
Member Reviews

Saltwater by Katy Hays is a psychological thriller that puts readers on edge with every page and with all of the characters! Absolutely a vibe.

This was a fun, twisty thriller set in the lovely Capri. Told from various POVs and timelines, Saltwater is the story of Lorna and Helen who partner in a blackmail scheme against Helen’s family, both desperate for financial independence. Intertwined is the story of Helen’s mother Sarah, who died in Capri 30 years prior.
I loved that this was set in Capri, a beautiful island near Sorrento, Italy. The setting of the villa, which seemed so luxurious but later had signs of decay and moldering beneath the surface was a metaphor for Helen’s family. There were some good twists that I don’t even want to hint at.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review: I really wanted to like this one. It's possible that I go back to this book later in life and try again. What I will say my impression as a first read is I really struggled with it. I found it very confusing and therefore difficult to connect to the characters and their experiences. Part of the problem is that the story heavily relies on being layered. We are introduced to several characters and time periods. Usually this is a buzz word for me or something that I enjoy in books. However, I just could not figure this one out. I kept trying to keep the characters and their stories separate but was not able to. Because of that, I found myself getting frustrated and unable to enjoy my time reading. it.
I will give the PSA that family legacy stories are ones that can be hard for me to follow. So, if that's your thing, you want to add this to your TBR. I wanted to read this because I found the premise interesting and exciting. The writing is very good, that's not really the problem. You can tell the author took a lot of time to plan this story and I'm sure the ending would pay off. I just think my brain is not the right one for it. If you struggle to connect multiple characters and times, this may be challenging for you as well.
*3 stars given to be fair to the author

I was immediately drawn to this one by the beautiful cover and the setting on the Island of Capri! This has long been a dream destination for me and I am finally going to see it this year! The descriptive writing is beautiful and brings this island to life in such a gorgeous way. The story is about the famously wealthy family, The Lingates. In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead beneath the cliffs of Capri. It is ruled an accident, but there has always been a shadow of doubt surrounding the family. The family returns to Capri every year to prove that it's true and have nothing to hide. We now arrive back to the island on the 30th anniversary of her death. The family gets a real surprise in the mail, the unusual snake necklace that she was wearing when she died. The book then toggles back and forth in time to try to solve the mystery of what really happened. There is also a current timeline mystery. This is definitely a "rich people behaving badly" book and it really delves into the lengths that the rich will go to to protect their privacy, their secrets and most of all their fortunes. This was super twisty and I did not see most of it coming. It was a a bit slow to take off, but once I was in, I was all in! I could not wait to see how it all unfolded, clear up until the shocking end. Overall, a fast paced mystery/thriller with a beautiful backdrop of Italy.
Thank you to @netgalley, @randomhousepublishing and @ballentinebooks for this gifted copy. Publishes on March 25, 2025. If you love a good thriller, put this one on your list!

I love a thriller about the rich. Have them behaving badly and I’m even more intrigued. I enjoyed this one because of the multiple POVs with multiple narrators which helps me keep my characters straight while listening. Dual timeline as well to set the scene was well done. I truly enjoyed this one even though I definitely predicted most of the twist! Also when can I book my trip to Capri?

Helen Lingate hopes to learn more about her murdered mother; Lorna hopes to just learn more about the secretive Lingates.
Saltwater sets up an interesting mystery, then in the last few chapters jerks you around. How many twists can you pack into a few pages? Capri sounds lovely; Katy Hays paints a beautiful picture. The rest--well, it's a fun read. Take it on vacation, but make sure you can read the last quarter of the book in one sitting.

4.5 stars, rounded up
So apparently I do this thing where if I go on a beach vacation I only read wealthy family drama/thrillers? Anyone else have a vacation go-to?
I genuinely loved *Saltwater* by Katy Hays. The setting was everything—set on the gorgeous island of Capri, but wrapped in the gritty world of drugs, booze, murder, and frenemy drama. The tension between the sun-soaked vacation vibes and the dark secrets brewing underneath kept me on my toes, and the sense of being trapped in this twisted family dynamic really came alive on the page.
There were so many characters to dislike, and each had a reason to be the mastermind behind it all. I was suspicious of *everyone* and totally hooked. I enjoyed how some of these unlikable characters still had redeeming qualities, making me root for them despite their flaws. I guessed half of the big twist; if you know me, you know that’s exactly what I want in a thriller - I need the *option* to guess, but I still want that element of surprise, without it being too far-fetched.
The only thing keeping this from a perfect 5 stars was the pacing. For the most part, it worked, but there were parts that felt either too slow or too rushed, which impacted the overall tension. If it were a bit shorter, I think the pacing would have been tighter, making the story even stronger. There’s also another aspect I didn’t *love* (but can’t share without spoiling), so DM me if you're curious! Let's just say I respect the parallel timelines (and understand that was a major point of this novel), but I think having a few more differences between the two could’ve made the plot even more thrilling.
This book is heavy on family drama (which I loved), but if you're after a fast-paced, light thriller, this might not be your vibe. However, if you're in the mood to dive deep into some juicy family dynamics among the 1% with some thrilling elements, I totally recommend it!
Big thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Loved this one… so hard to put down! Languid, hypnotic, and absolutely bingeable, SALTWATER started with a dazzling setting and then threw in a dark, juicy glimpse into the lives of the rich. I’ve told all of my followers to watch for this thriller when it releases later this month! (4.5/5 stars rounded up)

The Lingates are your stereotypical rich entitled family. In 1992, Sarah is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. The family is suspected but the death is ruled an accidental fall. They gather on the island every year, but on the 30th anniversary somehow the necklace Sarah was wearing that night turns up. The story gave an Agatha Christie feel and while slow at times with a few insufferable characters, the ending was astonishing!!

I found this book very . complex and fulI of unnecessary conversations that made the story feel over worked and bulky. Having read the authors other novel, I was not sureprised by this but still could not find a comfortable rhythm in This book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House-Ballantine for the ARC of Saltwater in exchange for my honest review. (A special thank you to Kathleen Quinlan for reaching out to me with my first widget! It really put a huge smile on my face!)
Saltwater tells the story of a woman named Helen Lingate who is vacationing on the island of Capri with her extremely rich family. But this is no ordinary, carefree vacation. Thirty years prior Helen's mother Sarah was found dead on the same island. When another woman goes missing the secrets of the past are hurled into the present and Helen finds herself feeling the pressure of too many unanswered questions. Was Sarah's death an accident or suicide? Or something more nefarious, after all?
This thriller had me from page one. The characters (some likable and some not) were well written and the beautiful island of Capri provided the perfect contrasting backdrop to the ugly behaviors of the Lingate family. I also enjoyed the length of the chapters, which provided a nice reading pace. (Not a huge fan of the cover, but you know what our moms say about judging books based on their covers.) Overall, I was really entertained and wanted to keep reading to find out who did what (and why).
4⭐️
Pub Date: March 25, 2025
#Saltwater #NetGalley

I was really looking forward to reading this book. A lot of people said they loved it. However, I had a hard time reading it. To me, the story was way to detailed in parts

✨ 4 Stars ✨
Saltwater is giving Perfect Family energy, on location. Saltwater follows the Lingate's on their annual trip to Capri. Helen, the daughter of Richard Lingate has a complicated relationship with the island, because it is where her mother died back in 1992, but this is the year where Helen and her uncle's assistant (her now bestie) are going to uncover what actually happened that week in 1992.
This one was full of twists, intrigue, and deception, keeping me on my toes throughout. Also, I love a wealthy family that cracks and breaks under pressure, sue me.
This book is out March 25! Keep your eyes peeled.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the eARC ✨

Saltwater is a beautifully written, poignant exploration of family, identity, and belonging. The prose is lyrical, and the characters are deeply relatable. A heartfelt and captivating read!

Helen’s mother died decades ago near their luxurious family vacation home on a Mediterranean island. Investigating this mystery years later uncovers some very unpleasant truths, and maybe even provokes more death….
This novel is not for the faint hearted.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. It was ultimately too unrealistic (and quite a bit like another thriller I just finished) with no redeeming characters to make me even care. The setting on the island of Capri was excellent though!
This is just my opinion, and I can see it really working for others. Aside from a few typos, it was well written and the plot moved fairly quickly. So give it a try if it sounds like something you’d enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars

The best way I can sum up Katy Hays’ latest book is Succession meets The White Lotus. If you are a fan of either of those streaming sensations or just love a good rich people behaving badly thriller, you will want to throw Saltwater in your suitcase for your next vacation, or in your beach bag for your next trip to the pool or oceanside.
I went into this book mostly blind. Truth be told, I am hard-pressed to pass up any title with the word salt in it. I took one look at the title and the alluring cover, and I was in. Saltwater did not disappoint this thriller-loving reader. I decided to read this on a flight to Puerto Rico, where my husband and I were going to be vacationing for a few days. When flying, I need a propulsive read and this book satisfied that requirement. Since I was leaving the frigid temperatures of the Northeast U.S. behind for a few days, I wanted a story that would blend well with the warm and sultry climate I was entering. Capri is not Puerto Rico, but the vibes in Saltwater suited perfectly for my weekend getaway.
Saltwater contains many characters you probably won’t like, but as with Succession, you might find yourself rooting for some of them nevertheless, or maybe not. This story revolves around one uber-wealthy family, the Lingates, and a past scandal that continues to haunt them 30 years later. While the Lingates vacation on the island of Capri, what often seems crisp and sparkling in the light of day, becomes murkier as evening approaches, and even less clear under the haze of alcohol, clubs, and all-night partying. I am the type of reader who tries to figure out the puzzles as I read, and this one seemed pretty straightforward, being the seasoned thriller/mystery reader I am. But even I found myself gasping out loud at some of the twists, turns and reveals as this story unfolded.
Saltwater by Katy Hays releases on March 25, 2025, just in time for summer in some parts of the world. If you enjoy thrillers set in summery, sultry settings, with a cast of characters that behave in appalling ways, and are looking for a perfect beach bag book, definitely give Saltwater a try.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the ARC of Saltwater by Katy Hays. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and all opinions are my own.

Saltwater is a twisty, atmospheric mystery set on the island of Capri—perfect for mystery fans looking for a great beach read this summer.
The story unfolds across multiple timelines and perspectives, a structure I typically enjoy. However, the narrating characters lacked distinct voices, making it difficult at times to track whose POV I was in. I often had to backtrack to the beginning of chapters for clarity. That said, I appreciated the newspaper articles woven throughout, which added an interesting break in the narrative.
As for the characters? Pretty much all of them were unlikable—this is a book where everyone is guilty in some way. Despite that, the intrigue kept me engaged, and the setting added to the suspenseful, immersive feel of the story.

Salt Water by Katy Hays is a compelling, emotional read about a daughter, who returns to her small hometown after her mother’s sudden death. She’s looking for answers, but what she finds are long-held family secrets and a lot of unresolved feelings. The setting of Calarosa, with its coastal vibes, really sets the mood for the book, which is full of grief, mystery, and self-discovery. Ruth’s journey of uncovering her mom’s past is slow but powerful, and the characters—especially her family—are messy and real. If you like stories about family drama, personal growth, and a little mystery, Salt Water is a great pick. It’s a bit of a slower read, but it is well written!

SALTWATER is a family drama turned murder mystery-thriller where all bets are off thanks to rich people behaving badly, betrayal and grudges.
Sarah Lingate disappeared, her body found below the cliffs of Capri, Italy in 1992. She was there vacationing with her husband Richard and his oil magnate parents-the Lingate’s. Her death was ruled accidental but was it really??
Thirty years later vacationing back on Capri, Sarah’s daughter Helen, along with the family assistant Lorna, plot an escape from the Lingate’s. The finding of her mother’s necklace (worn on the night she died) throws a wrench in her plans. Lorna disappears and her mother’s cold case is reopened. Everyone from that vacation in ‘92 is suspect including her controlling manipulative father.
Told with STELLAR TWISTS, red herrings, intriguing suspense, and an ensemble cast of the worst people you’ll ever NOT have to meet, thank goodness. This is a bit of a slow burn but didn’t bother me. And oh my gosh that ending was off-the-wall. I read in one sitting. 4.25 — Pub. 3/25/25
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!