Chapter summaries With a Vengeance Riley Sager

Chapter Twenty-Two Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Anna discovers Edith Gerhardt’s corpse in the observation car. Instead of the hatred she expected to feel, she recalls Edith’s small kindnesses and is overcome with guilt, believing her own scheme caused both Edith’s and Judd’s deaths. The other passengers arrive, and Lapsford accuses Anna of murder. Herb Pulaski confirms Anna was alone with Edith and heard an argument. Anna insists she is innocent and that her only plan is to deliver everyone safely to Chicago. Reggie Davis examines Edith and deduces she was smothered with a chair cushion, not strangled with the cord. He finds lipstick on the cushion, confirming the method. Reggie then reveals his true identity: Special Agent Reginald Davis of the FBI. Anna, who earlier saw a man she believes is her dead brother Tommy, chooses to keep that sighting to herself.

Key Events

  • Anna finds Edith dead and feels a surprising mix of grief and guilt.
  • The other passengers gather; Lapsford accuses Anna.
  • Herb Pulaski testifies that Anna and Edith were arguing.
  • Reggie Davis determines Edith was smothered, not strangled.
  • Reggie discovers the murder weapon: a cushion with Edith’s lipstick.
  • Reggie reveals his FBI badge and true identity.
  • Anna conceals her possible sighting of Tommy.

Character Development

Anna – Her emotional response to Edith’s death deepens her character. She expected to feel hate but instead remembers warmth and nurture. This suggests that her quest for justice is complicated by lingering ties to the people she has manipulated. Her guilt over Judd’s and Edith’s deaths marks a turning point; she acknowledges her own responsibility.

Reggie Davis – Previously portrayed as a hapless passenger who boarded the wrong train, Reggie is unmasked as an FBI special agent. His careful forensic analysis—noticing the lack of ligature marks and the smeared lipstick—shows he is observant and trained. His revelation shifts the power dynamics and raises questions about his purpose on the train.

Edith Gerhardt – Although dead, Edith’s characterization expands through Anna’s memories. She was not merely the object of Anna’s revenge; she was a complex woman who baked apple strudel and moved with light footsteps. Her murder removes one of Anna’s intended targets and adds another layer of mystery.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Guilt and Responsibility – Anna explicitly blames herself for the deaths, even though she did not commit the murders. The theme of intended versus actual consequences runs through the chapter; Anna’s plan has spiraled beyond her control.

Deception and Identity – Reggie’s FBI cover-up is the central twist. The cushion used as a weapon is also a symbol of domestic comfort turned lethal. The motif of hidden identities continues with Anna’s secret about possibly seeing Tommy.

Memory and Loss – Anna’s recollections of Edith’s warmth and strudel demonstrate that memory can soften even long-standing hatred. Loss becomes a catalyst for self-reflection rather than rage.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter Twenty-Two delivers a major revelation: one of the passengers is a federal agent. This changes the stakes for Anna, who is now under official scrutiny. The forensic detail about suffocation versus strangulation adds a layer of realism and redirects suspicion away from Anna—at least temporarily. Anna’s internal guilt also deepens the narrative, suggesting that her emotional journey may be as important as the external mystery. The chapter sets up future confrontations between Anna, the FBI, and the unknown killer.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Anna feel guilty about Edith’s death, even though she did not kill her?
    Anna believes she is responsible because she tricked Edith and the others onto the train. She feels that her scheme set the conditions that led to the murder, which echoes her guilt over Judd’s death.

  2. What evidence leads Reggie to conclude Edith was smothered rather than strangled?
    Reggie notes the absence of ligature marks on Edith’s neck and the smeared lipstick on her mouth. He then finds a chair cushion with a matching lipstick stain, confirming suffocation.

  3. Why does Anna choose not to tell the others that she saw a man (possibly Tommy) moving through the train?
    Anna withholds the information because admitting she saw her dead brother would sound illogical and could further incriminate her. It also protects her private investigation and mental state.

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