Riley Sager Books in Order and Ranked
I consider myself a literary expert on Riley Sager Books. While I haven’t read all the Riley Sager books in order, I have read them all! Like most writers, his stories get even better with each book. The twists get twistier, and the plot becomes more complex.
I decided to compile the list below to help with any confusion about the order in which the books were published. I also included my personal rankings of Riley Sager’s books as well!
Below, you’ll find every one of the spine-tingling thrillers that Riley Sager is known for, along with the publication year. One of the best things about Sager’s books is that you can read them in any order, and you know that you will always get a great thriller. As of now, there is no announcement about his next novel, but I expect it will be sometime in Summer 2027. I’ll be sure to add that in whenever it’s announced!
I love making a list of books in order, and I don’t just do thrillers. I have fantasy, romance, mysteries, and historical fiction lists as well!
Riley Sager Books in Order
- Final Girls: A Novel (2017)
- The Last Time I Lied: A Novel (2018)
- Lock Every Door: A Novel (2019)
- Home Before Dark: A Novel (2020)
- Survive the Night: A Novel (2021)
- The House Across the Lake: A Novel (2022)
- The Only One Left: A Novel (2023)
- Middle of the Night (2024)
- With a Vengeance (2025)
- The Unknown (2026)
The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked
In the past few years, I have devoured all the Riley Sager books and thus find myself qualified to call myself a superfan. I wanted to rank his books so that you can pick your next read. Spoiler: the ratings go from great to fantastic. You really cannot go wrong.
#1 With a Vengeance
With a Vengeance
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 15+
Plot
In 1954, Anna Matheson boards a luxury train with six people responsible for her family’s death. She lured them all to the train, where they will be the only passengers. She plans to expose their crimes and see them arrested by the FBI when the train arrives in Chicago the next day.
But when one of them is murdered, it derails Anna’s plans. She wants to see them pay for their crimes, not die. Now, Anna must find the killer and stop them before the train reaches its destination. Soon, the passengers are being picked off one by one, and she must risk her life to protect them.
Why Jackie loves it
This is Riley Sager at his best. I love this historical thriller. It was fast-paced and reminiscent of Agatha Christie. I thought the plot was smart and the main character was likable- I was rooting for her. This is one of my favorite Riley Sager books. I felt like it was different than his normal style and I loved it. #gifted
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / Riley Sager Books in Order and Ranked / Books Set on a Train / Best Thriller Books of 2025 / Best Winter Books / Riley Sager Books in Order
#2 The Only One Left
The Only One Left: A Novel
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2023
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In this mystery thriller book, Kit McDeere has taken a position as a home health aide for Lenora Hope, who was accused of murdering her whole family years before. With no evidence, Lenora was never convicted and has lived in her home without leaving all this time. Lenora can only move one finger and communicates with a typewriter.
Kit feels like there may be more to the story than anyone knows and wants to leave the crumbling mansion, but she has nowhere else to go. This is a perfect thriller book for fall.
Why Jackie loves it
If you have been following Beyond the Bookends for a while you know we love Riley Sager. This is one of my favorites! I was left guessing until the end what was really going on in this crazy house.
Find this book in: Isolation Thrillers / Books Set in Maine / Riley Sager Books in Order and Ranked
#3 Middle of the Night
Middle of the Night
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2024
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range:16+
Plot
Ethan Marsh’s best friend Billy disappeared 13 years ago while they were camping in Ethan’s backyard. Now, years later Ethan is still plagued with memories from that night. He cannot remember anything and even worse, he is seeing signs of Billy everywhere. Who could be playing such a terrible prank?
As Ethan tries to remember what happened that night, he becomes more convinced that Billy’s ghost is trying to give him clues.
Why Jackie loves it
I have read and ranked all of Riley Sager’s books, so you know that I jumped at the chance to read this book. It was creepy and just scary enough to keep me flipping the pages.
Find this book in: Best Psychological Thriller Books / Riley Sager Books in Order and Ranked
#4 Final Girls
Final Girls
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2017
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
2018 Winner of the International Thrillers Writer Award for Best Hardcover Novel
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This book is an award winner for good reason. Quincy is a member of a club to which only three girls belong. Final Girls are the only survivors of mass killings. Ten years after Quincy’s horrible nightmare in a cabin in the woods, she is being forced to relive the memories that she has completely blocked out since that night.
Why Jackie loves it
This thriller was Riley Sager’s first book. It also happens to be one of my favorite books of his. This book had completely unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the last chapter.
Find this book in: The Best Books of 2017 / Riley Sager Books in Order and Ranked
#5 The Last Time I Lied
Plot
Emma is returning to her summer camp as a counselor after avoiding it since the tragedy of her bunkmates, Vivian, Natalie, and Allison’s disappearance. Trying to piece together what happened that fateful summer, she realizes she might be in danger.
Why Jackie loves it
I was so freaked out that I finished this thriller in 2 days, maybe because I visited my own overnight camp while reading it. I just needed to know how it ended! Other people have told me they were shocked at the twists and turns too.
Find this book in: Books Set at Camp / Lake Novels / Riley Sager Books in Order
#6 Survive the Night
Plot
Riley Sager is back with a heart-pounding read about a girl who took a ride from a stranger to get home. She’s leaving college after finding out her best friend was murdered by an unknown serial killer.
But as the night progresses, she begins to think that the stranger giving her a ride is actually the serial killer. Can she survive the night? This is one of the creepier Riley Sager Books.
Why Jackie loves it
The creep factor in this book is off the charts. I was not sure what was going to happen and I loved the feeling.
Find this book in: Halloween Thriller Books / Serial Killer Books / Riley Sager Books in Order
#7 Lock Every Door
Plot
Jules is hired to apartment-sit at a ridiculously wealthy building in NYC. But there are strange rules to protect the residents of The Bartholomew – no visitors, no disturbing the neighbors, and no spending nights away from the apartment. There are also some concerning urban legends surrounding the lush residence. Let’s just say I was glad I was not alone while I was reading this creepy tale. If you love Riley Sager books, this one is a must-read.
Why Jackie loves it
Riley Sager is a must-read author for me. I loved his previous book, The Last Time I Lied, so I was eager to pick this one up. The story is told via a dual timeline about 4 days apart. I love books that use this as a plot device. It keeps me on my toes
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2020 / Best Horror Thriller Books / Riley Sager Books in Order
#8 The House Across the Lake
The House Across the Lake
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2022
Genre: Thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Casey Fletcher is an actress fleeing bad press after the death of her beloved husband. She retreats to the family’s lake house, despite the fact that this is where her husband drowned.
Casey spends her days drinking and spying on the house across the lake. When she saves former supermodel, Katherine Royce from drowning, the two strike up a friendship, it becomes clear that Katherine and her husband are having some serious issues- after all, you find out a lot of things when watching the neighbors all day through binoculars.
Why Jackie likes it
Some points in the story moved slowly for me and at one point, the story nearly lost me. But, I am so glad that I kept reading. There were definitely surprises that I did not see coming. If you like a creepy thriller, this pick from Riley Sager books is for you.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Novels Set on a Lake / Haunted House Books / Isolation Books / Riley Sager Books in Order
#9 Home Before Dark
Home Before Dark
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2020
Genre: Thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Best Books of 2020
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Maggie Holt spent three weeks in a house that became the subject of a best-selling novel written by her father.
During the three weeks in the house, the family was haunted by ghosts before they were eventually forced to flee. Twenty-five years later, Maggie is shocked to learn that her father still owned the house when he died and the house is now hers.
As Maggie returns to the house to find out what really happened, she might be in for more than she bargained for. Even though this is last on our list of Riley Sager books, it was a fun read that I would highly recommend.
Why Jackie likes it
This is a fun book that is not only about books but also has a touch of paranormal as well. If ghosts are not your thing but you love thrillers, I would recommend this one as a perfect “in-between” book. Riley Sager is very readable, and his books are never a disappointment.
Find this book in: Halloween Thriller Books / Books About Books / Riley Sager Books in Order
Helpful Tips
- Riley Sager’s books are full of suspense, thrills, twists and turns. I have enjoyed listening to and reading these books. You just may not want to read or listen at night alone in the house
- Even though I read these books in the summer as soon as they come out, I think these books are best consumed in the Fall, on a crisp night in front of a fire with a warm cup of something in your hands- in my case tea or hot cider!
- Each of these stories is a standalone, so you don’t need to read the Riley Sager books in order!
- When trying to decide your favorite Riley Sager book, there are several factors you might consider. Which one was the scariest? Which one was your favorite plot? You can rank all of these when deciding
- This list is entirely subjective, you might have an opinion much different than mine! Let me know what you think of my rankings!
Frequently Asked Questions About Riley Sager Book Order
Do I need to read Riley Sager’s Books in order?
No! You don’t need to read his stories in order as they are all standalone novels. Each of these thriller novels is completely different.
What kinds of books does Riley Sager write?
Riley Sager is known for his spooky thrillers. Some have paranormal activity but others will leave you questioning. If you are looking for a good Halloween thriller, these fit the bill perfectly.
Which Riley Sager book is ranked the highest?
The Only One Left (2023) is the highest-ranked book on Goodreads. It is also the highest-ranked Riley Sager book on StoryGraph. My favorite Riley Sager book is With a Vengeance (2025).
Who is Riley Sager?
Riley Sager is the best-selling author of 10 books. He is a native of Pennsylvania who now lives in Princeton, New Jersey, and his real name is Todd Ritter! Todd writes under the nom de plume of Riley Sager. We are guessing that Todd picked the name Riley, a very gender-neutral name, for people who have preferences for the gender of the authors they read.
He had been previously published under his real name but was relatively unknown. He, along with his publicist, agreed that a new name would give him a fresh start. We agree that Riley Sager’s books offer a fresh voice from a thriller perspective
What is Riley Sager’s Best Book?
Riley Sager’s books are all thrillers you will not want to put down. His most critically acclaimed book is his first book, Final Girls.
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Epilogue
I’d love you to join me as a Riley Sager book expert! Tell me which of his books you like the most and which you plan to read next! Have you read them all? Which books are your favorite? It will help tide me over until his next book comes out!
