Katy Hays delivers a twisty, atmospheric novel in Saltwater, a story filled with secrets, privilege, and unexpected turns. What starts as one thing quickly morphs into something entirely different, making for a gripping and unpredictable read.

The novel weaves together multiple points of view and timelines, which adds depth but can be tricky to follow. If you enjoy stories about rich people behaving badly, long-buried family secrets, and a setting dripping in sunshine and intrigue—in this case, the stunning island of Capri—this book delivers. The slow burn builds into a compelling mix of crime, mystery, and drama, culminating in a great ending that ties everything together.

A solid pick for fans of dark, twisty family dramas with a luxurious backdrop!

Quote: "Families can be like that. They infect the way you think about yourself. They refuse to make space. You mold yourself around them in ways that contort you, change you."

Thank you netgalley for the arc of saltwater in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the first book by Katy Hays so was looking forward to diving into this one, Katy is good with atmospheric details, She can set a scene that you can almost picture in your head. I was ready to jump On a plane to caprieven with all the mayhem occurring. This is a story about a complicated family who has a lot of secrets and lies. Money issues and trust issues, it has a happy ending for most, four stars

I loved this book. I love a good alternating timeline. The story gave hints of We Were Liars, which I also loved. Capri was such a character in this book; I could easily picture where things were happening. I looked up certain locations for an even better idea. My perspective of the other characters shifted often and I still don’t know if I really liked Helen. There was one storyline that didn’t feel tied up - maybe it just wasn’t explicitly stated and I was supposed to infer what happened but since it was a plot point discussed so frequently I expected a commentary on it.

In 1992, Sarah Wingate, an aspiring writer is found dead at her husband’s family estate on the Isle of Capri. In 2022,her 33 year old daughter, Helen, and her boyfriend, Freddy, return to the Isle to find out the truth about her mother’s death. After reading the second chapter, I realized I needed to make a family tree in order to keep the characters straight. They all seemed to have the same characteristics of wealthy, unprincipled,and selfish humans, who sleep with anyone at any time. The story bogs down with the main characters acting suspiciously when several unexplained deaths occur. As the reader tries to understand their motives, we are surprised by the duplicities, lies, and fiendish deeds they have gotten away with. The incredulous revelations in the last 50 pages defy the sensibilities of the reader

I hope the author will reach the high standard of THE CLOISTERS with her next endeavor.

Saltwater is a slow burn-family drama-mystery for fans of rich people behaving poorly!

In 1992, Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of cliffs in Capri. Her death is ruled unsuspicious, but many people believe the wealthy Lingates had something to do with it.

Helen, Sarah's daughter who was three at the time of her death, now returns with the Lingates every summar to Capri. After she teams up with Lorna, a family assistant, hoping to get themselves away from the family, Lorna goes missing. Helen must figure out what happened to Lorna to keep herself safe.

This was a fun popcorn thriller with all the shady wealthy people vibes!

Saltwater tells the story of the fictitious Lingate clan. A family rich in wealth, it also has its fair share of dark secrets.

In 1992 Sarah Lingate is found dead in Capri. Her death suspicious, it’s still ruled as accidental. In the aftermath Sara leaves behind a young daughter named Helen. Somewhat inexplicably, the family returns to the scene of the crime each year.

But on the thirtieth anniversary of Sarah’s death, the annual trip takes a twisty turn. The family returns to the villa only to find the necklace that Sarah was wearing the night she went missing. Where did it come from and what does it mean?

As the reader begins to piece together what happened to Sarah, the family’s assistant and Helen’s friend, Lorna, goes missing. What happened to Lorna and is it connected to the mystery that occurred all those years ago?

Saltwater is a slow burn novel with an even slower pace. Told through the rotating viewpoints of Sarah, Helen, and Lorna, respectively, I didn’t find any of the women particularly engaging or even likable. While I love a good family drama rooted in the trappings of wealth and power, Saltwater unfortunately left this reader feeling adrift at sea.

Helen and her family return every year to the island of Capri, where her mother, Sarah, died thirty years before. Her father was suspected in her mother's death, but ultimately it had been ruled a suicide. The wealthy family are very close knit, and are clearly hiding plenty of secrets. Helen feels stifled by their power and control.

This year, Helen and her friend Lorna plan on leaving. But when the necklace that Sarah was wearing the night of her death is mailed to the villa, the old case is reopened and the family comes under suspicion again.

The story is told through the dual timelines of thirty years ago, when Sarah died, and the current day. We hear from several of the main players, from Helen, Lorna, Sarah, Richard (Helen's father), Marcus (her father's brother) and Naomi (Marcus's wife). This gets a little confusing at times, trying to remember who is 'speaking'.

There are quite a few minor characters to keep track of too, and some great plot twists. I thought I knew who had killed Sarah several times, and was wrong every time. I enjoyed the way the truth was revealed.

The novel has a very lush feel, with the wonderful backdrop of Capri with it's fantastic scenery and dangerous cliffs, and the rich and famous people that summer on the island.

An enjoyable read.

The Cloisters by this author was a 5⭐️ read for me, so I can’t help but feel a little disappointed by this book. There is nothing wrong with it at all, but it felt very rub of the mill for the genre. Until the end, that is.

We follow a wealthy family, of course, as they take their yearly family trip to Capri. There obviously are some secrets tied to this place for the family, and this trip will unravel all of them.

The pace felt glacial for me at the start, with it finally picking up steam at the 2/3 mark. The ending really did surprise me and I did not guess how everything would be revealed. The ending saved this from being a 2 star. I will keep picking up this author’s releases for now, and hope her next resonates with me like The Cloisters did.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In 1992 Sarah Lingate was found dead below the cliffs of Capri. She left behind her three year old daughter, Helen and husband. Her death was determined to be an accident even though most people think her in-laws and/or husband, the Lingates are involved and their old money in shielding them. This book kept me reading on and wanting to know the truth, though it did seem to be very prolonged. The cover is very pretty and drew me in. Katy Hays seemed to truly capture summer in Capri. The characters were well drawn out, some not so likable. It is a perfect mystery thriller filled with family drama. A perfect beach read. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and felt like I was there! I read it in one day! I would definitely recommend this book. I loved all the characters and the storyline.

The wealthy Lingate family has been surrounded by suspicion for the past 30 years, since the death of Sarah Lingate on the cliffs of the Island of Capri, but despite the public opinion, every year the family returns for their annual holiday. Longing for answers about her mothers death, Helen attempts to balance the expectations of her controlling family and the curiosity of her own to know the truth about her mothers life and death. Saltwater is a very complicated family saga with themes of power, status, and deeply buried family secrets. While there were aspects of this book I found difficult to keep track of, I really did enjoy this deeply disturbing look into the very flawed Lingate family, and the depths some will go to maintain family secrets. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

The introduction to the Lingates, an old money family, and their history is engaging. However, the book feels overstuffed with characters and secrets on top of secrets, affecting the flow of the storyline. Lorna's storyline (the mysterious family assistant) is not as engaging as the family's, and she's a difficult character to root for. "Saltwater" starts strong but begins to drag towards the middle of the book. The slow pace continues until a surprising ending filled with twists. Overall, the story is intriguing but requires a lot of patience to power through the slow middle section of the novel.

Katy Hays’ Saltwater is a dark, atmospheric thriller that masterfully combines psychological tension with the unraveling of a decades-old mystery. Set against the stunning yet ominous backdrop of Capri’s cliffs and sea, the novel immerses readers in a story of long-buried secrets, familial dysfunction, and the chilling ways the past refuses to stay buried.

The novel centers on Helen Lingate, whose life has been overshadowed by the mysterious death of her mother, Sarah, thirty years ago. Returning to Capri with her controlling and fractured family, Helen discovers that the secrets surrounding that fateful night are closer to the surface than ever. The reappearance of Sarah’s necklace sets off a cascade of revelations and dangers, culminating in a deadly confrontation.

Hays deftly captures the oppressive atmosphere of the Lingate family, portraying them as both glamorous and deeply flawed. Helen’s father, Richard, embodies control and paranoia, while her aunt Naomi’s tenuous grasp on reality adds a sense of unpredictability. The supporting characters, including Helen’s enigmatic ally Lorna Moreno, are richly drawn and complex, with shifting allegiances that keep the reader guessing.

The plot unfolds with a steady buildup of tension, alternating between the present-day investigation and flashbacks to the events leading up to Sarah’s death. This dual narrative structure allows Hays to peel back the layers of the Lingate family’s history, revealing secrets and betrayals that deepen the story’s intrigue. The island of Capri, with its stark beauty and isolation, becomes almost a character in itself, amplifying the sense of foreboding and danger.

Helen is a compelling protagonist, caught between the suffocating grip of her family and her desire for freedom and truth. Her determination to break free, coupled with her vulnerability, makes her a character readers will root for. The tension between her and the rest of the Lingates is palpable, heightening the stakes as the truth about Sarah’s death edges closer to the surface.

The pacing is deliberate but gripping, with each revelation bringing new twists that keep the reader hooked. Hays explores themes of power, loyalty, and identity with nuance, crafting a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is suspenseful. The final act delivers a shocking yet satisfying resolution, cementing Saltwater as a standout in the psychological thriller genre.

Saltwater will appeal to fans of atmospheric, character-driven mysteries like those by Ruth Ware and Tana French. With its evocative setting, deeply flawed characters, and a mystery that lingers long after the final page, this novel is a must-read for those who love stories that delve into the dark corners of family and memory.

2.75 stars. I absolutely love Capri and was attracted to the setting and plot of this book, but ultimately it didn't live up to the hype for me. I felt the switching perspectives and timelines were hard to follow and there wasn't enough suspense to keep me really invested. I think Saltwater will work for many, but it isn't a book that will be memorable for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the advanced copy. Saltwater is available on March 25, 2025.

Katy Hays’ Saltwater is an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller set against the stunning yet ominous backdrop of Capri. With echoes of classic gothic mysteries, the novel weaves together long-buried secrets, family betrayals, and a lingering sense of danger that keeps readers hooked until the very last page.

The story centers around Helen Lingate, who returns to the island for the thirtieth anniversary of her mother Sarah’s death. Officially ruled an accident, Sarah’s fall from a cliff has always been the subject of speculation, with whispers among locals and those who knew her suggesting a darker truth. Helen, whose father has always remained silent about her mother, is desperate to understand who Sarah really was. Her quest for answers is further complicated when Marcus Lingate, the powerful head of the wealthy California family, brings along his assistant Lorna—only for Lorna to vanish and be found dead in eerily similar circumstances to Sarah.

Determined to uncover the truth, Helen enlists the help of a childhood acquaintance, the son of the longtime caretaker of the estate. As she digs deeper, she unearths layers of deception, long-held grudges, and shocking revelations that call into question everything she thought she knew about her family.

Hays crafts an immersive setting, making Capri feel both intoxicatingly beautiful and perilously claustrophobic. The novel’s pacing is taut, filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, even as some of the developments may feel a bit predictable to seasoned thriller readers. However, the strength of Saltwater lies in its intricate character dynamics, particularly the dysfunctional, powerful Lingate family and the way their past haunts their present.

Overall, Saltwater is a compelling read, perfect for fans of slow-burning psychological thrillers. The blend of family drama, mystery, and an evocative setting makes it a gripping, atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katy Hays, and Ballentine for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I really loved the gorgeous Italian island setting of this book, and the mystery along the way. I thought it was well-done how you questioned literally everyone and everyone made questionable choices--well, some people made objectively horrifying choices, but even the "good" people weren't perfect. Everyone was enmeshed in this old, rich family's drama and no one left with clean hands. I found at least one of the twists downright unbelievable, but I was willing to forgive it and I liked the ending overall. In the end, I found it an enjoyable read.

The story was good! i loved the suspense, i did find that this was hard to get through, but i kept on.

4 solid stars for a twisty mystery, set on the island of Capri, Italy. For those of you who like surprises, there is a major one at the end. The blurb sets the scene:
" 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."
Helen is now 33 and with the help of her friend Lorna, she is determined to find out what happened when her mother died. The book goes back and forth between 1992 and the present day.
Each chapter in the book has one of several narrators:
Helen
Lorna
Sarah
Naomi, married to Marcus. Marcus is the brother to Helen's father Richard.
Helen does solve the mystery. From the beginning of the book, the reader gets the sense that there are secrets that will be revealed. I recommend this book to mystery fans.
One quote by Lorna upon arriving on Capri: "I've spent two months preparing for this trip, but I couldn't have prepared for the way the island smells-of figs-or the way the light kisses the agaves and the pines. I couldn't have prepared for the scene-the jewelry, how everyone wears their fabric draped loosely but has insisted their plastic surgeon pull their skin tight, the personal security that follows at a safe distance."
Thank You Kathleen Quinlan at Random House Publishing Group for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#Saltwater #NetGalley.

Pub Date Mar 25 2025

What a fun, immersive thriller. The perfect escapist read that kept me entertained while feeling original and like it had something to say.

Saltwater started off strong then definitely dragged for me in the middle. I loved the introduction to this old money family, the history of their vacations of the isle of Capri, and the modern day evolution of the family’s next generation. I liked the vagueness of Lorna, the family assistant, and her background. She felt mysterious and intriguing, but then - IMO - her storyline completely fell off and I felt disappointed. And that’s when the whole book started dragging. Then the ending was FULL of twists and turns and I was genuinely surprised. But I’m not sure if that slow middle was worth the wait. I feel like this story needed to be reigned in. There were maybe too many characters and too many secrets. It didn’t flow well.
This is my first book by this author and her other book did interest me, so I will pick it up because I liked her character development and the atmosphere and scenery she painted and I assume another book by her would also be enjoyable.
Saltwater is good and intriguing, but just buckle in for some slow-burning in the middle.