With a Vengeance by Riley Sager is a gripping, slow-burn thriller that turns revenge into a deadly chess game aboard a moving train. What starts as one woman’s calculated plan for justice quickly spirals into chaos when the bodies start falling. Tense, atmospheric, and full of sharp turns, this is a story where no one can be trusted—not even the one seeking justice.

This was such a fun and twisty thriller. I loved the dark setting on the train and the ominous storytelling. The characters were all very vividly described, and I had an easy time imagining them and how they act. I felt the plot was very straight forward and played out very well for a murder mystery. I definitely kept second guessing myself and being surprised by who did it! Definitely a fun mystery read!

This was fantastic! A locked room mystery aboard a moving train with so many interconnected backstories that I never wanted to stop reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an E-ARC version of this book in exchange for an honest review. With a Vengeance by Riley Sager was the third book I’ve read from this author, and it sent shivers down my spine with echoes of Murder on the Orient Express. The premise was a thrilling rollercoaster, set against the unique backdrop of a train, and the revenge plot had me hooked from the start. While the pacing was a bit leisurely, the intricate web of characters and their captivating backstories added depth to the story. It felt more like a historic mystery, but the atmosphere and the heart-pounding race against time kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, the narrator on Libro.fm was absolutely fantastic, making the journey even more unforgettable!

Set in the 1950s on a train, Anna Matheson is out for revenge. Her brother died, her father was framed, her family fell apart. She’s out for revenge for the person who tore her family apart or the people.

This book is a locked room mystery written in the third person. There are multiple people stuck on a train with only one reason …..revenge. But who really did it ……who really killed Anna‘s brother and other people because the accident that killed Anna‘s brother also killed multiple other people.

I will say that this book was entertaining. Was it plausible,was it worth it for her to spend all of her money her inheritance for this revenge maybe not. Did I enjoy myself reading this book? Yes, I did. Did I finish it and go well that was enjoyable. Yes, I did.

but how far would you go if someone hurt your family? I think that’s the point of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I normally love Riley Sager but I was pretty disappointed and that's a huge bummer. I thought the premise sounded interesting but unfortunately I was bored for a lot of the book and didn't find it very intriguing. The plot felt like it has been done many times before and the characters were not super interesting. The last 10% did get exciting and some characters came alive, but I don't think that makes up for the other 90%.

As a Riley Sager fan, this did not do it for me. There were so many plot holes and ridiculous twists that it made the entire book so convoluted and unbelievable for something that's trying to touch on tragic topics involving a war and family deaths. I also thought it was way too long and way too slow overall.

As a big fan of Riley Sager, I was really looking forward to With a Vengeance. The atmospheric setting (a snowed-in train hurtling through a blizzard) was a definite highlight. The isolated, locked-room mystery setup created a tense and immersive environment that fans of classic crime fiction will appreciate.
That said, I did find this one a bit more predictable than previous Sager titles. Perhaps it was the timing, (as have I recently read another novel with a similar premise), but parts of the story felt a little too familiar, with echoes of Murder on the Orient Express. I found myself wishing for more of the unexpected twists that I’ve come to associate with the Sager’s work.
Still, this was an enjoyable read, especially for those who love atmospheric thrillers and closed-circle mysteries. I remain a devoted Riley Sager reader and look forward to whatever comes next!

Have I ever read/seen Murder on the Orient Express? No. Did I immediately get that vibe? Yes. And whoa! The whodunit spins made me dizzy! You think you figured it out? No you didn’t I only wish there was more of Sager’s signature spooky suspense, but overall, another enjoyable book on my Riley Sager register.

First off, let me start by saying that I have a love/hate relationship with Riley Sager books. Actually, nah. That's too much. I've never actually hated one of his books. But I do find them pretty varied in terms of enjoyment. There are some that I really like (such as "The House Across the Lake"). Then, there are others that I only find mildly enjoyable.

"With a Vengeance" falls into that latter category. It was a reading experience that lands solidly in the middle ground for me. While I didn't dislike it or regret reading it, it left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed overall. I think it may be a genre thing. I appreciate the ones that are more horror-like much more than the ones that read like a straight mystery novel, which this one did.

The story gives off hardcore Agatha Christie vibes with its on-the-train setting, locked-room feel, and layered suspects. If you're a Christie fan or just enjoy intricate puzzles and a steadily unspooling plot, you'll like it much more than I did.

Furthermore, Sager does a great job building a sense of place, and the claustrophobic tension is consistently maintained throughout the novel.

However, despite Sager’s reputation for blending horror and suspense, this book leans much more heavily into the mystery genre, as I mentioned. There are far fewer pulse-pounding twists and horror elements than I would have liked.

Certain sections also dragged, and some of the moments that could have amped up the thrill felt instead a bit muted or predictable. Finally, I struggled to connect with the characters or feel much investment in the outcome. None of them were particularly likeable, including the main protagonist.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a mystery with retro charm and a clear nod to the classics, "With a Vengeance" delivers. Just don’t expect the harrowing suspense of some of Sager’s other works. This one plays it safe, offering a straightforward whodunit rather than a true thriller. A decent read, but not unforgettable.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from page 1. I fullheartedly support women’s wrongs, so I was really rooting for Anna’s vengeance plot. Her grief was so palpable and she felt like a real person. All of the characters did, for that matter. The guilty were so masterfully crafted for me to hate, and sometimes pity, and each of their stories are woven together into one incredible story.

Twisty and suspenseful, I was clamouring to turn the page each and every time. This is up there as one of my favorite Sager releases.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

I'm a huge RIley Sager fan but I didn't really enjoy this one. It felt like a chore to get through. I think it was just all over the palce

Another fab read from Riley Sager. Literally couldnt put it down at all! Full of high intensity twists and turns with a twist you didnt see coming!

I will read anything sager writes. Home before dark is one of my favorites. This one just didn’t quite work for me. I’m. It sure what it was exactly, but it didn’t feel like the sager books I love. Excited for the next one though!

Another solid thriller from Sager! Taking place over one unforgettable night, it was hard to put this one down. Add in a diverse cast of characters for an ending you won't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the eARC.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this arc!! Please make sure to follow me on bookstagram , tiktok, Youtube, & threads @ Readwithcupcake for more bookish content or reviews!

Unfortunately, this one did not meet the mark for me. Usually Riley's books suck me right into the story, but this one I just could not get into. If you like mysteries that take place on trains and the game Clue, then this one might just be for you!

This is my least favorite from this author, but I will continue to read his work and will continue to chase the high that I got from The Only Left (my favorite by him so far).

This book was yet another excellent thriller from Riley Sager! The continuous setting (taking place across one night) made it impossible to set this book down. The diverse cast of characters also created an ending that is not easily predicted.

Riley Sager has become one of my favorite authors. I am a thriller junkie, and he never disappoints. From the first sentence, you are hooked and want to know what is going on. Who is dead? Who is the killer? Why did they do it?
Anna Matheson blames 6 people for destroying her family, and twelve years later, she finally has a plan in place to get revenge. The story is set on a train with nowhere for anyone to go or hide. Anna's plan is quickly derailed, and she finds herself trying to protect herself from a murderer and unravel clues as to who it might be.

If you're looking for an engaging, suspenseful mystery / thriller, this is a must read for you. Sager's story is filled with moody atmosphere, compelling characters, exciting plot twists and excellent pacing. While at first it seems reminiscent of familiar Agatha Christie stories, the author successfully breaks expectations and provides plenty of twists and unexpected story aspects that make this a fresh, fun page turner. This would definitely make an entertaining movie too!

I really enjoy Riley Sager’s style of writing, but this one was not my favourite. I feel like there were too many characters and it felt very confusing at times. I do like the idea of the whole book taking place on a train, but like I said it was just too confusing for me!