A family with money and secrets travels, argues and has members turn up dead. Who is responsible, what secrets are everyone hiding. How much do non family members know? Questions abound and answers are surprising.

This work of suspense is full of twists and turns. Thirty years of mystery and secrets unravel as the story moves back and forth between present, recent past and thirty years ago. The beautiful island of Capri and the extravagant lifestyles of those who vacation there are the backdrop to much of book. There are an incredible number if secrets and perspectives in this book, making the reading experience much like turning a kaleidoscope.

This was a bit of a slow burn but ended up being a very good story. The story is told in 2 timelines: Sarah, who we know dies, in the early 1990s, and Sarah’s daughter Helen in the current timeline. Both primarily take place at the same villa in Capri that their wealthy family visits every year. I liked the Sarah timeline better because it was more straightforward- it took me a while to get everyone straight in Helen’s story.

There are a few mysteries here, from what happened to Sarah 30 years ago to what Helen and her uncle’s assistant Lorna are plotting, to who sent them jewelry that Sarah has been eating when she died. There are also a couple different real/perceived love triangles. Despite the action, the first half of the book moves at a slower pace, though the pacing picks up in the 2nd half. None of these characters is likable and they pretty much all do awful things, but I didn’t really mind that and I felt that the author provided viable explanations for why they did the things they did, even if I couldn’t personally empathize. I liked the ending of the book and was satisfied how it turned out.

Overall, despite taking a while to get into, I ended up liking this one. I’d give it 3.5 stars, rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

With shades of the suspense novel like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Hays crafts a novel with unreliable narrators and vicious villains. Capri is the star of this novel, Hays writes about the beauty and wonder of the place and makes me want to visit. However, the vituperative characters add menacing elements to this story of greed and revenge. The Lingates return to Capri every year and the tragic death of Sarah Lingate haunts them. Helen is Sarah’s daughter and she wants to know what happened to her mother. Did she fall off the cliff? Was she pushed? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Sarah died many years ago. Her death was ruled an accident. Her family believes she was murdered. This book kept me guessing until the end.

Decades ago, a woman marries into a wealthy family, and commits suicide on the charming island of Capri, where they vacation. But was in suicide? This family is full of dysfunction and smothering to the now adult- daughter, Helen. When the family returns again to vacation on Capri, Helen enlists the help of the family's assistant to find out the truth about her mother, and escape her claustrophobic family's lifestyle.
When the assistant turns up dead, the plot takes off with twists galore.

I didn't love the author's writing style, especially evident for me in Part 1, it was a bit choppy and confusing, and difficult to connect with the characters or the great plot line. The characters were not likable. The setting was fabulous. The ending was great. Love the cover of this one.
3 1/2 stars
~Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This is about the Lingate family, Marcus and Naomi, who have been married for years, Helen, who loves an Italian named Ciro, Richard, Helen’s father who’s wife died 30 years ago by suicide. Helen is in a bubble because of the Lingate name and fortune. No scandal, no scenes in public, no friends. The Lingates travel to Capri for a week every summer and stay in the same villa where Sarah plunged to her death on the rocks. Sarah was a playwright and her last play, Saltwater, may be the reason she is dead. It exposed all the family secrets. But Helen has a plan. All she needs is the help of her uncle’s assistant Lorna. This book is well written. It would make for a great beach read. Put it in your beach bag and thank me later.

This was the first book I have read by Katy Hays and it did not disappoint. I love a good murder mystery and this had all the twists. It’s about a playwright Sarah Lingate who is vacationing with her husband and their “old-money” family on the island of Capri when she goes missing. Shortly after, her body is found at the bottom of the cliffs and her death is ruled an accident, but everyone suspicious about the family being involved. Every year, the family travels back to Capri on the anniversary of Sarah’s death. Thirty years after her death, the family returns along with her daughter Helen and one of their assistants, Lorna. Helen is determined to escape her controlling family and enlists the help of Lorna. But when Lorna goes missing, Sarah’s case is reopened and the Lingate’s will do anything to try to keep their secrets.
This is one of the first books where I enjoyed the multiple timeline. It was extremely easy to understand and followed the POVs of Helen, Lorna and Sarah. It was a slow-burn but about halfway in, my jaw was dropping. There were predictable moments but were so many twists that I did not see coming. There is an insane amount of family drama, secrets, infidelity and lies and I ate it all up. Almost every single character was suspicious and unlikeable and for some reason, I loved it. I was engaged the whole book trying to separate the truth from the lies and figuring out everyone’s secrets.

Also, Katy has an aussie named Queso?! I LOVE IT. Aussie mom life is the best.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, and Katy Hays for the eARC

This one was just ok for me. Interesting premise, lovely setting - but there were so many characters and the plot was rather slow moving. I'm a big fan of suspense but for me, when an author is holding back information to hold suspense, if they hold back too much it just makes it hard to get into the story

I didn’t enjoy this one. I found that this book did not keep my attention. I was pretty bored and just didn’t care about what happened.

A sprawling and pacey thriller with delicious twists and a cast of appalling (and unforgettable) characters. Katy Hays does it again!

This book has more twists and turns than the roads on the island of Capri. So many elements—mystery but is it murder, suicide, or accident? Old money versus new money, rich versus poor, family versus everyone else, and let’s not forget money. Did I mention money? So much money. To live with or without it, that’s the question. And who do you trust? So many questions.

I really enjoyed this book and the imperfect characters whose choices are always questionable. Was it the right decision? Yes. No. Maybe.

I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s a great summer read and will be available late March of 2025.

Thanks so much for the review copy. I think this is mostly family drama, with some mystery/thriller aspects. It is well written but I struggled with it some.

The writing is OK and the story was okay. I can see how this is popular. I just didn't connect to it.

This story has a great plot and definitely had that thriller vibe going throughout the whole book. Full of family secrets and a show of how some rich people can behave badly but expect to get away with anything. Set in the beach of Capri the author is able to bring the characters to life through her wonderfully thought out descriptions. You can actually picture yourself there watching the drama unfold with the entire Lingate family. Helen wants to move on from her mother's death, but the rest of the family seems to want to hold on to the death and just control Helen. Then Helen's best friend, Lorna disappears as they were plotting to get away from the Lingate family. What is going on and what happened to Lorna?

I just struggled with the chapter layout and the past/present timelines that seemed to hold the exact same people. It got a bit confusing at times and that just annoyed me. But, I think a lot of readers will enjoy this story when it is published in March 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A dysfunctional family, a great location, and a mystery served up with twists and turns...what else could you ask for in a novel? Saltwater, by Katy Hays, is a fun read you will not want to put down.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this gripping novel about a dysfunctional family their past. I found the book compelling and didn't want to put it down. There were some good twists and turns.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

This was a fun read! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the descriptions of the physical location. I felt like I was on a fancy vacation too!

Who should read it: People who love family mysteries, domestic thrillers, and beautiful locations.

This book was so full of twists that at times I wasn’t sure what was happening. I had to go back and reread so I knew which character was doing what! I enjoyed being on the Isle of Capri with the family. I was happy Helen finally found love and security and I as where she had always wanted to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

Oh my gosh, I think I am obsessed with this book. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book.

I know it is early to tell, but I think this book may possibly be one of my favorite books of 2025.

I finished this book in under. a day. Saying this book is juicy is almost an understatement. I literally couldn't put this book down. Katy Hays knows how to write a deliciously addictive novel.

I am also excited to check out the audiobook from PRH Audio closer to publication day!

I highly recommend this book!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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