'In 1992 Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen.'

Saltwater was my first by Hays and it didn't exactly grip me or blow my hair back, what with the slow burn and the time it took for me to finally become invested. However, the writing was lovely and I've always been fond of multiple POV's and alternating timelines and a worthy twist.
I look forward to reading her future work.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books & NetGalley for this arc!

Pub date: 3.25.25

This was a satisfying mystery. I loved the setting; it made me want to go to Italy immediately. The author did a wonderful job of crafting characters with many layers and secrets.
I was able to guess a few of the twists, but I thought the story was set up very well. The Lingates are powerful and formidable, but they are also flawed and weak. Helen was an interesting character in that I did not always understand why she made the choices she did. I also enjoyed Lorna's perspective. Money makes people do crazy things.
Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

**Review of *Saltwater* by Katy Hays**

*Katy Hays’ *Saltwater* is an enthralling and atmospheric thriller that masterfully intertwines family secrets, long-buried mysteries, and the haunting beauty of Capri. Set against the backdrop of a tragic death thirty years prior, Hays crafts a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story centers around Helen Lingate, who, after a lifetime of overshadowing family trauma and suspicion surrounding her mother Sarah's death, finds herself confronting her family's dark legacy. The return of the Lingate family to their villa on the anniversary of Sarah's death brings not only the return of painful memories but also the shocking discovery of the necklace Sarah was wearing that fateful night. Hays expertly builds tension as Helen enlists the help of Lorna, the family assistant, to navigate the intricate web of deceit and paranoia within her family.

Hays’ writing is rich and evocative, perfectly capturing the allure and peril of the island setting. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own complexities and motives that add depth to the unfolding mystery. The exploration of family dynamics—particularly the power struggles and hidden resentments—adds an emotional layer that elevates the story beyond a mere thriller.

As secrets begin to unravel and tensions escalate, the plot twists are both surprising and satisfying, leaving readers eager to piece together the puzzle alongside Helen. The interplay between past and present is beautifully executed, allowing the haunting memories of that tragic night to inform the present-day narrative.

Overall, *Saltwater* is a captivating read that combines a gripping mystery with a poignant exploration of family and identity. Katy Hays has created a compelling page-turner that will resonate with fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction alike. This novel is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that is both thrilling and deeply immersive. You won’t want to put it down!

This has dueling timelines which I always find a little tricky to keep track of in my brain, but this was done really well!
The first third of the book was a little slow, but the last third was wild! Twist after twist!

The main characters were a little unlikeable other than the protagonist, but I did like reading all of their points of view as the novel wore on.

Pros: surprising twists that kept you on your toes, quick read, neat setting

Cons: Rich people are horrible

B+/4⭐️

The novel bounces between the 1990s and current time, which did take me a moment to keep straight with the character but then I flew! So many secrets intertwined within this Lingate family. It definitely kept the pages turning as I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. Family drama galore which made the end a complete surprise!

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

The writing sucked me in right from the start and I was all in for this mystery/family drama/suspense novel set primarily in Capri. Most of the characters belong to an established wealthy family used to getting what they want at all costs. I liked the different perspectives and varied timeline.
Most importantly I did not predict the ending, which did not disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Opinion: Calling all thriller readers: you’re going to love this one.As the days get darker, you can definitely turn to this thrill ride set in Capri. You’ll almost want to be there but definitely not with this family. It gives sunny beaches, luxurious people and rich eat the rich vibes. It’s a fast read simply because you will want to know how it ends.

Summary: 30 years ago Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Capri. Sarah came from a wealthy family and left behind a three year old daughter, Helen.

The Lingate’s return to the island for their annual vacation. However, things are not as they seem and soon they will all learn the truth about what really happened to Sarah. Thank you @netgalley for THE ARC! Pub date: March 25, 2025. Put a reminder on your calendars for this one 🏖️

Beautiful setting on the island of Capri ✅
Mysterious death ✅
Lots of secrets✅
Shocking twists ✅
Rich people family drama ✅✅✅

This book takes place on the island of Capri following an excessively secretive family. The story plays out through multiple timelines and POVs. We have the mysterious death of Sarah, the wife of Richard Lingate from an “old money” family, in the 90s and her daughter, Helen in current day. The writing quality is great. The descriptions of Capri made me want to jump on a plane and go immediately. Secrets are slowly revealed throughout the book keeping me wanting more. Some were very predictable BUT I was not ready for that twist at the end. Very good.

My only negative is the way the timeline of the story is presented is confusing at times. Timelines change back forth from chapter to chapter and there’s flashbacks within the current day chapters. I would have preferred one or the other.

If you like the rich people family drama trope with unlikable characters, I think this book is a winner for you.

I didn't get terribly far - the beginning was so confusing. I finally had to write down the names of the characters and their relationships to each other. But even that didn't help move the story along. I know Hays put a lot of time into this novel and I had to be a negative reviewer - but it just wasn't for me. I think other people will find the complete opposite true.

This was a bit of a slow and confusing start with just some tidbits thrown at us before the story really begins to unravel. But when it does, it's like a runaway train.
I had a lot of thoughts about what the heck was going on and then by the end, my flabber was gasted. This was a great read.

Hays has developed their voice significantly. Masterfully examining the outsider in a new world, this differs from _The Cloisters_ in a good way. The drama is still there but the mystery just works better overall.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

This story was intriguing, but slow reading. The beginning was what brought down my review. It starts off very vague, and a bit confusing, with lots of characters and dribs and drabs of information. For some, this will be the hook that gets them into the story. For me, it made it slow. But, it did pick up and I enjoyed the mystery. Plus the island of Capri sounds gorgeous! I didn't love all the characters, but I suppose I wasn't meant to!
Overall, an interesting thriller with some nice twists.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

End at 15%. I’m bummed!! It sounded so good, the reviews are great! But I just couldn’t get hooked. It’s a very dry writing style that my brain just cannot latch onto. I didn’t find any character particularly interesting, I was looking for any reason to keep going and I just couldn’t find one.

I downloaded this and realized I already read it. Since I read it months ago my review will be from memory. I did note I gave it 3.5 stars on my StoryGraph account. I remember being intrigued by the mystery but the story got bogged down at points.

Wow this story! I loved it. Such intriguing characters with so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I haven’t read this author before but I want to read more!

In summer 1992, playwright Sarah Lingate falls to her death from a cliff on the island of Capri. Her family insists it was an accident, but they have been clouded in suspicion ever since. Thirty years later, after returning to the same villa every summer, her brother-in-law's assistant Lorna goes missing late one night. Sarah's daughter, Helen, is determined to find out what really happened to her mother and, now, Lorna. It read like a decent first draft that needed to be reined in and polished. It starts very slowly with a lot of vague details, which I imagine is meant to draw you in, but there wasn't enough information shared to really hook you. The main characters are various shades of terrible and lack depth. A couple of the twists are decent, but one is basically duplicated and seems totally implausible.

Who doesn't love a good mystery thriller read that happens on the beach? While I didn't read it during the summertime, I think this is a book that can be read at any time. The synopsis says who will leave the island alive or not alive and I hung onto that line for the duration of the book!
A great read I hope readers pick up in March.

3.5 stars

Saltwater had a great sense of atmosphere to it, being set on Capri and surrounded by the ancient Roman ruins. The story fills one of my favorite tropes - rich people behaving badly - and those two things are what made this most compelling for me. The mystery itself is a little unbelievable in the end, going more for shock value than reality.

just wasn't for me and was not a book I personally enjoyed. I know there will be other readers out there that this will fit their style a lot better.

This was a really fun read. Admittedly, the ending didn't quite work for me, but it was fast paced and I couldn't put it down for much of the book. Katy Hays is definitely an author I'll keep coming back to.