1. From the opening murders to the novel’s many unexpected deaths and betrayals, The Sudden Arrival of Violence has more than a few twists and surprises in store for readers. Did you anticipate any of the novel’s about-faces? Which plot reversals came as a complete surprise to you? How did your expectations for various characters’ outcomes stack up against where Mackay leaves the cast of characters in its final pages?
2. Despite its rampant illegality, the Jamieson-Young syndicate is a kind of business and operates in many similar ways to an aboveboard business. Leaving aside the nastiness of their particular line of work, is there anything in the maneuverings between rival syndicates and members of the same organization that reminds you of situations you’ve encountered in your own line of work? What kind of business do you imagine organized crime has the most in common with? Why?
3. The Sudden Arrival of Violence’s large cast of characters encompasses a wide swath of different types of people on opposite sides of the law. (See the character list here for a complete cast of characters.) Overall, who of the assortment was your favorite character? Whom did you like the least?
4. What about Mackay’s portrait of organized crime surprised you? Overall, would you say his novels play against genre conventions or embrace them? What themes did you encounter about crime and criminality in the pages of The Sudden Arrival of Violence?
5. Does Calum make the right decision in leaving behind a life of crime, given the enormous cost of his freedom? Does his brother do the right thing in supporting Calum’s bid for freedom?
6. What do you think of Calum and William’s original plan to shield their mother from the truth about Calum’s impending flight? In her shoes, would you have encouraged Calum to flee, or, given the risks involved, do you think you’d have urged him to take another path?
7. Do you think Deana does the right thing in seeking justice for Kenny? Given their relationship’s stated commitment issues, would you have done the same thing in her position? Does her decision to accept a payment from Jamieson color your assessment of her decisions?
8. Do you think Calum will manage to avoid a life of crime outside Glasgow? Does he have what it takes to make good on his intention to become the kind of man his brother wanted him to be? Why or why not?
9. What do you imagine happens to the rest of the characters in The Sudden Arrival of Violence after the last page? Whom would you back in a war for control of the crime syndicate they once managed together—Jamieson or Young?