Don’t go into this one expecting a book like Sager’s previous ones. It looks like he wanted to try something different. This one is more classic mystery, think Agatha Christie, with many moving parts and twists to keep you guessing until the conclusion when all is revealed.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC. I usually save Riley Sager books for vacations - it was honestly a little weird to read it normally and not in a big gulp! (although I did read a substantial chunk of it during an afternoon off)

This is another historical setting - I feel like I generally enjoy those more than his contemporary ones. It also has Agatha Christie and Hitchcock vibes, which is always fun. It’s borrowing quite a bit of story DNA from Murder on the Orient Express, which weirdly *doesn’t* get name-checked by any of the characters (and I checked - it was released in the ‘30s, so they definitely would have been aware of it). It’s also reminiscent of And Then There Were None.

Our main character is Anna Matheson. Her father used to work for the railroad, until a tragic accident (in a train he personally designed and built) ends his career. Even worse - Anna’s brother was on that train, so in one fell swoop she lost two of her family members (Dad went to jail and didn’t make it out alive, mom died shortly thereafter). Now twelve years have passed and Anna is ready for revenge. She calls together all of the people she believes are responsible for her family’s demise and gathers them on a luxury train traveling from Philadelphia to Chicago. She’s sent threatening notes to each person, basically promising to go public with what she knows if they don’t show up. They all do, of course, but things don’t go quite as planned. And once the passengers start dying, Anna realizes she may not be the only one out for vengeance.

Like pretty much every Riley Sager book, it’s hard to say too much more without giving away the plot! This one isn’t too reliant on twists (I’m pretty sure I still have whiplash from The Only One Left). I’ve seen other reviews lamenting that the characters are all terrible, which is certainly true - that’s kind of the point? These are the people whose actions led to a LOT of deaths, so yeah, not much sympathy to be had here. Anna herself is kind of annoying - basically a one-woman vengeance machine. There’s not a whole lot else to her personality. And this is one of those plot-plot-plot stories that doesn’t rely very much on character development. If you find the plot engaging - which I did – that won’t bother you. It’s not the *most* original plot - it’s certainly been done already. But I was interested enough in the outcome to keep reading, and that’s really all I’m looking for in a popcorn mystery like this one.

Riley Sager’s With a Vengeance delivers a high-stakes revenge tale set aboard a luxury train in 1954—a setting that lends itself beautifully to the classic closed-circle mystery format. With echoes of Murder on the Orient Express and a fresh, revenge-driven twist, the premise is undeniably compelling: one woman, six targets, thirteen hours to justice. What could go wrong?

Well, quite a bit, as it turns out—and not always in the way the plot intends.

The story wastes no time setting up its central tension. Anna Matheson’s carefully plotted plan to expose and punish the people who destroyed her family is thrown into chaos when a murder disrupts the journey. Suddenly, she’s not just seeking retribution—she’s trying to survive. The tight quarters of the train heighten the tension nicely, and Sager's skill at using setting to create suspense is once again on display.

Where the novel stumbles, however, is in its character work. While Anna is a reasonably well-developed protagonist, the supporting cast often feels too thin to invest in. The shifting perspectives are a clever structural choice but don't always add the depth one might hope for. As the body count rises, I found myself more intrigued by the mechanics of the mystery than by the fates of the characters involved.

Pacing-wise, the novel is solid—it keeps the momentum going and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Still, some of the twists were predictable, and a few plot beats veer into cliché territory, particularly in the final stretch. A key reveal late in the game felt especially contrived, undercutting some of the tension that had been so carefully built.

All that said, With a Vengeance remains a fun, page-turning ride. It’s not Sager’s strongest work, but it will likely satisfy fans of classic whodunits and those who enjoy a well-contained thriller with a vintage flair. Just don’t expect too many surprises beyond the initial hook.

With a Vengeance
by Riley Sager
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Under false pretenses, Anna has lured those responsible for her family’s downfall onto a luxury train from Philadelphia to Chicago, an overnight journey of thirteen hours. Her goal? Confront the people who’ve wronged her, get them to confess their crimes, and deliver them into the hands of authorities waiting at the end of the line. Justice will at last be served.

But Anna’s plan is quickly derailed by the murder of one of the passengers. As the train barrels through the night, it becomes clear that someone else on board is enacting their own form of revenge—and that they won’t stop until everyone else is dead.
This book was a major disappoint to me.
What I Liked:
1. Riley Sager has great covers
2. Train mystery

What I Didn't Like:
1. So many plot holes
2. Unrealistic scenarios
3. Unrealistic characters
4. Very slow and boring
5. Addressing everyone by their full names the whole way through the book
6. Way too long for how slow this book is - could have been 100 pages shorter
7. That ending

Anna's father owned a luxury train line in the 1930s. She had the dream life, loving parents and an amazing older brother. All of that changed when one of the trains holding soldiers - including her brother - explodes resulting in her father's arrest and eventual murder in prison.

Twelve years later, Anna gathers the individuals actually responsible for the explosion on an overnight train from Philadelphia to Chicago. The plan is to get them to admit to what they have done and turn them over to the FBI in Chicago. The plan derails as the six individuals she tricked into coming on the train start dying one by one.

First line: The train isn’t empty, although it certainly feels that way.

Summary: Anna Matheson’s life was destroyed by a train disaster in 1942. For years she has ruminated on the people who ruined her life and now she has uncovered the truth behind their deeds from over a decade before. In a master plan to take down all of them she lures them onto a train from Philadelphia to Chicago which will end in their arrest for their crimes. However, someone on board the train has another plan for the conspirators. Anna must hunt a killer amongst them in order to get the justice she has been waiting years for which means protecting the people she hates the most.

My Thoughts: Once again Riley Sager has changed course from his usual format, not that it’s a bad thing but different than what he has written before. He has returned to a female main character but rather than only one narrator we get the perspective of all the passengers of the train. Early on you get the feel of Murder on the Orient Express and I was in for it.

I did really enjoy this book. I love closed door because it makes you pay attention to every little detail because these are the parts that may give you a clue to the killer’s identity. Everyone is a suspect and there are only so many places to hide. I think the addition of giving us other perspectives helped enhance the mystery but we still cannot trust anyone.

I had a lot of fun reading this but my one critique is near the end where there was cliché scene that felt silly. When you read it you will understand. It seems to be added because it is almost expected but I could have done without it. Even with this scene I found the mystery intriguing and entertaining. If you love Agatha Christie and a good closed door mystery, then I’d highly recommend Sager’s newest novel.

I’ve long been an admirer of Riley Sager, having thoroughly enjoyed every book he's published up until now. Unfortunately, With A Vengeance didn’t live up to the high expectations I had.

One of the major issues I had was the overwhelming number of characters which ended up diluting the impact of each character’s arc. The second issue was the repetitive nature of the storytelling. It was as though the same themes were hammered home again and again without adding much depth or new insight. Instead of keeping me hooked, these repetitive moments made the book feel sluggish, and I lost all sense of excitement.

What should have been a race along the tracks in a train time gone by ended up being a desire to just get to Chicago already. So disappointed!

All I have to say about this book is that I was SHOCKED at it. I'm a huge fan of Sager's work and I had started being able to predict how books were going to go. With this one, I couldn't predict anything. The writing was superb, I felt like I couldn't put this book down. Sager did it again with this book and has proven again why he is one of my favorite authors.

I absolutely loved *With a Vengeance* by Riley Sager! The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and the pacing was spot-on. Sager has a knack for building suspense and keeping readers guessing until the very last page. The plot is clever, dark, and full of mystery, which made it impossible to put down.

That being said, the female main character, while certainly central to the story, was a bit annoying at times. Her actions felt a bit forced and her decision-making sometimes lacked the nuance I was hoping for. Still, this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing the ARC. This book is definitely worth picking up for anyone who loves a good thriller with plenty of twists!

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 .