“Saltwater” focuses on the old money Lingate family, who return to the same rented villa in Capri every summer, despite the fact that Sarah Lingate, wife of Richard Wingate, died there under mysterious circumstances in 1992, after falling from a cliff behind the property. It was ruled accidental at the time, but lingering suspicions kept the Lingate family out of the public eye, closing ranks to protect the family despite tensions among its members.

The novel focuses on three POVs. The first perspective is Helen, the 33 year old daughter of Richard and Sarah, who is stifled by the family and wants to escape but is not provided money of her own to pursue her own interests outside of the family. The narrative also flashes back in time to Sarah’s perspective (the second POV) in the days leading up to her death. The third POV is Lorna, a friend of Helen’s who is also the personal assistant to Helen’s Uncle Marcus. Her POV includes headings with a countdown to her disappearance. There is also a hint that Lorna and Helen have devised a scheme to extort money from the family, which they will split if they are successful.

The cause of Sarah’s death and who, if anyone, could be responsible, keeps the reader intrigued, while Lorna’s disappearance is an added source of tension. It is hard to categorize this novel, as it is too slow a burn to be considered a thriller, so the best description would be mystery/intrigue with some literary fiction aspects with its theme of decay, both within the Lingate family and the villa in Capri.

On the negative side, the plot seemed slow and meandering at times, while the multiple time periods sometimes made it difficult to keep track of the different storylines, as the reader would lose the thread of a particular storyline when it was ultimately brought back into focus. That being said, the novel was well written with complex characters, a beautiful setting brought to life by vivid prose, and an intriguing plot. Although the ending seemed somewhat improbable, if the reader is willing to suspend disbelief, it makes for an interesting twist.

This was such a great book to read on my cruise. Enthralling and I loved the twists… I can’t wait to share this title with everyone.

Saltwater is a delightful murder mystery/thriller that is brilliantly written and will captivate you from the start! This book honestly gave me “Rebecca” feels, which is one of my all time favorite books, so it’s no wonder I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. While mainly told from Helen’s POV, it does occasionally switch to other characters POV, and you can’t help but picture yourself on the beautiful Italian island of Capri because Hays’ writing style and descriptions are just perfection. The ending delivered a shocking twist that I loved and never saw coming. This was the first book I read by this author, but I absolutely love her writing style so it will not be my last. Also, can we talk about how beautiful the cover is! This book needs to be on my shelf for multiple reasons so I will be snagging a copy when it releases!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballentine for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fabulous mystery, loved it and kept me going.. will be the beach read of the summer. I read the earlier book and this was far better.. As I. was reading I could also imagine the screenplay or the tv series... Saltwater meets the white lotus and with the right cast, would be totally amazing.

The characters and stories were really clever and interestingly woven together. I guessed about 90% of the ending but still enjoyed it and looking forward to the authors next book... The one real give away was the regular housekeeper not attending to the villa for the week.. if not for that little clue, I would have only guessed half..

Wow! I loved this! I couldn’t put it down and read during every free second I could spare. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my review!

Saltwater is a dazzling and intense thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The glamorous setting of Capri is a perfect backdrop for this intricate, high-stakes drama, where family grudges and long-buried secrets ignite like fireworks. The twists are sharp, the stakes are sky-high, and the tension is palpable. I was utterly captivated by this riveting tale, an absolute must-read for fans of thrilling family dramas and dark secrets.

A little predictable but a fun summer read nonetheless! The descriptions of Capri were great, and I found myself really wishing I was there despite the underlying feeling of paranoia and anxiety threaded throughout the book.

I was drawn into the story right from the start! Although told primarily from Helen's point of view, you actually get the point of view of key players at crucial times. The original crime, Sarah's murder, is the kick off for all of the current day events. In the book, Ciro says that we are always both people, meaning that we each have two sides. Interestingly enough, Ciro is the only person in this book that does not wear two faces. Between the public face and the real self, the plan and the subterfuge, each person's actions are suspect. This is a mystery that meanders like a stream at the start, but quickly builds as your perceptions are dashed on the rocks in the torrent of the deceptions. Just when you think you have a grasp on what happened in the past, you are propelled in another direction. Hays is a master story-teller that provides enough twists to ensure that you are astonished at the end! I loved this story - there was not a page that didn't hold me captive to find out more! And the scenery was as beautiful as it was dangerous! This is a must read!!

Rich people problems, murder, power and secrets. Helen wants to find out if her mother`s death which was ruled an accident was really one 30 years later. This was an engaging read. There were characters I liked and and a few I did not. I loved the setting of Capri too. I nice twisty thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for the ARC

This was a wonderful thriller! A cast of rich characters you love to hate. Helen and her family return to the island of Capri where her mother mysteriously died 30 years before. Helen is desperate to get away from her claustrophobic life and teams up with her uncle's assistant, Lorna, to help them both escape the grip her family has on them both. Another tragedy unfolds on the island and Helen must uncover all the secrets and lies her family has kept hidden for years. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this one! Great ending. Helen and Lorna were very different personalities but I was rooting for them both the whole time. My only gripe is I was ready for the big reveal and resolution quicker than when it was provided.

I really enjoyed this twisty thriller.

Set in Capri, the book was so well written and an interesting look at a rich family haunted by a tragedy 30 years ago. The main characters are Helen, the daughter of the rich family who lost her mother in an accident? and Lorna, the assistant to Helen's uncle. The book was really, really intriguing. I read it in one day, and I look forward to more from this author.

WHAT A RIDE! Favorite summer read of 2024, hands down! I enjoyed the thrill, the wealthy family through trials, murder, money woes, infidelity and blackmail. I loved the cloisters, so this was a fast request from me. Thanks Netgalley!

A stylish and gripping thriller set in Capri.

The Lingates have it all. So much wealth and power that it seems like they are able to get away with anything. While on their annual summer vacation in Capri a necklace arrives, seeming to threaten the careful narrative they have crafted about the death of a family member 30 years ago…

The story is constructed well, with alternate timelines and points of view. There is plenty of intrigue and a cast of unlikeable characters. There is also a sense of tension and mystery throughout and it’s never clear who is telling the truth, if anyone. I loved the setting and was rooting for Lorna and Helen!

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

An elegant setting. A rich and powerful family. Secrets and lies. This book is full of all the things that keep me up late reading more and more. The story was interesting, and the writing was very good. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read Saltwater by Katy Hays. Whoa - talk about twisty! Talk about characters you love to hate! Saltwater has all that in spades and an ending i did not see coming.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. I loved the twists and turns and unpredictability of the book. Nothing went the way I expected, and I couldn't put it down. It was very suspenseful, and that was increased by cliffhangers as the book alternated between narrators and two different time periods. I liked this book even more than the author's previous book, The Cloisters. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended!

This book was captivating and I was so happy to have read it. Hays' writing is gripping and I loved the pacing because it kept me engaged throughout the entire book and the way details are slowly dropped throughout the book leads the reader on so many twists and turns that keep you guessing. I love the setting of it being in Capri because it had lead to so many beautiful descriptions of the environment. The narrators voice is strong and drives the story throughout the pages. It was a great read.

Katy Hays has written a riveting thriller taking place in the beautiful setting of Capri. Decades ago, Sarah Lingate, of the extremely wealthy and prominent Lingates, was found dead under the cliffs, leaving her husband and three year old daughter, Helen. It was determined to be an accident, however with many unanswered questions. Currently, Helen has returned with the family for their yearly visit. This time, the necklace Sarah was wearing when she died has turned up. Helen and Lorna, assistant to the family, are determined to find the truth, and then maybe Helen will be able to escape her family’s control. This book is very well crafted, with many interesting characters (both likeable and unlikeable). Not everyone survives the trip, and not everyone is who they seem. It is a very good read with exciting twists and turns. Highly recommended. With thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

As another reader said it best. I couldn’t put this book down! By far my favorite summer read. “Saltwater” by Katy Hays follows a wealthy family through trials, murder, money woes, infidelity and blackmail. I highly recommend. Very well written. I escaped to Capri and fell fully immersed in this read. Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide an honest review. #goodreads #saltwater #netgalley

Sarah’s death is ruled an accident in Capri, and she tragically leaves behind her three year old daughter. Was it really an accident, or was the rich family involved responsible? They spend the next 30 years trying to prove that they aren’t. The family returns, and so does Sarah’s daughter, Helen. This time, no one leaves the island before the mystery is solved, and not everyone leaves alive. Such a good thriller!