Review of With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
From the moment I caught a glimpse of the striking cover for With a Vengeance, I felt a magnetic pull. Riley Sager’s books have always fascinated me, weaving intricate tales that balance suspense and emotion. But this one, set on a luxurious train amid a web of betrayal and revenge, promised something uniquely thrilling. Little did I know, it would spark a whirlwind of thoughts—both engaging and frustrating.
The Premise and Key Themes
The heart of With a Vengeance beats with the heavy themes of grief, vengeance, and toxic relationships. Anna Matheson is out for retribution against the six individuals she holds responsible for her family’s destruction. The year is 1954, a decade after her life turned into a haunting shadow of what it once was, and she’s lured her enemies on a midnight train ride, determined to confront them.
Sager has a keen knack for exploring the psychological depths of his characters. However, what struck me about Anna’s quest for justice was how her pain mirrored the deep-seated issues many of us face. The toxic family dynamics, the weight of loss, and the quest for closure resonate powerfully, capturing the complexities of human emotion.
Characters and Their Dynamics
As for the characters, I found myself empathizing with Anna’s struggle but frustrated by the other passengers’ often unrealistic portrayals. It felt like they were mere plot devices instead of fully fleshed-out individuals. Their interactions seemed contrived, weighty with exposition rather than genuine dialogue, which detracted from the overall tension. By the time I reached the climax, I was left feeling less intrigued by the mystery and more exasperated at the scattered threads of character motivations.
While there are moments of genuine suspense—especially as the body count rises and a murderer lurks in the shadows—there were also plot holes that made me question the plot’s coherence. For instance, the logic behind certain character decisions often felt shaky, which drew me out of the immersive experience I craved.
Writing Style and Structure
Sager is known for his captivating prose, but in With a Vengeance, I was struck by the pacing issues. The story seems drawn out, with an over-reliance on ever-redundant full names—could we not drop first names every so often? It felt unnecessarily repetitive, contributing to a slower buildup that hindered the suspense.
That said, there were flashes of brilliance—a knack for surprising twists and hairpin turns that kept me invested, even as I grappled with my frustrations. I found myself chuckling at the echoes of classic whodunnits, reminiscent of Clue. The blend of humor amidst the tension was refreshing, revealing Sager’s playful side.
Final Reflections
With a Vengeance is certainly a departure from the traditional thriller template, offering a mix of intrigue, family drama, and chaotic interactions. While some aspects left me wanting—like deeper character development and tighter plot construction—there is a charm that encourages readers to keep turning the pages. Fans of mystery and drama who enjoy plots steeped in family dynamics and revenge will likely find something here to appreciate.
In the end, Sager’s latest offering serves as a fragmented mirror of human experience, blending grief with the desperate quest for justice—reminding us that vengeance can be a double-edged sword. My reading journey was a testament to the rollercoaster that is Sager’s storytelling—one filled with moments of suspense that sometimes tip into bewilderment. Ultimately, I would recommend it to those ready for an occasionally bumpy yet thrilling ride on the tracks of mystery.