This thrilling drama draws you into the Lingate family and the secrets they have guarded across generations. The Lingates are the uber-rich, influential, elite Americans who descend upon Capri annually amongst speculation, envy and resentment. Lorna Moreno has been drawn into the secrets of the family as well. Intentionally insinuating herself into the life of Helen Lingate so she can find out what happened in 1992 when Helen’s mother, Sarah Lingate, was found drowned at the bottom of the cliffs of Capri. Now Lorna finds herself traveling to Capri and plotting with Helen to force confessions. Will this trip finally help Helen find out what really happened? The secrets begin to unwind but at the cost of another young life.

Intriguing and thrilling. A page turner that is worth reading.

You had me at Capri! :) This was a slow start for me, but when it picked up I could not put it down. This book follows the Lingate family (rich, yet quite the mess with a murder involved and a sketchy past) and told from the perspective for 3 different women. I loved the setting, the twists and characters. Really great book!

Excellent book with lots of twists. Highly recommend reading it. At first it did not hold my interest but it as I continued reading it was really good.

“Don’t you ever wonder,” Stan Markowitz said to me, “what really happened on that island?”

If you are looking for an atmospheric thriller, that will transport you somewhere else entirely, this is it. The events of Saltwater take place on the beautiful island of Capri, and the setting is so vividly described that you will feel like you are there. I could practically see the waves lapping against the cliffs along the Amalfi coast, could taste the negronis and the aperitifs on the cliffside patios, could feel the buttery Italian leather trimming the expensive sailboats and yachts…

”The place looks idyllic, but might be hell…”

Juxtaposed amidst all of that beauty and opulence, however, is the seedy underbelly of wealth: a family of millionaires who will do anything to keep their dark secrets; a long-dead mother whose death remains shrouded in mystery; and now a missing young woman.

“It’s so much easier to get away with it if you only do it once.”

The story was one twist after another, and there were so many possible suspects and lingering questions that kept me interested. It was an enjoyable book, with the way the double-mysteries slowly unfolded, but the final murder, and then the final twist (and then the epilogue, with the final-final twist) took things a bridge too far.

”It was always going to be one of us—all of us—that killed her.”

I found myself yelling out loud, “Are you KIDDING me?! You have GOT to be kidding me!” as the final chapters unfolded. A book that started out with the most lushly realistic setting ever, turned into one of the most ludicrous, not-at-all-believable endings I’ve ever read. So… go in expecting fiction. Other than that, it’s a fun read!

——

A huge thank you to Katy Hays, Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I found this book to be ok. I thought the plot seemed interesting. I also enjoyed the flip between past and present. I just felt like the story lacked any thrills or suspense. All the twists came at the end, but they felt out of nowhere.

This book was a decent read for me- a little slow in the beginning but then it picked up and I was eager to keep reading. I loved the ending!!

In "Saltwater," the plot centers on the enigmatic demise of Sarah Lingate, whose lifeless body was discovered at the base of the cliffs of Capri in 1992, leaving her three-year-old daughter, Helen, behind. Although there were suspicions regarding the affluent Lingate family, the circumstances surrounding Sarah's death were deemed accidental, resulting in years of family holidays at the same villa to perpetuate this narrative. On the thirtieth anniversary of her passing, the family stumbles upon the necklace Sarah was adorned with on the night of her death, which rekindles old conflicts and compels Helen to uncover the truth about her mother's fate. As she devises a plan to escape alongside Lorna, a family aide, the situation intensifies when Lorna mysteriously vanishes, compelling Helen to confront her family’s hidden truths and the unsettling realization that every individual present during Sarah's death may be implicated.

The novel skillfully intertwines familial drama with gripping suspense, portraying the Lingate family as affluent yet dysfunctional, ensnared in a labyrinth of deceit and betrayal. Hays vividly depicts the enchanting scenery of Capri, amplifying the narrative’s mood and tension. As Helen struggles with her burdensome familial connections, the intricate storyline unveils startling revelations that maintains the intrigue. The nuanced character interactions and the examination of themes such as affluence and trust contribute significant depth to this enthralling mystery thriller, rendering it an engrossing read for those in pursuit of suspense and drama amid the breathtaking landscape of the Italian island.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was so good! I love Italy so it was quite a treat to read a gripping and intriguing book set place in that beautiful country. The very last twist also was completely unexpected and caught me off guard. I loved this book!

I loved this extremely atmospheric story that includes unexplained deaths, family secrets, and rich people behaving very badly.
This is set on the island of Capri and it feels like you are there. The descriptions are so lush and beautiful. This is told from three different perspectives of women who are either part of the Lingate family or work for the family. I loved the multiple perspectives and layered narrative. We get different versions of how things happened and by the end, my jaw was hanging open. The twists and turn here were so well done that I never guessed them and that is my very favorite type of story.
I think this is going to be a very popular summer book in 2025 and I hope Hays continues to write these awesome books!

This one didn't pan out like I hoped and left me feeling a bit bored overall.
I think I wanted a faster paced. And while the twists and turns were interesting, I never really bought into the premise or the characters truly to care.
Eh...rich people behaving badly? Been there, done that. This book doesn't really add/say much we haven't read in the past but still a solid effort.

I really enjoyed this book, the settings, the well developed characters, the peek into the lifestyles of the old monied people, and how they live!! The twists and turns, in the kept me guessing! I was really shocked by the ending. This was a first time read for me with this Author, I am looking forward to reading more books her!

Katy Hays intriguing mystery set in fabulous Capri, had me guessing from the first page. I was so satisfied with all the twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Great characters, intricate details, perfectly evoked scenery , all result in a compelling read. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time getting into this book, was hoping for more suspense and a faster pace. I also have a hard time with the back and forth in time POVs. Would recommend to someone who loves a great mystery.

Having really enjoyed The Cloisters, I thought this would be a smashing good story. When in reality it's a bit boring. Has a feeling if deja vu.. like oh another rich family getting away with murder and everything in between.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

This novel presents an intriguing blend of mystery and dysfunctional family dynamics, appealing to readers who enjoy these themes. The writing is well-crafted, showcasing the author's thoughtful approach to storytelling. The characters are notably flawed, including the main narrators, which adds depth and complexity to their interactions. In particular, the character Lorna offers a captivating perspective that enhances the narrative.

The pacing of the story is relatively slow, which may not appeal to all readers; it felt more extended than its actual length. While the initial twists and reveals were somewhat predictable, they did remain satisfying and coherent within the context of the story. The later twists provided some surprise, though they bore a resemblance to one another, and the final twist, arriving just after a significant reveal, felt somewhat anticlimactic. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this!

This thriller was a provoking read with lost of questions that kept me wanting to read more. Who? Are they still around? Why now? I enjoyed the suspense built through the weaving of characters.

This book was a let down for me. An unwanted look into the lives of rich, spoiled, people who will do anything to get more wealth and status. The Italian background was interesting and well-drawn, but not enough to save this book. I do thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance and I wish I had enjoyed it more.

This novel offers an intriguing premise with a layered exploration of grief, identity, and the haunting impact of secrets. The narrative weaves together past and present with some clever moments of tension, and the setting is atmospheric, drawing the reader into a coastal town filled with both beauty and mystery. The characters are complex and their relationships evolve in interesting ways, but at times, the pacing slows, and some plot points feel a bit predictable. While the writing is evocative, there were moments when the story didn’t quite deliver on its early promise. Overall, it’s a solid read that will resonate with fans of character-driven fiction, though it may not leave everyone fully satisfied.

Thanks for the advance reader copy from Netgalley.

I had a bit of a struggle to get into this book because I didn't like the characters. I did enjoy the story line and the final reveal.

This is going to be long. I hope you find any of it useful.

I read The Cloisters a couple of years ago and it’s so interesting because although that is not my favorite type of plot, the book was one of my favorite books that year, and still is to this day. My copy rests on the bookshelf right next to my bed; that’s how highly it ranks. This 100% has to do with Katie Hays’ writing style. It absorbs you and does not allow you to look away. The Cloisters primarily held my attention because of how easy it was to live in the scenes surrounding the museum through her writing. Frankly, that MET location is one of my favorite museums and has even inspired one of my tattoos. Of course I was bound to love a book that aptly captures its mysticism.

In Saltwater, Katy Hays has done it again.

I was swimming a bit during the first few pages. There was an intentional obscurity that became extremely clear by the end. The present-to-past parallel play can be a lot to properly absorb.

Hays’ ability to depict the peculiar, almost grotesque, behaviors and mannerisms of the uber wealthy is magical. I’ve yet to encounter another author with this talent.

However, I struggled with this book for a few reasons:
- None of the characters had redeeming qualities. Everyone was so stuck in their miserable internal worlds that it felt like a headache to suffer through their internal musings in order to see the story through.
- The story became pretty convoluted. I really enjoyed the twists, but there are so many of them. While they make sense, it’s a bit overwhelming and I am almost left questioning ‘how could any of this happen in the same timeline? how is this reality real?’
- It is strange, the way that Ciro and Helen are essentially siblings…in a way. They didn’t grow up with this mindset, but ultimately they do call the same woman mama. There are a lot of underlying incestuous references that are just on the right side of taboo, but I think I’d enjoy them more if they were not as contingent to an underlying hate and inevitable betrayal that affects almost every character in the book.

Although everything is illuminated by the end of the book, I do feel that there remains a shrouding sense of mystery that prevents the reader from gaining full clarity. Freddy was a pawn for confusion — an agent of chaos. Naomi a wench who ultimately propelled the story forward, but was little more than a ghost. It was difficult to connect with these characters or feel that they held as much weight as they did in the story.

Overall, I liked the writing. Perhaps it could have been tighter and the story could have been slightly more lucid because I can see the case where people DNF because it requires more work to read than your typical mystery or thriller. It also doesn’t have that fun gothic element that made The Cloisters so enchanting. Rich people are pretty darn insufferable.