Nothing is left to the imagination in Anna Karolina’s debut novel. Drawing on years of experience in the Swedish police force, Karolina delivers a Swedish underbelly saga, revolving around Magnus—a corrupt detective superintendent, Amanda—a rookie cop, and Adnan—a man just released from prison.

Karolina’s ability to intricately weave each character’s story through a complex plot is notable. However, there is no avoiding the tasteless and revolting imagery portrayed throughout the text. 

The graphic depictions of sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, drug use and more,—however accurate, left me sick to the stomach. 

Boasting to be a book where the characters ‘straddle the line between right and wrong’, there is no question in my mind that Savage Congress tackles fundamental societal issues in the most savage and ruthless method possible. With barely a page free of such gut-wrenching, damaging detail, your time will be better spent reading another crime thriller.