Date: August 9, 2025
Author: Riley Sager
Title: With A Vengeance
Page 75 ‘Revenge is Fleeting. Vengeance lasts a lifetime.’
First, I’d like to thank Mr. Sager for writing this book! I have read quite a few of his stories in the past and though I’ve enjoyed his prior writing this is definitely his best work yet. (To me, anyway.) I would like to award this an if-I-could-read-this-in-one-sitting-and-get-away-with-it-kinda-book-I-would.
It all started a dozen years ago in a fiery train explosion carrying 37 soldiers, including Anna’s brother, ripping him tragically from her life. This explosion snowballed into the tragic destruction of her entire family, leaving her alone to face the world, save her Aunt Retta, whom taught her how to channel her anger and control it.
The culmination of years of planning by her and a fellow grief-stricken brother of another lost to that fateful military train explosion came to fruition via a ruse to get the guilty parties aboard another train named the Philadelphia Phoenix. It wasn’t revenge they sought, but vengeance.
The Phoenix had quite a history of its own and was of great import in Anna’s formative years. It was the train her dad built and was the reason behind the sabotage of the military train, which he also built. Though not his fault, he was framed and blamed for the military train tragedy, leaving his company worthless and vulnerable to the guilty party, whom conveniently purchased the Phoenix for mere pennies.
Memories of happier times followed Anna’s every step aboard this train she grew up on. The plan was to escort the guilty parties, making sure they are delivered, intact, to the waiting FBI agents in Chicago so justice could finally be served. However, even the best laid plans sometimes derail in brilliant technicolor.
This is a classic case of 8 people board a train alive, but how many will disembark in that same condition? This story had me guessing and gasping with every sleight of Mr. Sager’s hand. You’ll never guess what happens next.