chuy was working security when he goes rogue in the climax.]]
to:
* BodyguardBetrayel: BodyguardBetrayal: [[spoiler: Chuy was working security when he goes rogue in the climax.]]
Changed line(s) 45 (click to see context) from:
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.}}
to:
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.}}]]
* BreakingOutTheBoss: Nacho and Diego plan to break out Barrera after the Christmas party.
* BreakThemByTalking: Keller's specialty.
* BriefcaseFullOfMoney: Yvette Tapias' way of transporting money.
* BringItBackAlive: If Los Zetas wants to torture someone, they are brought back alive.
* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning.
* CallBack: There are numerous references to events from The Power of The Dog.
* CarFu: Sicarios try to shoot Keller while driving, afterward they try to run him off the road.
* ChekovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
* ChessMotifs: There are numerous chess references with Keller and Barrera trying to put each other in checkmate.
* ChildSoldiers: Chuy is 11 when he starts working for Los Zetas.
* ColdBlooded Torture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Los Zetas are a fan of decapitation, disembowelment, dismemberment and lighting people on fire.
* CrusadingLawyer: Luis Aguliar who works as a prosecutor.
* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
* DeadPartner: Ernie Hildago's murder from The Power of The Dog still haunts Keller.
* DeepCoverAgent: DEA has undercovers throughout Mexico.
* DepravedHomosexual: [[spoiler: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa]]
* DescentIntoAddiction: Diego hits cocaine hard after his brother: Alberto's death.
* DespairEventHerizon: After Marisol is almost killed, Art snaps back into action.
* DespiteThePlan: [[spoiler: Despite making a deal with Barrera, Art still kills him.]]
* DetectiveMole: [[spoiler: Gerardo Vera.]]
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER
* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
* DirtyOldMan: A commonality with the cartel bosses. Subverted with Adan Barrera who while in his 50s, is very polite and respectful to women.
*
* BreakingOutTheBoss: Nacho and Diego plan to break out Barrera after the Christmas party.
* BreakThemByTalking: Keller's specialty.
* BriefcaseFullOfMoney: Yvette Tapias' way of transporting money.
* BringItBackAlive: If Los Zetas wants to torture someone, they are brought back alive.
* ByTheBookCop: Luis Aguliar in the beginning.
* CallBack: There are numerous references to events from The Power of The Dog.
* CarFu: Sicarios try to shoot Keller while driving, afterward they try to run him off the road.
* ChekovsGunman: Richard Jimenez. He is introduced in the first few pages and isn't brought up until near the end to help find Keller a suspect. [[spoiler: his death escalates the DEA involvement.]]
* ChessMotifs: There are numerous chess references with Keller and Barrera trying to put each other in checkmate.
* ChildSoldiers: Chuy is 11 when he starts working for Los Zetas.
* ColdBlooded Torture: A favorite of Los Zetas.
* CoolOldGuy: Don Pedro Alejo de Castillo. He kills six members of Los Zetas BY HIMSELF!
* CopKiller: From cartel sicarios to other cops.
* CorpseLand: Juarez could be considered this.
* CowboyCop: Gerardo Vera. Art Keller slowly becomes this.
* CrapsackWorld: Mexico. Especially Juarez.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Los Zetas are a fan of decapitation, disembowelment, dismemberment and lighting people on fire.
* CrusadingLawyer: Luis Aguliar who works as a prosecutor.
* {{Cult}}: La Familia Michoacana is considered this.
* DaEditor: Oscar Herrera.
* DeadPartner: Ernie Hildago's murder from The Power of The Dog still haunts Keller.
* DeepCoverAgent: DEA has undercovers throughout Mexico.
* DepravedHomosexual: [[spoiler: According to Eddie Ruiz, Ochoa]]
* DescentIntoAddiction: Diego hits cocaine hard after his brother: Alberto's death.
* DespairEventHerizon: After Marisol is almost killed, Art snaps back into action.
* DespiteThePlan: [[spoiler: Despite making a deal with Barrera, Art still kills him.]]
* DetectiveMole: [[spoiler: Gerardo Vera.]]
* {{Determinator}}: ART-FREAKING-KELLER
* DirtyCop: Most of the Mexican police are.
* DirtyOldMan: A commonality with the cartel bosses. Subverted with Adan Barrera who while in his 50s, is very polite and respectful to women.
*
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/9781101874998_custom_6c35f726143b90f3bd8a06fe9e2c55e06b828d08_s300_c85_2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it.]]
The Cartel is the 2015 novel and direct sequel to The Power of The Dog. About a decade after the first novel: Arturo 'Art' Keller has retired from the DEA and Adan Barrera is in a US prison. Barrera using his connections and brainpower escapes custody. This brings the retired Keller back into the fight.
The novel allows focuses on Eddie Ruiz, a small-time dealer who is thrown into a bigger conflict, Jesus 'Chuy' Barajos, a kid who became a soldier for the fearsome Los Zetas at age 11 and Pablo Maro a reporter from Juarez.
---
!!! Tropes associated with the novel.
* ActionDuo: Gerardo Vera and Luis Aguilar, Vera even tells the media to call them Batman and Robin.
* ActionHero: Art Keller
* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
* AdultFear: Living in constant fear of your kids becoming a part of the drug trade. Or scarier, your family becoming collateral to the drug trade.
* AffablyEvil: Adan Barrera is friendly but he is also evil.
* AgeGapRomance: Adan Barrera who is 50 marries Eva Esparza when she is 18.
* AlasPoorVillian: Averted to high hell, all the villains have done so much damage that when they get there commence, it's nothing short of cathartic.
* AmbitionIsEvil: A major theme of the story: any character who wants too much will end up punished.
* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
* AntagonisticTitle: The Cartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
* AntiHero: Art Keller. He may be on the right side of the law but he is not above playing dirty to get Barrera.
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novels dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end.
* AnythingThatMoves: The cartels are made up of a lot of players.
* ArmorIsUsless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
* BadDreams: Chuy suffers them often during and after his time with Los Zetas. Keller as well.
* BadgesAndDogTags: Keller was in the CIA before he was DEA. Numerous members of the Mexican police forces were in the military before.
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Averted, when a beautiful woman is killed, the result is not pretty. Subverted with Marisol Cisneros, she believes she has become ugly but Keller sees past it.
* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries his best but he goes through a lot before he gets results.
* BeingEvilSucks: Sure being in the cartel will get you wealth and respect but at the cost of death and betrayals.
* BestFriendsInLaw: Adan Barrera's mentor Nacho Esparza becomes Adan's father in law when he marries his youngest daughter Eva.
* BeserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
* BetterTheDeviYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
* BigBad: Adan Barrera.
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapias of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
* BittersweetEnding: [[Spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
* BoomHeadshot: Numerous characters go out this way. [[spoiler: Including Adan Barrera.]]
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[Spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
* BloodKnight: Forty.
* BodyDouble: During the first raid against Barrera: Art shoots one thinking it was him.
* BodyguardBetrayel: [[spoiler: Chuy was working security when he goes rogue in the climax.]]
* BoobyTrap: Some of Adan's safe houses are traps to kill Keller.
* BoomHeadshot: Getting shot in the head is a commonality.
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.}}
[[caption-width-right:300:"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it.]]
The Cartel is the 2015 novel and direct sequel to The Power of The Dog. About a decade after the first novel: Arturo 'Art' Keller has retired from the DEA and Adan Barrera is in a US prison. Barrera using his connections and brainpower escapes custody. This brings the retired Keller back into the fight.
The novel allows focuses on Eddie Ruiz, a small-time dealer who is thrown into a bigger conflict, Jesus 'Chuy' Barajos, a kid who became a soldier for the fearsome Los Zetas at age 11 and Pablo Maro a reporter from Juarez.
---
!!! Tropes associated with the novel.
* ActionDuo: Gerardo Vera and Luis Aguilar, Vera even tells the media to call them Batman and Robin.
* ActionHero: Art Keller
* ActionSurvivor: Nothing seems to be able to kill Art Keller, no matter how much is thrown at him.
* ADayInTheLimelight: A few characters get some focus often to set up an atmosphere.
* AdultFear: Living in constant fear of your kids becoming a part of the drug trade. Or scarier, your family becoming collateral to the drug trade.
* AffablyEvil: Adan Barrera is friendly but he is also evil.
* AgeGapRomance: Adan Barrera who is 50 marries Eva Esparza when she is 18.
* AlasPoorVillian: Averted to high hell, all the villains have done so much damage that when they get there commence, it's nothing short of cathartic.
* AmbitionIsEvil: A major theme of the story: any character who wants too much will end up punished.
* AnachronicOrder: Some events are played out from different perspectives.
* AntagonisticTitle: The Cartel are the main antagonists of the novel.
* AntiHero: Art Keller. He may be on the right side of the law but he is not above playing dirty to get Barrera.
* AnyoneCanDie: As with the novels dark tone, most named characters are dead by the end.
* AnythingThatMoves: The cartels are made up of a lot of players.
* ArmorIsUsless: Averted, armor keeps people alive.
* BadassArmy: Los Zetas: The militarized wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of ex-Special Forces. The FES counts as well, being the only group to successfully combat the Zetas.
* BadDreams: Chuy suffers them often during and after his time with Los Zetas. Keller as well.
* BadgesAndDogTags: Keller was in the CIA before he was DEA. Numerous members of the Mexican police forces were in the military before.
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Averted, when a beautiful woman is killed, the result is not pretty. Subverted with Marisol Cisneros, she believes she has become ugly but Keller sees past it.
* BeingGoodSucks: Keller tries his best but he goes through a lot before he gets results.
* BeingEvilSucks: Sure being in the cartel will get you wealth and respect but at the cost of death and betrayals.
* BestFriendsInLaw: Adan Barrera's mentor Nacho Esparza becomes Adan's father in law when he marries his youngest daughter Eva.
* BeserkButton: Don't try to change Art Keller's mind about Adan Barrera.
* BetterTheDeviYouKnow: [[spoiler: Tim Taylor makes a deal to work with Adan Barrera because the DEA can trust Barrera over Los Zetas because of Keller. He is least than pleased when he hears about it.]]
* BigBad: Adan Barrera.
* BigBadEnsemble: There is Adan Barrera and Diego Tapias of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ochoa and Forty of Los Zetas. Plus all the smaller cartel bosses, corrupt army generals and police officials.
* BittersweetEnding: [[Spoiler: Keller has finally killed Barrera after a 40-year blood feud. Los Zetas has lost its leadership but so many people have died and so much damage has been done that it hardly feels worth it.]]
* BoomHeadshot: Numerous characters go out this way. [[spoiler: Including Adan Barrera.]]
* BloodBrothers: Diego Tapias and Adan Barrera grew up together and worked in the cartel together. [[Spoiler: However, it doesn't save Diego when Adan's nephew Sal is in prison.]]
* BloodKnight: Forty.
* BodyDouble: During the first raid against Barrera: Art shoots one thinking it was him.
* BodyguardBetrayel: [[spoiler: Chuy was working security when he goes rogue in the climax.]]
* BoobyTrap: Some of Adan's safe houses are traps to kill Keller.
* BoomHeadshot: Getting shot in the head is a commonality.
* BreakTheCutie: Marisol Cisneros, an idealistic doctor who wants to help people during the cartel war is slowly broken. [[Spoiler: After getting shot and the deaths of her friend Jimena Abarca and surrogate daughter Erika Valles, she almost completely breaks.}}