The Cartel Trilogy Signed Set Reference

The Cartel Trilogy — The Power of the Dog (2005), The Cartel (2015), and The Border (2019) — is the definitive fictional treatment of the American-Mexican drug war and one of the great achievement in contemporary crime fiction. Assembling a signed set of all three volumes in first editions is the principal Winslow collecting achievement.

Assembling the Set

The Power of the Dog (2005, Knopf): The most valuable and most difficult volume. Published before Winslow’s fame exploded with The Cartel, the first printing was modest. Signed copies from the 2005 tour are scarce.

The Cartel (2015, Knopf): The middle volume, published during Winslow’s peak commercial period. Larger first printing, more available signed.

The Border (2019, William Morrow): The conclusion, published with the full support of a major house behind a now-bestselling author. Most readily available signed.

Set Values

• Complete signed set, all fine/fine: $350–$900
• Complete inscribed set: $500–$1,500
• Individual volumes: See individual title references

The set premium is modest (10–15%) because individual volumes are available independently. The inconsistent publisher (Knopf for the first two, Morrow for the third) is a minor bibliographic irregularity that some collectors note.

Collecting Strategy

Acquire The Power of the Dog first — it’s the most expensive and scarcest volume. The other two can be found with reasonable effort. Aim for consistent condition across the set. Winslow’s retirement means no new Cartel novels will appear, making the Trilogy a closed set.