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!

I should have gone with my gut feeling that said that this isn´t the author for me.
I really didn´t like this one.
Part one where we are introduced to the characters already feels repetitve and tells us way too much about everyone´s intentions and misdeeds. I would have liked to learn these things peu à peu as the story progresses, not spoon-fed at every possibility.
I would have also liked for the suspects to have their own motivations and secrets that Anna didn´t forsee - reasons for why they did what they did.

Anna as a MC just didn´t work for me. She was supposed to have planned this sceme for over a year and then all she did was deliver a half-assed speach and after that ... expected everyone to awkwardly wait for the arrival in Chicago? A weak set-up.
All in all, the way of storytelling and plot-twists of this author just isn´t for me. Sadly, the train as a setting which I loved didn´t save this book for me.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this Advanced Reader's Copy. All opinions are my own.

It's the 1954 and Anna Matheson has gathered six people she believes destroyed her life 12 years ago under false pretenses. All of them end up on a luxury train headed to Chicago, she plans to confront them and get them to confess, however things don't go to plan and someone is murdered. For lovers of Agatha Christie and locked door mysteries.

I really enjoyed this book, and I'm a sucker for a good locked door mystery and this one delivered.

I'm giving With a Vengeance by Riley Sager 4.5 stars.

Always enjoy Riley Sager's works and this was no different, though with an interesting change in style. This one didn't seem nearly as suspenseful. Not enough really to be excited about for a pretty hefty portion of the story, which wasn't as much of an issue for me as it sounds like it would be. Something about this book just kept gripping me even though I wasn't quite sure why. By the end, everything really ramped up and even got a little over the top. LOVE that. Huge fan of the wit, the edge, and the unexpected turns of trail.
Ever so grateful for the opportunity to read this book free of charge ahead of official publication.

a solid effort from Sager. Some of his I really like and some of them fall flat and this one was somewhere in the middle. A little bit of a departure for him, usually they're set in present day but that train was a fun device. Some of the characters were a little hard to keep straight, I wish they had been developed a little more and stood out from each other.

I would say this wasn't my favorite Sager book, but I just went back and looked at my past reads and I've rated pretty much every Sager book I've read as 3 stars outside of Middle of the Night . Despite that, I keep picking up his books. They're always entertaining, even when I don't really connect with the characters, and he crafts a well thought out mystery most of the time. This book was very Agatha Christie, which I liked a lot- I love a locked room mystery. The problem was that I didn't connect to any of the characters- and found the main character, who I think we're supposed to sympathize with, kind of insufferable.

I love a Riley Sager thriller though this one was not my favorite so far. It's hard when an author has so many hits to feel that every new book lives up to the "favorite." From reviews I've seen, I'm not alone in this thought. However, Riley does such a fantastic job writing suspense. Even when it's not a top shelf favorite, it's still compelling and addicting to read. I'll never shy away from one of his books.