You know that feeling when a favorite author finally does the "one thing" you've been waiting for? For fans of Riley Sager, that moment arrived with Riley Sager With a Vengeance. Honestly, after years of modern-day psychological thrillers and the occasional 80s or 90s throwback, Sager decided to go full vintage. He traded the creepy lake houses and gothic mansions for a high-speed luxury train in 1954. It’s a move that caught a lot of people off guard, but if you’re a fan of the "locked-room" trope, it’s basically catnip.
The book dropped on June 10, 2025, and it immediately sparked a debate among his "Final Girls" and "Home Before Dark" die-hards. Why? Because it’s a period piece. It’s a love letter to the golden age of mystery, specifically the kind of stuff Agatha Christie or Alfred Hitchcock would’ve cooked up after three martinis. If you’ve been following Sager’s career (or Todd Ritter’s, if you want to be technical), you know he loves a good homage. But this one feels heavier. More deliberate. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a 400-page exercise in atmospheric tension.
What is Riley Sager With a Vengeance actually about?
Let's look at the setup. It’s 1954. Our protagonist is Anna Matheson. She’s a woman who has spent twelve years marinating in a very specific kind of anger. Back in 1942, during the height of World War II, six people essentially dismantled her family’s life. We’re talking about a father accused of being a Nazi sympathizer, a mother who lost her mind, and a brother killed in a suspicious train accident.
Anna isn't just "sad." She's calculated.
She lures all six of these people onto a luxury train—The Philadelphia Phoenix—for an overnight journey from Philly to Chicago. It's a 13-hour trip. No stops. She wants confessions. She wants justice. But, because this is a Sager novel, things go sideways before the first drink is even finished. One of the passengers drops dead, and suddenly Anna’s carefully constructed revenge plot turns into a desperate hunt for a killer who might be targeting everyone on board.
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The characters trapped on the Phoenix
- Anna Matheson: The mastermind. She’s sharp, layered, and definitely not your standard damsel.
- Dante Wentworth: The wildcard. He’s the son of Anna’s archrival and her former flame. He shows up in his father’s place, which throws a massive wrench into Anna’s plans.
- The "Six": A collection of betrayers including a secretary, a housekeeper, and a business rival. Each one has a secret that Sager peels back like an onion.
Why the 1950s setting matters
Some readers found the jump to 1954 a bit jarring. Most of Sager’s previous hits feel very "now," even when they play with the past. But Riley Sager With a Vengeance lean into the era's limitations. No cell phones. No DNA testing at the touch of a button. Just fingerprints, witness accounts, and the claustrophobia of a metal tube hurtling through a snowy night.
The setting is a character itself. Sager describes the train with such detail—the velvet curtains, the dining car, the narrow corridors—that you can almost smell the stale cigarette smoke and expensive perfume. It’s evocative. It’s also a clever way to force the characters into close quarters. When you’re on a non-stop express, there’s literally nowhere to run.
Is it better than his other books?
That’s the big question, right? Honestly, it depends on what you like. If you’re into the supernatural leaning of "The Only One Left" or the campy horror of "Survive the Night," this might feel a little slow at first. It’s a "slow-burn" mystery. It’s more interested in the psychological weight of guilt than it is in jump scares.
However, the critics have been largely obsessed with it. David Baldacci called it a "rip-roaring, tension-filled tale." The Washington Post praised Sager’s ability to keep readers guessing. It’s a bit of a departure, but it shows a level of technical skill that’s honestly impressive. The way he weaves the 1942 flashbacks with the 1954 "present" is seamless. You never feel lost, even when the plot starts doing backflips in the final third.
The Agatha Christie connection
You cannot talk about this book without mentioning "Murder on the Orient Express." Sager isn't hiding the influence; he's shouting it from the rooftops. But while Christie was the master of the puzzle, Sager is the master of the twist.
In a traditional whodunit, the detective explains everything at the end and everyone goes to jail. In Riley Sager With a Vengeance, the reveals are much more personal. They hurt. The "vengeance" in the title isn't just a cool phrase; it's the engine of the entire story. It asks the question: how far would you go to ruin the people who ruined you? And more importantly, what happens when you realize you might not be the "good guy" in your own story?
Real-world reception and where to find it
The book has been a massive hit on the charts since its mid-2025 release. You can find it in the usual spots—Amazon, Barnes & Noble (they have a cool signed edition with an exclusive essay), and your local independent shops. It’s about 400 pages, which is the sweet spot for a weekend read.
If you're more of a listener, the audiobook narrated by Erin Bennett is highly recommended. She nails the mid-century noir tone. It’s about 10 and a half hours long, which is roughly the length of the actual train ride in the book. There's something kinda meta about listening to a train mystery while you're actually traveling.
What's next for Riley Sager?
Since we're already in early 2026, the buzz is already shifting toward his next project. Sager recently announced his 10th novel, The Unknown, which is slated for an August 4, 2026 release. He’s calling it his "Eras Tour" book because it reportedly references themes and tones from all his previous works.
But for now, Riley Sager With a Vengeance remains the peak of his historical thriller era. It’s a solid, atmospheric read that proves you don’t need ghosts or masked slashers to write a terrifying story. Sometimes, all you need is a group of people who hate each other and a train that doesn't stop.
Actionable Insights for Readers:
- Check the Timeline: Pay close attention to the dates in the chapter headings. The jump between 1942 and 1954 is where all the clues are hidden.
- Look Beyond the Mystery: The book is as much a character study of Anna as it is a murder mystery. Her motivations are the key to the ending.
- Compare the Versions: If you can get the Barnes & Noble edition, the exclusive essay by Sager gives a lot of insight into why he chose the 1954 setting over a modern one.
- Pair Your Read: If you like the vibe of this book, check out the 1945 film The Spiral Staircase or Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. They share the same DNA.