SALTWATER by Katy Hays

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC ebook

In 1992 the wealthy Lingate family is vacationing in beautiful Capri, when playwright, Sarah Lingate, is found dead below the cliffs. Sarah leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, Helen. Many believe the Lingate family is responsible even though her death is ruled accidental. The Lingate’s continue to vacation every year in Capri and on the thirtieth anniversary of Sara’s death in Capri, Helen, who is now thirty, along with the family assistant, Lorna, hatch a plan for Helen to escape her controlling family. A necklace that Sarah was wearing the night she died, suddenly appears at the manor where all are staying. Things quickly go sideways when Lorna disappears…
What is happening? Who is Lorna really? Where is Lorna? What really happened to Sarah all these years ago? So many questions, so many secrets.

I enjoyed this sophomore book by Katy Hays, as well as, her first book, The Cloisters. I liked the writing style and all the secrets each character harbors. The story was compelling and I enjoyed the twists throughout. I look forward to what Katy Hays does next. Saltwater will be available to read on March 25, 2025.

From New York Times bestselling author Katy Hays comes an electrifying new thriller that promises to captivate readers with its blend of family drama, mystery, and Mediterranean intrigue. The story unfolds on the stunning island of Capri, where the glittering surface of wealth and privilege masks darker undercurrents. At its heart, the novel revolves around a decades-old crime that resurfaces to shatter an opulent family retreat. The narrative begins in 1992 with the death of Sarah Lingate, found beneath the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind a three-year-old daughter named Helen. Despite suspicions surrounding the old-money family, the truth remained elusive. The story is told through three perspectives, with Helen, now 33, playing a central role as she grapples with family dynamics and a desire for escape. As the past and present intertwine, the novel promises to explore the intricate web of family secrets, grudges, and the deceptive nature of appearances. Hays showcases her talent for atmospheric storytelling, with a story drenched in family drama sun on the cliffs of Capri. The novel combines elements of a classic thriller with sophisticated exploration of family dynamics, wealth, and the long shadow of past crimes. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Saltwater was a truly gripping, atmospheric book that really dives into grief and memories that tie us to the past. This was a fun twisty thriller that just when you felt like you knew where the story was going the author would reveal yet another twist that kept you guessing. The journey that it takes you on to unveil is a wild ride and felt like it progressed at a decent pace. This had everything I love in a thriller.. murder, betrayal, and plenty of secrets that didn’t want to be outed. I would say that this was more character driven more so then the actual thriller part of it.

This novel features legendary wealth, rich people misbehaving, and a murder investigation in a gorgeous vacation setting after a young woman drowns. This incident is a stark reminder of another tragedy that took place back in 1992, Years ago, a member of the Lingate family, was found dead under suspicious circumstances below the cliffs of Capri. This young mother's death still haunts her brood both in the press and in private. Helen, still mourning the loss of her mother, wants to shake off the restrictive shackles that come from being in a clan with a position of prominence. Her plan to get away is now undergoing an autopsy.

I have never envied the rich or famous . . . being on display and ogled by the public doesn’t seem appealing at all. It’s one thing to be born into a situation, but I can’t imagine walking into oppression eyes open. Is maintaining a life of luxury worth losing your entire sense of self?

Get ready for some unlikable characters, a few twists and turns in the plot, shocking family secrets, and a poor little rich girl.

I recommend this book for fans of opulent lifestyles, celebrity gossip, and family drama,

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Saltwater for my unbiased evaluation.  3.5 stars

I enjoyed Katy Hays’ debut novel, The Cloisters, so I was curious to read her sophomore effort. Saltwater was a different sort of book - a family drama with a touch of murder mystery. It took me a while to become engaged with the story. The plot focuses on how the wealthy can get away with things the rest of us can’t. And how they also close ranks against the world, even when they hate each other. It felt soap opera-ish. Think Dallas or Dynasty. Do these people drink anything other than champagne?
It’s got a beautiful setting - the island of Capri where the family comes every summer to vacation. But why do they keep coming back? Because thirty years ago, one of them died on the island.
But slowly, the characters, especially Helen, drew me in. Helen feels trapped by the family, unable to live her own life. She concocts a plan with her uncle’s assistant to steal enough money so that both of them can escape their lives.
The story flips between multiple POVs and between the past and present.
The story focuses on envy, anger and hurt. Hays does best when she focuses on the commonality of us all. “Marriages gather a momentum of their own, they tumble forward over obstacles and past off-ramps with an alarming speed, until suddenly, years later, all the exits were behind you.”
What starts as a slow burn picks up speed in the middle and I really enjoyed this part of the book. Hays throws a lot of plot twists into the ending. And I was enjoying each and every one of them. Right up until the next to last one which was just too unbelievable and unnecessary and the last one which was just unbelievable, if necessary to tie up a loose end. Now, some may be ok with these implausible plot twists. But I think the mark of a good writer is to come up with twists that the reader can actually envision happening.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for an advance copy of this book.

Salt Water is a gripping thriller drenched in dark family drama. Set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, Italy, the story begins in 1992 with the tragic death of Sarah Lingate, found below the cliffs. Her death, though ruled an accident, leaves behind a cloud of suspicion and a three-year-old daughter, Helen. Fast forward thirty years and the family continues to return to Capri. This time, they receive an unexpected package containing the necklace Sarah wore on the night she died. Over the years, Helen has been kept under the family's strict control, with little to no freedom. In the present, she seeks the help of Lorna Moreno to break free from her family's oppressive grip.

The family is depicted as controlling and entitled, adding layers of tension to the narrative. The descriptions of Capri are beautiful, making it hard not to be captivated by the book's romantic setting. The story alternates between past and present, revealing twists and turns that kept me guessing about who I could trust.

Salt Water is a compelling read that expertly intertwines mystery and family dynamics, all set against a picturesque yet haunting landscape.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

A classic mystery, an Italian setting, various POV. This was a good read. I enjoyed the pacing and the various timelines I didn’t find it hard to follow.

Katy Hays has delivered a fun mystery set during a week in July on sun-drenched Capri. Full of mostly unlikable characters all out for themselves, just when you think you have figured out "who dun it," more murders and secrets come to the forefront to keep you guessing. With solid writing and a beautiful setting, Hays has another hot on her hands. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for the proteinuria to read this twisty eArc! 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first Kat Hays novel. The story follows past and present of the wealthy Lingate family as they are on their annual trip to Capri. Helen 's mother's death from 30 years ago remains unsolved. She starts to dig into the past with a friend who happens to work for her uncle. She wants to know more about her mother since Helen was 3 at the time of her death.. The family's history seems to be a tangled mess and no one will talk. I found the story line very unpredictable. and captivated me from start to finish. Thank you #Netgalley and #penguinrandomhouse for an advanced copy of #Saltwater in exchange for a honest review..

Rich people are just so fun to read about, they’re larger than life in the best way.

The book was super twisty and the ending was a little insane but at the same time it felt a little boring. I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style itself, it felt a bit disjointed.

The plot was so much fun and I would highly recommend reading this book in the summer, especially if you’re on vacation. The vibes were on point and would be perfect for July.

So if Saltwater sounds interesting to you I would recommend waiting till the summer to read it. (It’s releasing March 25th)

"Don't be late for cocktail hour!"
Saltwater by Katy Hays is a dark and twisted mystery of the lives of the rich and privileged.
Sarah Lingate is mysteriously killed on the island of Capri while visiting with her husband and brother in law, leaving her young daughter Helen motherless and puzzled. For 30 years the family returns every year to the island to reflect on her death. On the most recent visit a package arrives addressed to Helen, opening up the 30 year old conundrum.
What follows is a twisty novel full of secrets, lies, betrayals, and family drama that will have you astonished and guessing until the final pages!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

**Features:**
- Rich people behaving badly
- ‘What really happened’ mystery and trying to solve a character’s disappearance
- Complicated family relationships and a family member feels ‘trapped’ by family expectations and manipulation
- Set in Capri

**Synopsis:**

Money is a cage Helen Lingate is all too familiar with. In addition to being one of the richest families in the world, the Lingates are still haunted by the death of Helen’s mother, Sarah Lingate, when Helen was only three. Though ruled either an accident or suicide, many believe that the Lingates themselves had something to do with it and had used their money to cover it up. Now an adult, Helen is still kept close to the rest of the family not just for protection, but for control. Desperate to escape, Helen enlists the help of family assistant Lorna Moreno and the two hatch a plan while the family makes their annual trip to Capri. However, things quickly go sideways when Lorna disappears and the necklace Sarah wore on the night of her death thirty years prior appears at the manor door. Who is Lorna really? Where did she go? What happened to Sarah all those years ago?

**Thoughts:**

This is a fantastic blend of family drama and mystery. It takes a while for the book to set itself up and there are a lot of moving pieces from the very beginning. However, once the pieces are on the board, things really pick up. Everyone in this book is working for their own interests and there are no truly ‘good’ characters to be found. My allegiances were constantly shifting as the story digs further and further into the different family members. The story is told from multiple perspectives and jumps back and forth in time. Helen is the first perspective we get and I find her voice a bit repetitive and scattered. Where it made it hard for me to understand what was happening initially, it becomes clear through the other perspectives that this narrative style fits Helen’s character and is not indicative of the writing as a whole. The other voices we see throughout are equally unique and I was really fascinated with all of these characters even if they weren’t ‘likeable’.

Though I liked the mystery aspects of this book, I was definitely in it more for the family drama. The overall plot has its twists and unfolds in an intriguing way, but I also wouldn’t say that there is anything I found mind blowing. Discovering everyone’s skeletons in the closet and seeing how that shifted both my own view of the characters and their dynamics as a group was what really had me invested. Capri makes for a brilliant backdrop as well and I loved feeling the ‘luxury’ of this location as I watched the drama unfold. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to readers who like messy characters, family drama, and rich people behaving badly.

Katy Hays’ second novel, Saltwater, is a captivating blend of mystery, drama, and suspense, set against the stunning backdrop of Capri. The perfect summer/beach read. As a first-time reader of Hays’ work, I was thoroughly impressed by her storytelling and writing skill. From the very first page, this book held my attention, and at one point, I simply couldn’t put it down.

The setting of the novel is a character in itself. Capri’s breathtaking landscape, paired with an undercurrent of secrecy and wealth, instantly calls to mind the atmosphere of The White Lotus, making the story all the more immersive. Hays’ rich descriptions will undoubtedly leave readers yearning for a vacation to the Italian island.

At the heart of the plot is the Lingate family, an affluent and enigmatic clan fiercely protective of their privacy. In the early 1990s, Sarah Lingate tragically fell to her death from a cliff in Capri. Though the family was cleared of any wrongdoing, lingering suspicions still surround her death. Every year, the Lingates return to Capri, preserving their traditions—and their mysteries.

The story takes a turn with Lorna, the assistant to Marcus Lingate, Sarah’s brother-in-law. Lorna befriends Sarah’s daughter, Helen, now 33, and together they devise a plan to uncover the truth behind Sarah’s death. But when Lorna suddenly disappears, their mission is thrown into disarray, adding even more intrigue to the unfolding events. The twists and turns that follow are shocking, with revelations that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final pages.

The characters in Saltwater are a fascinating blend of morally complex individuals—a cast of personalities you’ll either love to hate or hate to love. Their intricate relationships and hidden motivations add layers of depth to the plot, making the twists even more impactful.

Hays’ ability to craft a suspenseful, character-driven story is impressive, and the conclusion delivers one surprise after another, ensuring a rewarding and thought-provoking read. For fans of thrillers and family dramas, Saltwater is an exceptional novel. With this book, Katy Hays has proven herself to be an author to watch. Highly recommended

Saltwater began at a slow pace then midway the pace picked up which made the book more enjoyable. I loved the messed up family dynamics and the ending was great. Overall. a satisfying read.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital arc.

The book jumps between past and present as well as the narrator. I did not have a hard time following along. The character development built as we learned more about everyone.

It was a slightly slow start for me but once I got to know everyone I was hooked. I really enjoyed the setting in Capri.

The newspaper articles were tough to read not being able to enlarge the print.

The Lingate family are old money rich. Every summer they have been reliving the death of Sarah when they return to the island of Capri. While Sarah’s death was rules an accident everyone has their theories and secrets. As the thirtieth anniversary of her death approaches her daughter Grace receives the necklace she was wearing the night she died. Everyone is haunted by the past but Grace wants to figure out what really happened to her mother.

I will update with my social media post closer to release.

Salt Water started slow but was an overall worthy read. It felt a little like the TV show Succession which I thoroughly enjoyed. I think a lot of people will really enjoy it, basically a mystery where the main characters mom disappeared years ago. Now she is back in Capri and someone else disappears. Most of the folks in the novel are unlikable and I had a hard time rooting for any of them but perhaps that was the flavor the author was going for. I'd like for it to have moved along a little faster but overall it was a pleasant enough read.

This is a great summer beachy type of read that will be enjoyed by so many. There's lots of family dysfunction and melodrama going on in this mystery novel. It's all about rich people behaving badly and dark family secrets.

Saltwater is to be published at the end of March, 2025. Be sure to order your copy in advance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Saltwater by Katy Hays, we meet the Lingate family. The family is wealthy, extremely private and circles the wagons whenever there is any type of family problem or gossip. Helen Is the daughter of Sarah and Ricard Lingate. Helen is a young girl when her mother goes missing and is eventually found dead. Family is all she has known. She is kept on a tight rein by her family and has little freedom. As an adult, begins to resent her almost “captivity” by her family. Helen begins to question all she has learned from her family about her mother’s death. Then she meets Lorna. Together they hatch a plot to expose her family and give Helen the freedom she desires. The story takes many twists and turns and keeps you guessing till the very end, which is just great. Enjoyed this book very much.

In 1992, Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of the cliffs of Capri. It was ruled an accident at the time. However, her daughter Helen has other thoughts on the matter.
Thirty years later, the family is gathered together in Capri, and Helen is determined to find out the truth behind her mother's untimely death.

There's sun, sand, and scandal. In short, this is a fun beach read!
Best categorized as a family drama, the Lingate family is the Real Housewives on steroids. There's fights. There's betrayal. And you'll find yourself hating all these characters but completely incapable of looking away from the car wreck.

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

pretty fun! the writing style didn't work for me all the time - it felt constantly melodramatic, and I wanted a little more lightness and reprieve from the drama - but that may be more of a personal preference than a real critique. compelling mystery, beautiful setting, kept me reading.