Ok this was a good one and am assuming it’ll be a BOTM pick etc etc for the summer. It’s white lotus rich people murdering each other while drinking champagne in Capri and so many juicy twists (that I actually didn’t see coming!) coming out TOMORROW 3/25 I suggest you pick it up!

First of all, let’s all take a moment to admire this cover. 🙌🏼


This book was fantastic. Overall, reading it was definitely an immersive experience: you could practically taste the sea air and smell the lemon trees. The characters were mostly deplorable in their own ways, but not so much that you viscerally hated them (or couldn’t finish reading). There were two mysteries from two separate timelines to unpack, which were of course related, so be ready to be able to jump between timelines here. My only gentle criticism is that the surprise twist at the end was a little far-fetched for me, but there were certainly concessions made that saved it from being truly implausible. The process of sorting through the clues of what happened in the past and present, as well as regularly changing suspects and savoring the build-up of tension in this book made it a really enjoyable read for me!


SYNOPSIS: Sarah Lingate’s body was found in 1992 at the base of the seaside cliffs in Capri, having left behind a young daughter, Helen. For thirty years, the Lingates have been returning to Capri to vacation and honor Sarah’s memory, and hopefully dispel any rumors among the locals that the old money Lingate family had anything to do with her death. Hungry for information about her mother and desperate to escape her family’s overwhelming control, Helen begins looking into what may have really happened on that fateful night. But family secrets are often ugly, and someone is willing to kill to keep them.

A rich people behaving badly story with the beautiful island of Capri as another character. The novel goes between three viewpoints: Sarah who is married to the wealthy Richard Lingate and longs to have a writing career, her daughter Helen thirty years later and Helen's friend Lorena who is also an assistant to Helen's uncle Marcus. The Lingates have old money and are secretive and don't allow the women in the family any type of freedom. The novel starts with the Lingates arriving to their annual vacation in Capri, it is also the 30th anniversary of the death of Sarah who was found at the bottom of the cliffs. Helen had never been told much about her mother and at age 33 she is longing for some freedom. Helen is watched by employees and cameras 24 hours a day and has never been allowed to finish college, travel by herself, find a job or do much of anything. She is in Capri with Freddie, a boyfriend who has been picked out for her by the Lingates.

Someone delivers a snake necklace to the family while they are in Capri and this necklace was worn by Sarah the last time she was seen. This starts off a storyline of Helen with Lorna's help in trying to find out what really happened to. her mother and what secrets are being kept. I didn't find any of the characters to be very interesting and I struggle with stories about women being held captive as Helen appeared to be. The other woman in the group is Naomi, married to Marcus and she spends her time in a haze of drugs and alcohol. i liked the descriptions of Capri and could almost smell the lemon trees, see the crystal clear waters and feel the gentle breezes. I did want more from the characters though as they all seem terribly miserable and seemed like they lived like they were in a much earlier time. The ending provides some twists, one of which was so outlandish I found it hard to believe. I think the book would have been better without that twist, but I did like the writing style and will read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a reiew.

If you like a slow build to a finish with a lot of twists and turns, this may be the book for you. During an annual trip to Capri, the Lingate family remembers Sarah Lingate who died on the island thirty years ago. Helen, her daughter who never really knew her and has spent her life on a short leash is determined to figure out what happened to her mother, and in the process, find independence. The narrative spends equal time in the past and the present in a style that keeps the reader turning the pages. Although the plot can be a bit complex at time, it's a fun quick read. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Very much a slow burn, which I wasn't expecting. I thought it would be more fast paced. The writing style was confusing. With multiple timelines + POVs, I had a hard time following at times. Rich people behaving badly with some twisty twists.

Saltwater is a mesmerizing blend of family drama, wealth, and long-buried secrets set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Capri. Katy Hays masterfully peels back the layers of the powerful Lingate family, exposing the dark truths lurking beneath their privileged lives. With atmospheric writing, gripping suspense, and a chilling mystery that refuses to stay buried, this novel is a must-read for fans of twisted family sagas and the sinister side of the rich and elite.  The twists came coming, audible-gasp-inducing read!

Thank you Katy Hays, Random House Ballentine, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

The Lingates take an annual vacation to Capri — despite the fact that Sarah Lingate, who was a playwright and had married into the Lingate family — was found dead on the cliffs below their villa in 1992. Her death remains part of the conversation, especially since, though it was determined to be an accident, everyone on the outside thinks someone in the family is guilty.

In present day Capri, the Lingates are just returning for their vacation, and Helen, Sarah's daughter who was 3 at the time of her death, receives a package — an anonymous gift ...the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died.

From the beginning, the narrative delivery, via alternating points of view from Helen and the family's assistant Lorna, set the stage for an intriguing family drama. However, the pacing is uneven, the clashing of the near-in-time POVs (both are timed from X number of hours before Lorna's disappearance and both are handed out in first person present tense) were overwrought and stretched too thin, and the addition of other points of view later on in the book couldn't avoid the waft of a gimmick.

However, despite the issues with the characters and delivery, I found the overall story compelling enough to keep going. From a bird's eye view, the old-money, bad vibes family had a lot of potential and the Mediterranean setting was equally promising. There also seemed to be a decent exploration of handling multiple layers within the framework of the plot, but Hays couldn't quite manage to maintain a balanced pacing or allow herself to flesh out the characters more. They seemed to exist for the sole purpose of this story; it was hard to even imagine them off this island, back in the real world.

This was a twisty-turny thriller that was giving succession and white lotus vibes with a smattering of Romulus vs. Remus tension. Everyone sucks (to some degree). You SHOULD be suspicious of everyone. Who did it. Why did they do it. It’s rich people being deplorable… but make it caprese ✨

Helen’s mother died under suspicious circumstances 30 years ago. She plans to find out exactly what happened. Oh the spoil of secrets and lies she unravels along the way… this would be a great book club pick!

Really grateful for the opportunity to read #saltwater thanks to #netgalley and #ballantine #bookclub

This book was CRAZY!!!!! Family Drama, a ton of secrets, murder, and greed ALL OVER THIS. The Lingate family go to Capri every year on the anniversary of the death of Helen’s mom Sarah?? This was wild. I knew I was going to end up liking this very out of place, and strange family. Helen has lived all of her life sheltered and by sheltered I mean, she has NO FRIENDS, until she meets Lorna who is her uncles assistant and they are both plotting an escape from the family. Lorna wants to escape with financial freedom and Helen as well but she just wants OUT. We get some back story on Sarah her mother and this Lingate family that I DISLIKE so much.

I will say this even though everything about this book surprised me all the way til the end, I felt like it dragged and a ton of things that were happening could’ve been rushed through. And of course in stories like this we get everything rushed at the end and I actually liked how this book ended. Helen surprised me which made me like her even more. But I mean the DRAMA and the secrets that were revealed was at times TOO MUCH, but at the same time I loved it. I will for sure want this book to be read by everyone I know.

The powerful Lingate family has been vacationing in Capri for years despite the fact that Helen's Mom died tragically and mysteriously there 30 years ago. Did she slip off the cliff, commit suicide or was she pushed? Helen has been an only child and kept on a short leash by her Dad because of financial support but also because of the reputation of the family leaving her feeling restless and smothered. When they arrive on the anniversary of her Mom's death with her Dad, Aunt, Uncle and her Dad's assistant who is her best and only friend, a necklace that disappeared when her Mom fell from the cliff arrives via mail. Helen wants answers to what happened and why her family has been keeping secrets from her when another tragic death occurs. Just when you think you know the people closest to you......think again! This family drama has so many plot twists and was action packed from the beginning all the way to the shocking ending!

Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Saltwater is beautifully written mystery that I loved being immersed in every time I picked it up to read. The scenery, set on the magical yet eerie island of Capri in Italy was the perfect backdrop and described with such detail that I felt like I was a part of the rich and famous on the island with the Lingates. Lots of twists and turns, multiple POVs, and changes in the timeline made this book addictive and I found myself racing to the end to finish.

However, I predicted the ending from the very beginning, and I would say I'm not typically one who can guess the twists, so for me to see it a mile away, I'm sure others may find it predictable as well. If I hadn't predicted the ending, I would have been extremely shocked, because the ending really was that good, and it would have been a 5 star read for me.

I truly loved all the messages about money, family, and marriage, and have many new favorite quotes from the book. (Which I will add to my review on Goodreads once the book is published.)

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an Advance Reader's Copy of Saltwater to review.

Set on the iconic Italian Isle of Capri, Saltwater is an intense, twisty mystery full of dark turns and subterfuge. Told in two timelines, 1992 and present, the story is equal parts family drama and deadly thriller.
The uber-wealthy Lingate family’s tradition is to vacation at a villa on Capri for a week each summer. Thirty years after Sara Lingate’s body was found broken at the bottom of the cliffs, her daughter Helen is back in Capri for the week of summer fun with her father, uncle, aunt and various wealthy friends. Family assistant Lorna goes missing, and the Carabinieri investigate her disappearance as well as reopen the Lingate cold case after new evidence is discovered.
I enjoyed the family dynamics and the deeply flawed individuals, wealthy or not, that played parts in this drama. There are plenty of twists to enjoy and ponder, and the final revelation leads to a satisfying multi-character conclusion.
The author’s witty style employs rich descriptive prose and unique evocative turns of phrase, such as “Together they ate the city,” and “They always want a refund. Rich people love a f*****g refund.” There are recurrent contrasts between the ultra-rich and famous who “play” on Capri and the working class locals, as the wealthy are presented as careless with goods, and with people. Having visited Capri, I could appreciate how the author captured the beauty, the atmosphere and the allure of the island.
There is a pervasive sense of tragedy throughout the story, and classic themes of family dysfunction, obsession, love and betrayal.
Escape to the historic, mysterious Isle of Capri and immerse yourself in this dark mystery!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, Italy, “Saltwater” revolves around a decades-old mystery, boasting an intriguing premise with plenty of family drama thrown into the mix. Told in multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, I found parts of this story to be difficult to follow. Despite the suspense element at hand, overall, the story was rather slow, confusing, and predictable. So, what should have been a really great, engaging story ended up being one that I’d classify as simply okay.

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House for the ARC of 'Saltwater' in exchange for an honest review
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Nothing like a relaxing sundrenched summer on the island of Capri with the filthy rich, ultra-entitled Lingate family. This sybaritic, sociopathic clan are swimming in old money as well the sparkling waters around their yearly vacation playground. Welcome to Lifestyles Of The Rich and Famously Creepy., littered with a walk-in closet size of family skeletons and at least one dead body.

The body in question - Sarah Lingate, the brilliant, award winning playwright and late wife of Robert Lingate, who oversees the Lingate empire with his older brother Marcus. In 1992, Sarah's career and life ended on one of those rocky beaches beneath the Capri cliffs. The so called 'accidental' death left the surviving Lingates forever tainted with suspicions and unanswered questions. And the tragedy's left Sarah's infant daughter Helen to be raised in the iron grip of her imperious, dictatorial family.

Thirty years later, Helen's grown into a 33 year old woman who feels desperately trapped, her life forever controlled by her domineering father and uncle. (Much the same way her mother felt prior to her death.) And now the family's rocked by the deliberate reappearance of Sarah's long missing gold necklace, sent to the Lingates by a person or persons unknown.


At that point, the book's off and running with a staggering amount of plot machinations, twist after twist and tantalizing flashbacks to 1992 that slowly begin to connect the pieces to this vast puzzle. The mysteries surrounding the Lingates and their private lives (both charmed and star-crossed) only deepen further and laid out only when you're rapidly turning those final pages.to reach the last stunning twist.

I've always had a soft spot for stories of corrupt family dynasties riddled with sins, so I couldn't wait to dive into this one. But I'd feel less than honest if I didn't point out the flaws that keep me from giving it a full 5 stars. First, it's way, way overlong and could've used some judicious pruning, especially in those repetitious flashback teasers that dole out a little more info one nugget at a time. Second, a few of the twists are just too far-fetched to swallow, forcing the author into those 'you-gotta-be-kiddin-me' leaps of logic to explain them. (The is the second book I've reviewed this year that threw in a twist that could only generate a chorus of 'gimme-a-break-with-this, will-ya?' from readers.

Apart from that, this one's an essential read for everyone who'd love to luxuriate in a gorgeous locale and a watch a wealthy nest of vipers swamped with a tsunami of family skeletons that tumble out like quarters from a jackpot=hitting slot machine. And think of the money I saved on airline tickets to Italy.......

thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC! :)

this book had a lot of potential, but it didn’t fully work for me. salt water is a mystery set on the island of capri, italy. the story centers on the lingate family, who travel to capri every year to honor sarah lingate, who died tragically thirty years ago after falling from the cliffs. this year, her missing necklace suddenly shows up, raising questions about what really happened that night.

the lingate family were messy, manipulative, and full of secrets, which definitely made them interesting, but i found it hard to feel invested in their lives. sarah’s death and the sudden reappearance of her necklace set up an intriguing mystery. but i found the pacing uneven, with parts that felt slow and dragged out....

while i wouldn’t say the book was bad, it didn’t really pull me in. i liked the setting, and the ending tied things together nicely, but i just struggled with the slow parts and the characters. if you love stories with family drama and a heavy dose of tension, you might enjoy this more than i did!

Saltwater by Katy Hays is a murder mystery, plus kind of a psychological thriller as well. The Lingate family is very rich and very private. They don’t suffer outsiders easily and they don’t speak to anyone of family matters. Helen Lingate is thirty years old, an adult, and still is not allowed out and about without a guard. She wants out and she has figured out a way to get out. But, boy, is there a lot going on before that happens. Her friend Lorna is also Marcus’ (head of the family) assistant. No they are not having an affair, but Lorna is using her access to gather information on the members of the family, most importantly, Sarah, Helen’s mother, who died (or committed suicide or was murdered) years earlier. Richard, Sarah’s husband, had been accused, but that was short-lived. Helen had made the mistake of talking to a reporter years earlier. They had quashed the story, but it explained why Helen was kept under guard. The story mostly takes place in Capri, where they all spent a week each summer and where Sarah had been killed. What was to follow was interesting and more than convoluted. Ending with Lorna’s disappearance (death?)

This was an interesting and well-written family. Who wouldn’t want to be rich? But not it it meant living this way. Helen had a trust fund, but it had been drained, so if she were to leave she needed money. She and Lorna came up with a plan. That didn’t work out as expected, either. The plot was complicated but made a certain amount of sense. It lasted too long, but maybe that was necessary, not sure. The characters were good and each reminded the reader of someone they have seen on the television. The pacing was slow. It lasted too long, but had a relatively satisfying conclusion. I know this book is the big thing right now, but I am not moved.

I was invited to read Saltwater by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #KatyHays #Saltwater

Fans of character driven family sagas of the White Lotus variety will like this look into the Lingate family 30 years after the disappearance of Sarah Lingate, playwright, unhappily married to Richard, and mother of Helen. Now in her early 30’s Helen is beginning to realize how toxic her family is and hatches an escape plan with her friend Lorna. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy for an honest review.

Helen’s mother Sarah disappears in Capri, Italy when Helen is just 3 years old. Her body was found off a cliff, and her death was ruled an accident. The family goes back to this town every year, and on the 30th death anniversary, Sarah’s necklace is found. Some of her family do not think her death was actually an accident, and Helen tries to get to the bottom of this mystery. While on the trip, the assistant, Lorna disappears and now there’s two mysteries to solve including tons of rich family drama.

The premise seemed like something I would enjoy, but I was quickly shown I did not like this author’s writing style. It was too descriptive for me when unnecessary, and the story draggeddddd on. The writing was dry, hardly kept my attention, and none of the characters were likeable. It is told from a present and past timeline, but I kept getting confused on who’s point of view was being told and what timeline we were in. It was just a bit chaotic for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!

A woman died. A daughter grew up without answers. A family kept their secrets buried—until now. Because the past doesn’t stay hidden forever. And for the Lingates, it’s time to pay up.

Here are Reasons to Read:

A Rich, Old-Money Family with Deadly Secrets – The Lingates have spent 30 years covering up the truth, but the past is finally catching up to them.
A Haunting, Atmospheric Mystery – Set on the cliffs of Capri, the story weaves together gothic suspense, eerie family traditions, and a long-buried tragedy.
Twisted Family Drama & Psychological Tension – Daughter Helen must navigate a web of lies, paranoia, and manipulation to escape the suffocating grip of her powerful family.

While this book started off really strong, I have to say it started to lag in the middle. We jump around timelines, even within the same point of view chapter and sometimes that makes it hard to keep up. The original mystery is very twisty though and you find yourself just wanting to know what happens. But overall, you just want to like these characters more than you do but if you don’t mind that, this thriller might be for you.

Title: Saltwater
By: Katy Hays
Pub. Date: March 25, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Women’s

Trigger warnings:
Deceitfulness, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Murder, Sucide (mentioned)

Memorable Quotes:
“We are also the product of our mistakes. Regretting them is a waste of time. They are a part of us.”

Summary/Review:
Helen is on an excursion in Capri when her mother’s necklace is discovered. Her mother, Sara Lingate, passed away mysteriously 30 years ago. However, secrets, betrayal, and lies are at the root of these wealthy characters.

This is a rich people making things disappear is the theme for this trope! The overall plotline of the book was intriguing for me, but writing from multiple points of view and dual timelines can be tricky. I felt the transitions between characters and past vs.present were really rough. I struggled and sometimes found myself going back to see who was who and where we were again. My background knowledge lacked the character depth and timeline to do such in this novel. It wasn’t for me, however, if you enjoy a slow build you might enjoy this novel.

Thank you to Katy Hays, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine , and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#Saltwater
#RandomHousePublishingGroupBallatine
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley