The Usual Suspects Book Club

Title: With a Vengeance

Author: Riley Sager

Genre(s): Thriller; Suspense; Mystery

Audience: Adult

Quote: “Revenge is fleeting. Vengeance lasts a lifetime.”-Riley Sager, With a Vengeance

Blurb: In 1942, six people destroyed Anna Matheson’s family. Determined on revenge, twelve years later, she lures under false pretenses those responsible for her family’s ruination onto a luxury train bound for Chicago and justice. On this high-speed ride, there are multiple murders and no stops. 

Thoughts: I appreciated how the plot moves along at a quick clip aided by the short chapters and sentences. Structurally, I appreciated Sager’s choice to divide the story into unique sections for every hour that transpires during the train’s journey from Philadelphia to Chicago. I found it effective for giving me a clear sense of the passage of time throughout the story. Twists and turns come especially fast at the end. In particular, I was surprised by some of the revelations of who was on the train and who might not have actually been dead after all!

I also enjoyed how the first class train accommodations are portrayed in vivid, luxuriant detail, while the descriptions of the winter landscape outside the windows provided a feeling of eerie isolation. 

Characters vary in terms of the depth and complexity with which they are portrayed. Sal and Dante are particular highlights in my opinion for their fleshed-out backstories and personalities whereas I connected less with Anna as the story progressed and some of her actions came to seem more convoluted than clever. 

Perfect for: Fans of And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express; Riley Sager fans; those who love mysteries set on trains. 

Interested in reading? Formats available with your Leonia Library Card: Book, eBook, Large Print, eAudiobook, Book on CD. 

Have you read With a Vengeance by Riley Sager? If so, we’d love to chat with you about it at our November meeting of The Usual Suspects Book Club on November 18th at 2-3pm in the Ficke Room! New members are always welcome at our book club, and registration is not required.