This started off a little slow for me, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. But by the end I could not put it down!! Excellent summer thriller

With a gorgeous setting in Capri, a rich family with some dangerous secrets and an iron fist holding back the youngest generation, and an assistant who maybe isn’t what she seems, this book was just a wealth of intrigue and mystery. The story is told in alternating timelines so you get to see two mysteries - past and present - unfold at once. I absolutely loved it, and the way it ended was just delightful, even though there is a lot of dark stuff here and you really don’t like any of the characters very much - which is perfect for this kind of book, to be honest.

I love reading about rich people doing dumb stuff.

Firstly, can we talk about the cover?! It’s absolutely stunning and I would definitely gravitate towards this book in a bookstore. It gives beachy summer vibes but this book is far from that.

In 1992, Sarah Lingate is discovered dead at the base of Capri's cliffs, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Though there are suspicions that the wealthy and influential Lingate family had a hand in her death, it’s ultimately ruled an accident. Each year, the family returns to the scene, determined to prove the ruling was correct. However, on the thirtieth anniversary of Sarah’s death, the Lingates arrive at their villa to an unsettling surprise—the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died is waiting for them. Helen takes it upon herself to find out the truth about her mom’s death with the help of Lorna. But soon enough, Lorna is also found dead.

This book took me on a wild ride and I didn’t really expect things to end that they did. The writing style of different POVs and shifting from past to present was hard for me to follow at times because there are so many characters in the book but I feel like it adds to the chaos that these characters are. The pacing of the book was not ideal, it was so slow in the beginning and then it was full force of chaos at the end but I feel like that’s sort of typical in a lot of thrillers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, especially the cover. It’s so pretty. I gave it a solid 3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine books for this ARC!

All I can say is…WOW! As I was reading through this book, I wasn’t sure where it would go. But, I wanted to keep going! I’m so glad that I did! That twist!!!! I didn’t see it coming!!! Bottom line is that I loved it! Can’t wait to read another book by Katy Hays. Thanks for allowing me to read this ARC!!

In *Saltwater*, Katy Hays crafts a mesmerizing psychological thriller set against the opulent yet treacherous backdrop of Capri. Known for her sharp storytelling in *The Cloisters*, Hays brings readers a chilling tale of family secrets, betrayal, and the haunting grip of the past.

The story revolves around the Lingate family, a wealthy American dynasty with a dark history. In 1992, Sarah Lingate mysteriously fell to her death from the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her young daughter, Helen. Though suspicions of foul play swirled around the family, Sarah’s death was officially ruled an accident. Every year since, the Lingates return to their luxurious villa, almost as if to affirm the truth of that conclusion. But on the 30th anniversary of Sarah’s death, the family is confronted with an eerie surprise—the reappearance of Sarah’s necklace, which she had been wearing the night she died.

From the moment the necklace is found, the facade of the Lingate family’s unity begins to crack. Hays masterfully builds tension as Helen, now an adult, grapples with the lingering trauma of her mother’s death. Desperate to escape her controlling father and the suffocating atmosphere of the family, she joins forces with Lorna Moreno, a family assistant, to plot a way out. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, Helen is forced to confront a disturbing truth—anyone who was present on that fateful night thirty years ago is a suspect. This includes her aloof father, Richard, her eccentric and unstable Aunt Naomi, and Uncle Marcus, whose motives remain shrouded in mystery.

The novel thrives on its unsettling atmosphere, with the island of Capri acting as a glittering yet dangerous character in its own right. Hays expertly uses the island’s stunning beauty and isolation to heighten the sense of claustrophobia and dread that permeates the Lingates’ lives. The family’s retreat to the villa, instead of being an escape, feels like a return to the scene of the crime—a place where the truth has been buried, and where the past refuses to stay hidden.

The character dynamics are another standout feature. Helen, caught between loyalty to her family and a desire to uncover the truth, is a compelling protagonist. Her partnership with Lorna adds complexity, especially as the plot twists and Helen begins to question everyone around her. The relationships within the Lingate family are strained and full of unspoken resentments, adding layers to the mystery as old grievances and secrets come to light.

What makes *Saltwater* truly gripping is Hays’ ability to keep readers guessing. The novel is packed with twists, and just when you think you’ve figured out the truth, Hays throws in another revelation that upends everything. Every character feels like they are hiding something, and the tension mounts as the stakes get higher. The final act is a rollercoaster of suspense, with Hays skillfully peeling back the layers of deceit that have kept the truth buried for so long.

*Saltwater* is an electrifying thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With its atmospheric setting, deeply flawed characters, and a mystery that unravels in unexpected ways, it’s a must-read for fans of psychological suspense. Hays captures the fine line between family loyalty and betrayal, showing how the past can cast a long shadow over the present—and how not everyone will survive its reckoning.

eARC Copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley, the author and publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Publish date March 25, 2025

In 1992 Sarah was found dead below the cliffs of Capri. She left behind her three year old daughter, Helen and husband. Her death was ruled to be an accident, though most people think it was related to her family’s money.

I would classify this as deep psychological drama/mystery. It has many layers of secrets and family drama. I would have liked this book a little more if there was more suspense. I found my self reading to read it, not reading to know what happens next.

I am looking forward to this book hitting the shelves.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The ending was unexpected. Big money, big drama.

I really enjoyed this ‘who done it’. To not spoil it - whoa surprises I didn’t see coming. I kept turning the pages! I loved the ending and honestly was in shock.

Holy Moly! I need to read this again to get a grip on the WTH actually happened. If you want to read a story that's an elegant enigma then this is for you. Bravo Kay Hays!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

There is just something about a dysfunctional rich family. I can't get enough, fictional or real life.

The Lingates fit the bill perfectly. Rich beyond comprehension, a scandal erupts when Sarah (someone who married in) is found dead on the bottom of some cliffs in Capri, leaving behind her daughter Helen. Of course suspicion falls on the family, but they worm themselves out of any charges and continue to visit the villa in the area she fell to her death from. That must be nice for her daughter. Thirty years later, on one of these trips, the necklace that Sarah was wearing on the night she died appears at the villa. Who sent it? What do they know? Was Sarah's death really an accident?

I enjoyed this book. Particularly the vivid descriptions of Capri and the ancient ruins. Thanks for making history real, and real dark. I loved how dark and disturbed the whole family seemed. You couldn't trust anyone. Like if the family from "Succession" was taking a leisurely vacation...and one of them might have murdered someone. Everyone has secrets and is anyone innocent? Read it and find out.

this is a story with so many twists it is impossible to know at the end who was good and who was bad and raises the question is murder justifiable. At times it moves slow but I could not stop reading it.

SLOWWWWWWWWWWW burn. Definitely read as more of a family drama vs suspense or thriller. It was a beautiful, scenic read but I definitely could have used more action.

Saltwater did a wonderful job with setting the scene. I had recently visited Capri, and this book completely captured the feeling of being on the island. I also felt that exploring the different timelines and character POVs in the book was very beneficial to the plot. This hook had me hooked until the very last sentence and (spoiler alert) both twists at the end were unexpected but extremely well executed. Overall, I really liked the whole “history repeats itself” story that was told in the novel and I would love to read more from this author. I would definitely recommend this book because it was more than just a suspenseful novel, it explored very important themes of class division, womanhood, and family dynamics.

This was a very slow burn and it felt like it took me years to read. I liked the Italian setting and the family drama was heavy. I think the twist was a little unrealistic and the book felt like it was longer than it needed to be. (Super long chapters might be the reason for that) This wasn't mind blowing but it also wasn't a dud. All things considered it was enjoyable.

Saltwater by Katy Hays is an intriguing thriller set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, but it doesn’t fully live up to its potential. The premise is compelling—a decades-old death and a family haunted by its secrets—but the execution feels a bit uneven at times. While the author effectively creates a suspenseful atmosphere, the pacing sometimes lags, and certain characters feel underdeveloped. I wanted to get to the end to figure out what happened, but sometimes just "knowing how this ends" was my only motivation for finishing, and that isn't great.

Helen’s journey of uncovering her mother’s past is engaging, but the twists and turns start to become a bit contrived as the story progresses. The family drama is rich, but it occasionally overshadows the mystery, leaving some of the central plot points feeling unresolved or rushed. Overall, Saltwater offers moments of tension and drama, but it may not fully satisfy readers looking for a tightly woven, unpredictable thriller.

Three stars for the vivid setting and potential and a memorable character or two, but there is room for improvement in character depth and narrative pacing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A dark, atmospheric family drama with more twists than the Amalfi Coast. A quick read that I devoured while on vacation, and a great pick for fans of White Lotus and Big Little Lies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book was perfect for the summer. I devoured it in a day. The story was unique and I really enjoyed it.

I was really intrigued by this book. Although it started a bit slow and ominous, once the mysteries picked up, I couldn’t put it down. It was full of secrets and family drama and really, really terrible people. I must admit that there was one twist I didn’t see coming at all and I loved it. I wish the story had ended there, but instead it tried for one more shocking twist and I didn’t enjoy this one as much. Overall though, it was a good read.

WTF did I just read 🤯 I feel like you need a family tree or something to keep track of all the family connections and relationships 😵‍💫

This is a family drama tied up in a suspicious death 30 years ago so grab your popcorn 🍿 and buckle up because the story is going to get wild 🤣 I gasped out loud in shock, horror and sympathy ad I read this book. I could not guess the twists and turns or the ending.

The only reason it wasn't 5⭐️ is because it needed a character family tree w/ how large of a cast of characters there were.

Thank you Ballantine and Netgalley for the ARC.

This novel starts slow but turns into a solid family drama and thriller. Set in beautiful Capri, it makes you want to visit—though you might feel out of place with all the old money around! Helen's mother, Sarah, died 30 years ago under suspicious circumstances, and now, back at the same villa, Helen receives a mysterious package containing her mom's necklace. With help from a family employee, she plans to escape her controlling family, but things get messy when the employee disappears. Overall, it’s a decent mystery with some twists, but the back-and-forth timelines can be a bit confusing. It’s a good beach read with family secrets, betrayal, and suspense—just don’t expect too much depth.