Wow.. when I started this book, I wasn't sure I was going to finish it, let alone love it. It definitely took me a little to get into the story, which has a lot of characters and moving parts. However I am thrilled I stuck with it. That's all I'll say without giving anything else away.

Saltwater by Katy Hays is your quintessential “rich people behaving badly” thriller set in the sun-drenched luxury of Capri. We’re talking a family so tangled in secrets, lies, and questionable decisions that they practically belong on their own reality show. At the heart of it all is Helen Lingate, a woman with one goal: to figure out what happened to her mother, Sarah, who was found mysteriously dead below the cliffs of Capri in 1992. But of course, when it comes to a family this wealthy, nothing is ever straightforward—except their penchant for covering up inconvenient truths.

The story unfolds through multiple POVs and timelines, which is either brilliantly intricate or slightly dizzying, depending on how well you can keep track of who’s plotting against whom. Every chapter introduces another layer of secrets and betrayals that would make even a soap opera villain say, “That’s a bit much.” And naturally, there isn’t a single character who could be described as “likable” or even remotely grounded in reality. But hey, isn’t that why we read books about old-money families? If you’ve come here looking for relatable, salt-of-the-earth characters, you’re better off reading something else.

There’s a lot to love—or at least tolerate—about Saltwater. The setting is beautifully described, and if you’re not booking a flight to Capri after reading Hays’s lush descriptions, you’ll probably at least want to Google some photos. The plot has enough twists to keep you entertained, even if they sometimes veer into soap-opera territory. And that ending? Well, let’s just say it’s the literary equivalent of a mic drop, leaving you either reeling in shock or wondering why you invested so much in these characters to begin with.

All in all, Saltwater is perfect for readers who love mysteries full of scandal, betrayal, and toxic family ties. Just be ready to lose track of timelines and put up with characters you wouldn’t want to spend five minutes with in real life. If that’s your cup of tea (or should I say, limoncello?), then dive in.

This thriller was entertaining and kept my attention. I sometimes enjoy a good book about rich people, especially when they are unlikeable, which this book was full of. I would give it a try if you are looking for a decent read that you just want to chill out and not think about anything.

OMG I loved this book! I was immediately hooked as Hays introduces us to the luxurious and envious life of the Lingates. I didn’t mind the timeline and POV jumps. There were so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I would 10000% read a sequel about these characters. Thanks for the eARC!

Helen wants to know the truth of what happened to her mother. A story of secrets, greed, family drama, and intrigue. So many bad people ruthless to get the family fortune made for an entertaining read.

Rich people up to no good.

I was a massive fan of Katy Hays' The Cloisters. The tarot cards, the academic nature of the entire book—it hit all of my sweet spots. For her second novel, Saltwater, Hays takes us to Capri. It's sunny and beautiful, and it's the Lingates' home away from home, even though Sarah Lingate was found dead in 1992.

At the time of her death, her husband, Richard, and his brother, Marcus, were both investigated for murder, but there was no evidence. Plus, it helps that the Lingates are old money. Old money and family history that rules over everything.

Sarah has one child, 3-year old Helen. For the rest of Helen's life, she was protected and kept on a tight leash. She shopped where she was allowed. She ate where she was allowed. She went to school where her father wanted because she could live at home and he could keep a watchful eye.

Thirty years later, the Lingates arrive at the same white villa in Capri as they have for the last thirty years to remember Sarah and squeeze in a vacation rubbing elbows with other old-money families. Helen's boyfriend has come along this year, as has Marcus' assistant, Lorna.

Lorna has secrets of her own, but she and Helen have connected during her time with Marcus. They have been working on a plan of escape, one that will benefit both of them. When the family wakes up and Lorna is missing, all of the lies and old money secrets start to dissolve.

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One of the things that I enjoyed about both The Cloisters and Saltwater was the way that Hays laid out the story. With Saltwater, duel timelines and multiple POVs help expand the story, adding depth and intrigue to the mystery of both disappearances.

There are a ton of red herrings, and I was constantly wondering who did what and to whom. Each reveal was better than the one before, and the final reveal took this from a four-star to a five-star read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“Saltwater” will be the next thrilling, hot read of the summer! This transportive story takes you to the luxurious costal area of Capri, Italy. This rich family has secrets long buried and new ones rising with the tide. Each character has a different motive at play. I enjoyed unraveling the family dynamics of this dramatic thriller. The alternating timelines and perspectives added to the intrigue of the storytelling.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

On some levels this book struck me as a slapstick comedy, changing identities, random deaths, no guilt….except this isn’t funny, just confusing. I think the style of writing is fine but the plot is so absurdly convoluted that I needed a spreadsheet to figure out who was who and who was dead or alive.

This takes place on beautiful Capri where the ultra-wealthy Lingate family returns every year despite the fact that Sarah Lingate had been…murdered, killed or committed suicide there 30 years earlier. The book is narrated by Sarah, her daughter Helen and the shady family assistant, Lorna. It is told in different time periods during a 30 year span.

Honestly, I felt there were simply too many “confusions” which weren’t red herrings just endless trivialized death. I was very uncomfortable with that attitude. I don’t think there was a single likable character.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this rather bizarre novel.

A story about not super likeable rich people, but yet I couldn't put it down. Didn't see that last twist coming!

Outstanding! Part family drama, part dual timeline, part mystery, part love, loss, forgiveness and loyalty. This family drama is set on the Almalfi coast of Italy and so full of twists and turns you lose track of who is related to who and how! Fast-paced and all-encompassing story that pulls you in and doesn't let you go. As I love The CLosisters, I anticipated this one and it did not let me down!

OH WOW. This one took me by surprise, time and again. Until the last page (and I reread the final chapter to make sure!), I couldn't predict the outcomes or ending.

If you like a family drama, thriller, mystery, and a touch of romance, you'll love this one. It was unexpected. At times, it was an edge-of-seat page-turner ... I shook my head at the imagination of the writer more than once.

Recommended.

This book was a little slow at times, but that last half, most importantly, the last couple of chapters made it all worth it. I was not expecting that ending at all.

I enjoyed the suspense and mystery, but didn’t love the rich family angst aspect. Also I felt like the final few chapters were a bit of a stretch for me and a little convenient.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced copy!

The wealthy Lingate family takes an annual vacation on Capri. The family is close and keeps tight reins on the youngest member, Helen.

30 years ago, Sarah, Helen’s mother died during the annual vacation. Was it murder, suicide, or an accident? Helen is determined to find out and exposes secrets and lies that will be the undoing of the family.

The beginning was a bit slow for me however it became a page-turner with a surprise ending—many thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

This story revolves around the Lingates, a wealthy family that vacations in Capri. Thirty years ago, Sarah Lingate died in a tragic accident. Now, another person has gone missing, and Sarah's daughter Helen suspects that her mother might have been murdered. The premise and setting had me hooked, and I was very excited to read it. For me, the action was lacking, and the book had so much description (very well written) that it got in the way of the story. Some people might feel differently. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could. If you're looking for more of a family drama, this might be for you. For me, I was reading it more as a mystery/thriller and it was a little too slow for my taste.. Again, very well written, and others might feel differently. Thanks to the publisher and author for this advance copy.

Saltwater by Katy Hays is a captivating debut that pulls readers into a world filled with secrets, longing, and the rugged beauty of the coastal landscape. The story follows a young woman navigating her past while trying to find her place in a new, mysterious environment. Hays crafts an evocative atmosphere, blending lyrical prose with a sense of quiet suspense. The characters are raw and deeply human, making it easy to connect with their struggles. A perfect read for those who enjoy introspective narratives with a haunting, coastal backdrop.

After reading The Cloisters by Katy Hays I knew I needed to read anything else she ever publishes. The atmosphere and energy from Saltwater was different from The Cloisters in several ways, but it also carried some similarities that I now associate with Hays' writing style. Saltwater is a book about a mysterious well-to-do family who continues to spend their summers at the house in Capri even after the wife/mother, Sarah, was found dead below the the cliffs. In the wake of Sarah's death, everyone wants to know what happens, but no one can get the Lingates to incriminate themselves even though they had to play some role in it. In the wake of this chaos, Sarah's daughter Helen grows up isolated and controlled - no one can be trusted. But all Helen wants is to know what really happened to her mother all those years ago.

The beginning of the book introduces readers to the story about half way through the entire situation is playing out, leaving readers to figure out what's happening, why it's happening, and who can be trusted. In addition to the unique chronological order of this book, readers are also shifted back and forth in time; spending time in Sarah's life before her fateful death, the weeks and months leading up to the Lingates summer trip to the island of Capri, and right in the thick of it while some sort of scheme is happening on the island - but the reader doesn't know what that scheme is.

I really enjoyed reading Saltwater by Katy Hays, her writing style is unique in that you can tell that she does a lot of research about the topics that she writes about and she leaves the information in the pages so it doesn't just set the scene but really makes the reader feel like they're in the storyline - I felt like a wealthy friend of the Lingates who was observing everything happening rather than someone reading about a wealthy families secrets. I did have a hard time with where the book started and trying to fill in the blanks, but that is simply a reading preference of mine and nothing to do with any actual issue with the plot; by the end I had fully put the puzzle together with no holes.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed Hays' first book, The Cloisters, as well as people who enjoy a mix of mystery and historical fiction. I also got very similar vibes from the characters as I did when I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo so I anticipate readers who read that would also like this book.

Saltwater, a thriller/mystery, is told from 2 different time periods and with multiple characters. 30 years ago Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Capri, Italy.Her death was really never solved although it was said to be an accident and now another person has been found dead. Sarah’s daughter, Helen has returned to Capri and is not sure who she can trust or believe once a necklace belonging to Sarah has been discovered. This is an easy read and kept one in suspense throughout the entire book.

Saltwater follows the Lingate family in over two different timelines - 1992 when Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Capri & present day when her now 33 year old daughter is trying to figure out what happened to her mother. Helen wants nothing more than to know what happened to her mom, but the problem with digging up the past is that sometimes it can repeat itself.

In addition to having two timelines, the story is told from multiple different points of view which, in my opinion, doesn’t always work. For Saltwater, the change in POV & timeline shifts worked most of the time but there were definitely moments where I wound up a little confused. Helen’s character arc throughout the story was one of the defining features & written extremely well, although I would have liked to see more out of a few of the other characters.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. Even though there were spots where I felt like it dragged, the ending without a doubt made up for it. Truth be told I had to go back and reread one of the final chapters to make sure I read it correctly.

Thank you #Netgalley and Random House Publishing for proving me an ARC of #Saltwater for my honest review

This one has a great pre
Ise but unfortunately I felt became very stuck in a repetition around the 25% mark. I wish it would've picked up more in the beginning instead of a sort of slow burn.