I have tried to read this and even tried listedning on audio but it is not my cup of tea. Thank you for the opportunity to review but I will not be moving forward with this one.

Thirty years ago, Sarah Lingate's body was found at the bottom of the cliffs outside the home her husband's family was renting on the island of Capri. While her husband, Richard, was suspected of killing her (and many people still think he did), the official ruling was eventually suicide. Her three year old daughter, Helen, was their home in L.A. when it happened. Now thirty-three but still living under her family's thumb, Helen arrives on Capri with her boyfriend, father, aunt and uncle, and her uncle's assistant, Lorna. What could have been a lovely vacation on an idyllic island starts to unravel when the necklace Helen's mother was wearing the night she died -but was never recovered- arrives by mail with a letter demanding that the family pay $10 million to keep the sender quiet about what they know about the night Sarah died. Everyone on the island seems to be keeping a secret, some more shocking than others. Atmospheric and suspenseful, this story is told from multiple points of view and alternates between 1992 and 2022 (present day). It's a slow burn that picks up its pace as the story progresses, and there is more than one stunning twist before you reach the end.

4⭐️ I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric thriller. Written from dual timelines and multiple POV, it’s fast paced and twisty!

Set in Capri, Helen Lingate and her wealthy family, father Richard, Uncle Marcus, Aunt Naomi, and assistant Lorna arrive on the anniversary of Helen’s mom’s death. Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death has haunted the family for 30 years.

Lives of the rich, murder, cheating, mystery, and many unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing til the unexpected ending!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one a lot. Also sorry for leaving a review so late. But I love a good mystery book and this one hit good. It kept me hooked til the end and boy did I not see that ending coming at all. I highly recommend this book to all my mystery lovers out there.

I was totally not expecting that ending! Blew my mind, maybe others will see it but I didn't. This captured my attention they entire time. The multiple POV's always brought more information to light and the story became more clear as you get closer to the ending. Helen and Lorna's personalities are so multifaceted at times. Very well written characters, have flaws but you find yourself rooting for them regardless. Capri was written beautifully but also at certain times you feel yourself trapped in the heat just like the characters are.


All around a very intriguing story, I will be on the lookout for more books from this author for sure.

3.5 stars rounded up -- this is an atmospheric and entertaining family drama/mystery (not quite a thriller in my opinion). I loved the setting of summer in Capri, and you could really feel like you were there. Stories about rich people doing bad things are always entertaining, but I didn't really connect with the characters too much. There was a twist I did not see coming, so that's always fun. Plus, I love the cover!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, this dark thriller weaves a compelling mystery around a family intertwined with wealth and secrets. Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s suspicious death, her daughter, Helen, and family assistant, Lorna, uncover long-hidden truths when a necklace linked to Sarah’s death is discovered. The story skillfully alternates between timelines, exploring the complexities of family loyalty, power, and manipulation. While the twists are engaging, I found it difficult to connect with the characters, who all seem self-serving. Helen’s desperate quest for freedom from her controlling family renders her the least of the evils, but the narrative evokes pity for their obsession with legacy. Despite a few messy moments, the atmospheric setting and gradual unveiling of secrets create a gripping read. It's worth your time for fans of dark family dramas.

Katy Hays’ Saltwater is a gripping family mystery that slowly unravels the Lingate family's buried secrets. The story kicks off when the Lingates return for their usual trip to the island, marking 30 years since Sarah Lingate, the family’s famous writer, tragically died. But this time, things take a turn when a mysterious delivery forces the family to crack and eventually leads to the reopening of Sarah’s case. As the blackmail schemes turn deadly, it quickly becomes clear that the Lingates have a lot more to hide than anyone, including some of their own family members, could’ve guessed.

What really stands out in Saltwater is the way Hays moves between different points of view and timelines. It’s a clever way to give the reader bits and pieces of the bigger picture—like little clues that hint at the secrets the family’s desperately trying to keep under wraps. Everyone is lying, but the important question is why?

Saltwater is a slow-burn thriller with a great mix of suspense and family drama. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves a mystery like The Fury from Alex Michaelides that keeps them guessing. Hays does an amazing job creating an atmosphere of tension and unease, making this one of those un-put-downable books that you can read in one sitting. Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I really wish I liked this book. I will probably give it another go in the future but I got stuck about half way through and tried to keep picking it up but eventually just gave up on it. I’m grateful for being able to give it a try!

Saltwater is a family drama with a bit of mystery. Sarah Lingate died in 1992. Told from several different points of view the reader is left wondering what really happened to Sarah. I personally had a hard time making a connection with the characters and the time jumping could be confusing at times.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #30/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3.5 🍷🍷🍷
Book: Saltwater
Author: Katy Hays
Available Now!

Sipping thoughts: A domestic thriller fueled by lies, greed, and betrayal. At first, this book was hard to follow with all the names and people. I loved the family dynamic and how it exposes the depths some would go to keep their riches and prestige. I didn't even come close to predicting the ending and loved how it played out.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @RandomHousePublishingGroup for an advanced copy of @Saltwater.

#Saltwater #KatyHays #RandomHousePublishingGroup #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

I was eager to read Saltwater by Katy Hays, having absolutely loved her debut novel, The Cloisters. That book felt fresh, atmospheric, and unique, so I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, Saltwater didn’t quite live up to my expectations as much as The Cloisters but I still really enjoyed it!

The novel follows Helen Lingate, who returns to Capri with her wealthy, secretive family. Decades earlier, Helen’s mother, Sarah, died under mysterious circumstances on the island, and now, history seems to be repeating itself when a family assistant, Lorna, disappears. Told through multiple points of view, the story weaves between past and present, slowly unraveling long-buried secrets. The setup is intriguing, but the slow beginning made it difficult to fully engage with the narrative at first.

Despite the sluggish start, the novel eventually hooked me. The last fourth of the book is packed with twists and revelations that had me flipping pages quickly and having my miss my train stop. Hays effectively builds suspense as each character’s version of events unfolds, leaving the reader uncertain about who to trust. By the end, the layers of deception are peeled away, making for a satisfying, if somewhat convoluted, conclusion.

One of my biggest disappointments was the lack of a strong sense of place. Given that Saltwater is set in Capri, I expected a lush, evocative backdrop, but the setting didn’t feel as vividly drawn as it could have been. Additionally, the characters—particularly the Lingate family—were difficult to connect with. Their dysfunction and privilege are central to the story, but I struggled to find anyone truly likable or compelling.

Overall, Saltwater was an engaging read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. While the twists and turns were well-executed, the lack of atmosphere and a slow start prevented it from being a standout. That said, I’m still interested in seeing what Katy Hays writes next, as she has a talent for crafting intricate, suspenseful plots. If you enjoy thrillers with layered family secrets, Saltwater is worth a read—but don’t expect it to transport you in the way The Cloisters did.

"Saltwater" by Katy Hays was a bit of a slow burn at first, but once it got going, it took off. It didn't disappoint at all! One of the things I loved most was the setting. Hays does such a great job of bringing the location to life. It has multiple perspectives and across different timelines. I felt like I was right there, experiencing it all. I'm going on a cruise soon, and I kept thinking how perfect this book would be to read while relaxing on the beach. Honestly, the cover initially drew me in – it's stunning! But beyond the beautiful backdrop, "Saltwater" delivers some fantastic twists and turns, which is exactly what I look for in a thriller. It's the kind of story that keeps you guessing. It has multiple perspectives and across different timelines. Thanks to NetGalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Saltwater by Katy Hays
#twentyeighthbookof2025 #arc #saltwater

CW: death, murder, adultery

From NetGalley: In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Despite suspicions that the old-money Lingates are involved, Sarah’s death is ruled an accident. And every year, the family returns to prove it’s true. But on the thirtieth anniversary of Sarah’s death, the Lingates arrive at the villa to find a surprise waiting for them—the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died. Haunted by the specter of that night, the legendary Lingate family unity is pushed to a breaking point, and Helen seizes the opportunity. Enlisting the help of Lorna Moreno, a family assistant, the two plot their escape from Helen’s paranoid, insular family. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, Helen has to confront the fact that everyone who was on Capri thirty years ago remains a suspect—her controlling father, Richard; her rarely lucid aunt, Naomi; her distant uncle, Marcus; and their circle of friends, visitors, and staff. Even Lorna, her closest ally, may not be who she seems. As long-hidden secrets about that night boil to surface, one thing becomes clear: Not everyone will leave the island alive.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this novel a lot. It’s told mostly in dual perspectives from Lorna and Helen, though there’s a few one offs from other characters. At first I found a Lorna’s chapters more interesting but that changed as the novel progressed. I liked this book better than the author’s previous work, but they both deal with very pretentious people in dramatic situations. It’s always interesting to learn about super wealthy people via their staff. The setting might just be the best part. The descriptions of Capri are mesmerizing, and now I need to go. I enjoyed that I had no idea how the book was going to end, and the main twist was definitely not something I would have even guessed.

Thank you to @randomhouse Ballantine and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 3/25/25)

This book had so much promise, but it felt flat for me. I didn't feel any connection to the characters and the writing was not my style. Thank you, NetGalley.

A twisty murder mystery with a lot of family drama in a beautiful location. It took forever for the story to pick up and the last remaining twists were predictable. It’s a good beach read.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very slow book from start to finish. I never enjoyed any part of it.

A rich family and a murder. A wife’s murder. Then you have them all in Capri along with one of the maids but she’s not working she’s a guest. Yeah right.

I didn’t like one single thing about this book. It was not thrilling in any way to me. I had zero emotions.

This takes you back and forth between people and time. To me each narrator made their pov sound the same. It was a total waste of my time to read.

Thank you to the publisher for this arc and I’m sorry I can’t think of anything nice to say. It was just not for me.

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Random House and Ballantine Books for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

The Lingate family are a wealthy socialite family that live the highlife but they have secrets. During their annual holiday on Capri, the truth will come out and it will ruin them. But that truth is not what anyone expects. 

This family reminded me of the Roy family on Succession only with a penchant for murder. It's super messy and no one is really likable but you can't turn away. This is definitely one of those thrillers where you don't know the full truth until the very last page.

This was about a woman named Helen, she grew up from the age of 3 without a mother. Her mother was found dead off the ocean cliffs while the family was vacationing in Italy. The death was ruled an accident, but everyone knew that this family rich with old money was also rich with secrets. They still go back to the same vacation home in Italy, every year since Helen's mother's death. But the family won't talk to Helen about her mother, so she decides she is going to find out more about her mother on her own. This trip while they're on vacation, a package is delivered, and inside is a note and the necklace her mother was wearing on the night she died. This was a mystery thriller with twists I didn't see coming. This story showcased how money changes people and how easily family will turn on each other for money. This was about a family who cared about money and keeping up their perfect appearance above all else. And ultimately it was their downfall. 🩷📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of Saltwater, in exchange for an honest review.

Spending time in southern Italy was a special experience—there’s something about the atmosphere and the people that made it unforgettable. But what really stood out was the story I found myself immersed in. The main characters weren’t locals but a ridiculously wealthy, snobbish American family, and their dynamic was absolutely chaotic. At times, it felt unbelievable, but it was written in a way that kept me engaged. I was never bored for a second.

As the story unfolded, I started noticing that some of the predictions my friend Sharada and I had made were actually right, which was satisfying. However, certain twists felt a little too unrealistic. Still, I reminded myself—it’s a story, and sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief. Despite a few over-the-top moments, the experience was completely immersive. The setting, the characters, and the unpredictable nature of it all made it an unforgettable read.