Hodder & Stoughton buys two more from Riley Sager with major campaign planned

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired novels from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager.

Lucy Stewart, editorial director at Hodder & Stoughton, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from a deal struck with Michelle Brower and Allison Malecha at Trellis Literary Management for two books. The first book – With a Vengeance – will be published in hardback in June 2025.

In the US, Sager continues to be published by Dutton. In the UK, this publication will be matched with a significant campaign push and ambitious growth plans to continue to expand Riley’s readership in the UK, where he already has a huge number of incredibly dedicated fans. His novels have been published in over 35 countries.

With a Vengeance is a locked-room, Agatha Christie-inspired thriller set on a luxury train travelling from Philadelphia to Chicago.

The synopsis reads: “In 1942, six people destroyed Anna Matheson’s family. Twelve years later, she’s ready for retribution. Under false pretences, she lures those responsible for her family’s downfall onto the train, with the aim of finally serving justice to people who wronged her. But as the train barrels through the night, it becomes clear that someone else on board is enacting their own form of vengeance – and that they won’t stop until everyone else is dead. One train. No stops. A deadly game of survival and revenge.”

Sager, who lives in New Jersey, said: “With a Vengeance is a wild ride that Agatha Christie fans are going to love.”

Stewart said: “Riley Sager’s books deliver something different every time, and Riley has of course done it again in With a Vengeance: original and unique, with a truly never-ending number of twists and an utterly compulsive plot that I couldn’t put down, Riley pairs social commentary with world-class suspense writing in this – his ninth – book. We have hugely ambitious plans for Riley’s growth here at Hodder, and are delighted to have this opportunity to introduce even more readers to Riley’s books.”