Riley Sager has become a staple name in the thriller genre, and like many readers, I eagerly anticipate each new release. His latest offering promises a fast-paced, easily digestible narrative that fans of his previous work will no doubt be quick to pick up. With multiple points of view driving the story, Sager adds a layer of complexity that enriches the overall dynamic and offers readers a fuller emotional experience — from heart-pounding tension to brief moments of levity.

However, while the novel showcases Sager’s signature sharp prose and undeniable storytelling talent, it ultimately falls short when compared to the gripping intensity of his earlier works. The plot, though engaging, never fully pulled me into that immersive, “can’t-put-it-down” space his novels so often achieve. Instead, I found myself reading more out of a sense of completion than true compulsion.

In the end, this is a solid pick for readers looking to pad their annual reading goals with a quick thriller fix. It’s not a must-read by Sager standards, but his craftsmanship still shines through. A worthwhile read — just not one that lingers long after the final page.

Riley Sager’s latest novel, With a Vengeance, is a fast-paced thriller set in 1942, right at the tail end of luxury train travel’s heyday. The story kicks off with six seemingly random passengers boarding a lavish train from Philadelphia to Chicago, only to discover they’re the only ones on board—and that the trip is far from a vacation. Their mysterious host, Anna Matheson, has lured them there for revenge, seeking justice for her ruined family. But when the passengers start dying one by one, Anna’s plan quickly spirals out of control, and she realizes she has to stop the killer before no one is left standing to face justice for destroying her family.

This book reminds me of Murder on the Orient Express, but with even more twists and a bit more chaos. It blends historical fiction with thriller, mystery, and even a touch of a love story (and perhaps a ghost?). While the constant turns in the plot made it a little hard to keep track at times, it definitely kept me on my toes. If you’re a fan of stories that keep you guessing with a moody, atmospheric setting and a hint of ghostly intrigue, this one’s a ride worth taking.

"With a Vengeance" by Riley Sager is a thrilling and expertly crafted mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Sager has a remarkable talent for building suspense and weaving intricate plot twists that leave readers guessing until the very last page.

The story revolves around a compelling protagonist who is drawn back into a world of danger and secrets, navigating through a richly developed cast of characters. Sager’s writing is sharp and immersive, enhancing the overall tension of the narrative. The pacing is superb, with a perfect balance of action and character development, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, "With a Vengeance" is a gripping read that showcases Riley Sager’s knack for storytelling. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone looking for a captivating escape into the world of suspense. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This one didn't feel like a Sager to me, and I've read all of his books. It's very Agatha Christie-esque, and was full of twists and turns - in true Riley Sager fashion. While I didn't prefer this one compared to his others, it's definitely a solid story, and shows how Sager continues to adapt and grow as a writer.

Thank you Netgalley and Dutton Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Pub date: June 10

I was sold at the premise of the book, historical fiction closed door mystery that takes place during a short period of time, I’m in. But this one was not great.

The whole novel takes place during a 14 hour luxury train ride from Philadelphia to Chicago. Anna (FMC) brings 6 passengers there under false pretenses to seek revenge on them for the destruction of her family 12 years earlier. And then her whole plan goes to shit.

The premise sounded fantastic, it drew me in and then let me down.

Not a single human on this train was likable. I don’t need a likable character to enjoy a book but they are all just insufferable. There were plot holes a plenty. And man was it slooooooooow.

The ending was tided up quickly after the twist which I saw coming.
I so wanted to like this but it just wasn’t for me.

This is very much Agatha Christie style locked room/murder on a train mystery, rather than Sager's traditional zany thriller, so it wasn't my cup of tea. Don't misunderstand: there are still a fair few zany twists, but they weren't as fun and didn't work as well in this subgenre, at least to me.

With a Vengeance is one of the best books that I've read so far this year. Anna Matheson’s plan is quite simple, to gather the six people that is responsable for the demise of her family in 1942. Now twelve years later, Anna has invited the six to board the Philidelpha Phoenix for a trip that they will never forget. The Phoenix was once of the fastest trains of the time, now people mostly travel by car and airplanes. Anna buys all the seats for the train and pays the staff to leave the train before it leaves the station. One by one Anna's guests are being killed which is not what she wanted to happen. Anna is wanting to turn the six passengers into the FBI and get the justice her family deserves. With a stowaway and another uninvited guest Anna, must now keep the remaining passengers safe and alive upon their arrival to Chicago. This was a fast paced read that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats until the very end. By far this is the best Riley Sager book that I've read. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Once I made substantial progress, I was able to get into it but it wasn't among my favorite Riley Sager books (which I typically love). The time period, plus the old fashioned setting on the train, combined with the Agatha Christie whoddunnit trope (that I'm not personally a fan of), plus lack of emotional depth when it came to characters (seeking vengeance but I didn't actually feel the emotion) made it just ok for me. I enjoyed finding out who/why and enjoyed the continual twists but the ending was also not totally gratifying for me. I will still eagerly anticipate Riley Sager's next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to review this as an ARC.

Overall an enjoyable read, however, for me it was a bit predictable. Kept me on my toes at parts and was shocking as well, just not quite as twisty as I’ve grown to expect from Sager.

This was a Riley Sager novel, through and through. I never knew which way was up or when I would get more answers than questions. I truly enjoy his novels and how he keeps you on the edge of the seat until the very end.

AS ALWAYS NEVER SEEMS TO DISSAPOINT ME !
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF RILEY SAGER FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND I AM AMAZED. AS ALWAYS I ENJOY WHEN HE WRITES A FMC WHICH IS ALMOST ALWAYS AND WHEN HE DOES THAT I AM BL OWN AWAY BY HOW GOOD AND BY HOW MUCH I CONNECT WITH THEM. THE BOOK HAD ME VISUALIZING THE TRAIN AND THE RIDE AND I LOVED IT AS WELL AS EACH CHARACTER. AS ALWAYS ILL DEF READ ANOTHER RILEY SAGER BOOK .

This was the perfect setting for a locked-room mystery! The atmosphere created by the train, with its claustrophobic layout and the sense of urgency as the characters move through the cars, really enhanced the story. I appreciated how the reader knows the plot from the very beginning, giving a unique twist to the typical mystery format. The backstory of Anna seeking justice for her family added emotional depth to her motivations, making her a compelling protagonist.

However, the story did feel a bit repetitive after a while. Once the motive was revealed, there wasn’t much more to uncover, and the tension started to fizzle out. I wasn’t particularly surprised by any of the twists, and even when there was a reveal, it felt fairly predictable. While it followed the traditional locked-room mystery structure, it lacked the thrilling intensity and psychological twists that Sager’s books are often known for.

The pacing was quick, and while I enjoyed the setting and premise, I found myself hoping for a stronger, more impactful ending. It was a solid read, but I felt like it didn’t quite reach its full potential.

Thank you, NetGalley & Penguin Group Dutton, for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager had an intriguing premise—revenge on a luxury train with a deadly twist—but unfortunately, it didn’t fully live up to its potential. The setup was promising, and the suspense built well early on, but the pacing quickly became uneven. The characters, especially Anna, felt underdeveloped, and the constant twists became more predictable than shocking. The reveal was somewhat lackluster and lacked the depth I hoped for.

While the tension on the train kept me engaged for parts of the story, the book ultimately didn’t deliver the level of suspense or emotional payoff I was expecting. Overall, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

An homage to the great Agatha Christie, this book by Riley Sager is very different from any of the others and is completely my favorite. Great character development. I never knew what was going to happen next.

I’m an OG Riley Sager fan. This was my least favorite of his - tried several times and could t finish it. Was not for me.

It’s a murder on a train / locked room / revenge book. I could t bring myself to care and it was realllllly slow.

The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Cokes out July 10, 2025.

3.t stars - I've read Sager before and adore "locked room" mysteries, so "With a Vengeance" sounded right up my alley - a 1950's woman getting long overdue revenge while on a non-stop train? Love the concept. Sadly, I thought the execution left a bit to be desired- too long, but thankfully fast-paced, too many plot holes, and a time setting that felt a bit off. But it was readable for me, and I did like the twists - so a mixed review. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my advance reader's copy - always appreciate the opportunity to review.

Riley Sager hits it out of the park with a thrilling murder mystery for fans of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, Clue, or Glass Onion.

My Quick Takes:
- 4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Language 🤐 moderate
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 Vague open door (past)
- Content 🤔 death, violence, murder, same sex relationship

Adding this into my top 3 favorite Sager novels. I loved the forced proximity, all the POVs, and how it seemingly bridged the gap between cozy murder mystery and thriller. Having the plot set in the 50’s gave it an edge of nostalgia that I enjoyed as well. Additionally, it had flashbacks to the ‘40’s and WW2, making it a great option for historical fiction readers that may want to expand their reading horizons.

In true Sager form, the twists and turns keep coming. Everyone is a suspect and Sager continually lured the reader into a false sense of security. I’m 0 for 9 on being able to figure out the ending of Sager’s novels and that’s just the way I like it.

Riley Sager's latest thriller, "With a Vengeance," is a gripping tale of revenge set aboard a luxury train in 1954. This claustrophobic thriller follows Anna Matheson, who has gathered six people responsible for destroying her family twelve years earlier on an overnight journey from Philadelphia to Chicago.

Sager expertly crafts a tense atmosphere within the confined space of the train, creating a sense of urgency and impending doom. The premise is intriguing: Anna plans to confront her enemies, extract confessions, and deliver them to authorities. However, her carefully orchestrated plan derails when one of the passengers is murdered, setting off a deadly game of cat and mouse.

The author's strength lies in his ability to build suspense and create vivid, atmospheric settings. Each train compartment and corridor becomes a potential hiding place for secrets and danger, contributing significantly to the escalating tension. Sager's adept handling of the setting as an instrument for building suspense is a testament to his skill as a thriller writer.

While the plot is razor-sharp and filled with twists and turns, some readers may find the story somewhat predictable or reminiscent of classic locked-room mysteries. The character development, particularly of the supporting cast, feels somewhat lacking, making it challenging for readers to fully invest in their fates.

"With a Vengeance" is a quick, engaging read that will appeal to fans of fast-paced thrillers and those who enjoy stories set in confined spaces. However, readers expecting the psychological depth and shocking twists of Sager's earlier works may find this offering slightly less satisfying.

Despite its shortcomings, the novel's ticking-clock scenario and the protagonist's moral dilemma of having to protect those she despises create an intriguing narrative that keeps readers engaged until the final page. "With a Vengeance" may not be Sager's strongest work, but it still offers an entertaining journey for thriller enthusiasts.

A readalike for fans of Agatha Christie, With a Vengeance is a murder mystery set in 1954. Anna has set up a plan to exact justice on an unsavory group of characters who she feels is responsible for the deaths of her family. Murders abound in a Clue-like romp as the cast is trapped on a train in a snowstorm, and Anna's plan begins to unravel as she struggles to figure out who is murdering the passengers.

Anna Matheson’s life is turned completely upside down when her brother, father, and mother are all taken away from her. Gone forever. After years of mourning, the only thing that Anna can focus on in vengeance.
Anna plots and schemes for an entire year, perfecting her plan. The 6 people who are responsible for the deaths of her family will be brought to justice. She has rented out the train that started it all: the Philadelphia Phoenix. It will be her and those who destroyed her family on a non-stop trip to Chicago. Once they arrive, the feds will take care of the rest.
However, when murder occurs (something Anna had no intention of doing), she has to work with the very people she hates in order to try and keep everyone, including herself, alive.

-----------------------------------------------------------

I thought this book was MUCH better than Sager’s previous one. It wasn’t as slow of a buildup, which was nice. However, I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of ALL of the plot twists that get thrown out toward the end. It is similar to “The Only One Left” where it felt like it you were satisfied, but another twist was thrown in just for funsies. I like it, but it feels like it’s just a little too much. At no point was I able to figure out where the story was going, whodunnit, or how it was going to end. I always try, but I was kept on my toes the entire time. I will definitely recommend this to my fellow readers.