When a young woman goes missing on the summer island of Capri, the situation is eerily similiar to a situation that happened 20 years earlier, when the wife of a wealthy family is found dead on the cliffs of Capri.

Lorna is a scrappy young woman, determined to make her life better, even if it means lying and stealing to get to the top. She works with and for the Lingate family and is friends with Helen Lingate. But when Helen can't find Lorna anywhere after a party one night, she knows something happened to her, and that her family is behind it, just as they were behind her mother's murder.

Told in dual timelines from Sarah, Helen and Lorna's perspectives, this book will leave you wanting more. Badly behaved wealthy families? What more could you want!

I really enjoyed this slow-burn thriller set in Capri! Italy, which is quite possibly my favorite place in the world, comes to life on the page, as does the lifestyle and whims of the rich. I enjoyed the complexity of Helen, the daughter of the wealthy Lingate family, and I also thought Naomi, Helen’s aunt, was a great character.

Overall, for me, the characters and setting are the stand-outs! At times, I wished for the plot to move a little more quickly, but part of the reason for its slowness is the character development and totally on-point building out of this rich and complex family, so sometimes you can’t have it both ways, right? The insight into the way this type of old-money family operates, in juxtaposition with the ‘gauche’ new-money set, makes me think that Hays has experience with this or REALLY did her research.

This book has a bit of the feel of the movie Saltburn in that you get to watch a very wealthy family coming apart at the seams, rotting from the inside out. And the timing of this type of story seems perfect: there seems to be a trend in the general public – a zeitgeist, if you will – to turn against the wealthy and powerful who wield their weight to take down those with fewer means at their disposal, as we’re seeing play out with this Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni case.

I highly recommend this for readers who enjoy domestic, slow-burn thrillers and those who (like me) have an obsession with Italy.

This hits the shelves March 25!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

If you enjoy books about rich snobby characters getting their due, then this book is for you. The story was snarky and engaging, but this would be more of a popcorn-vacation-type read for me, nothing unforgettable. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Pub Date: March 25, 2025

#Saltwater


The story was fast paced and part of the twists I never saw coming. Told in multiple POV’s during different times. The newspaper articles were a nice add in too. Even though the family is a bunch of rich snobs I did feel for Helen. I loved how the whole story wrapped up and the ending was excellent. The believability is stretched but that’s what makes it a fun read.

This would make for a great summer or vacation read.

The proof is broke into Part One and Part Two. There are no chapters to try and find your place. Within the Parts you are given each person’s pov and I hope when the book publishes that it will have chapters and not just the two parts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC of this book. The writing is solid, with vivid settings and a decent character development. While the characters were engaging overall, the pacing of the story can feel a bit slow at times, which affected the flow of the narrative. The story itself was decent, but ultimately, it didn’t leave a lasting impression and didn’t become a favorite. It’s an enjoyable read for fans of this genre, but it might not stand out among others. An okay story overall.

I have to say having never been to Capri, I sure feel like I know the place. Katy Hays did such a fantastic job of immersing you into Italy.

The story was fast paced and part of the twists I never saw coming. Told in multiple POV’s during different times. The newspaper articles were a nice add in too. Even though the family is a bunch of rich snobs I did feel for Helen. I loved how the whole story wrapped up and the ending was excellent. The believability is stretched but that’s what makes it a fun read.

This would make for a great summer or vacation read.

The proof is broke into Part One and Part Two. There are no chapters to try and find your place. Within the Parts you are given each person’s pov and I hope when the book publishes that it will have chapters and not just the two parts.

Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this e-arc.

Who doesn't love rich peoples problems with the background being a Italian island?!?!?
Long ago murders ruled an accident and family drama, this book was made for me.

Easy read, definitely giving summer TBR list vibes. Mystery and thriller readers will definitely enjoy this.

Thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publisher for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This was fun, twisted, and kept me on my toes for the entire book! Not my favorite twisty mystery I’ve ever read but def worth the read!

Picturesque Capri sets the scene for Saltwater. While on their annual family vacation, Sarah Lingate disappears and it is presumed that she is murdered. Thirty years later, her daughter Helen wants to find out what happened to her mother. Her family is old money, and they have the means to make anything happen … or disappear.

The story is a back and forth between characters and time periods, piecing together the events that led to Sarah’s death. The novel is full of family drama and Helen learns about the secrets her family has kept for years. It felt like the story was coming to a close, only to have another twist change my thoughts. There were characters that I knew not to trust! I enjoyed Saltwater and it’s a great beachy/ vacay read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballatine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great read! Twisty mystery with an ending that you’ll never see coming. Hays’ writing transported me to the island of Capri, living among the uber wealthy Lingate family, where the mystery of Sarah Lingate’s death unfolds 30 years later. Although I found the story dragging a bit in the middle, I enjoyed the book overall and think it will quickly be a hit in March when it is published.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC.

Loved the beautiful setting and the author did such a great job making you feel immersed in the setting. I could not get invested in the characters and the pacing felt off for this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

This mystery thriller story follows a few characters across different timelines. In 1992, Sarah Lingate was discovered dead beneath the cliffs of Capri, an island in Italy. The cause of death was ruled accidental despite the suspicious circumstances.

From then on, Sarah’s family made it a habit to go to this island every year. On her thirtieth death anniversary, something strange happens to the Lingate family related to Sarah’s death. Helen, Sarah’s daughter, decides to leave with the family assistant, Lorna. What happens next is that Lorna disappears, and the thirty-year-old death investigation is reopened.

First, the pros of the book: The author successfully created an atmospheric novel, and I think she did an excellent job with the setting. The plot itself is interesting, as well. It makes the reader wonder what happened and what will happen next.

Unfortunately, the way the story was narrated didn't work for me. The multiple perspectives and different timelines worked against the entertainment value. What really made it worse was that the characters needed more unique voices. Using the first-person narration style requires a unique voice or else it will feel confusing.

I often went back to confirm whose perspective I was reading. The jumps in the timelines don’t allow the reader to fully connect with the characters or remain fully engaged with the story.

Salt Water had the potential to be a compelling mystery thriller and a favorite read, if not for the drawbacks I mentioned. If you can disregard these shortcomings, you might enjoy the book a lot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. Hays is truly a masterful storyteller. This novel took the reader on a journey through a land and with characters that were vibrant and tragic. The story was heartbreaking and gripping in its universal story that people will go to great lengths for those they love.

3.25 ⭐️

SALTWATER, the sophomore novel by Katy Hays, has plenty of rich people behaving badly. Richard Lingate’s wife Sarah was found dead in the waters below the cliffs of Capri, Italy, in 1992. It’s now 2022, and the family is back in Capri. Sarah’s daughter Helen, now an adult (she was 3 years old when Sarah died), is almost held as a captive of the family. After arriving, they find the necklace Sarah was wearing when she died. The family’s employee Lorna comes with them to Capri and disappears shortly thereafter.

It was difficult to get invested in these characters. The reason why isn’t because they aren’t likeable, per se, because that doesn’t usually bug me. It was more that I didn’t build any connection with most of them.

Like many stories with dual or multiple timelines, I was very interested in the oldest timeline (1992, in this case). I felt most empathy for Sarah and thought the author did a very good job of giving her an interesting storyline. Renata didn’t get much space in the pages, but she intrigued me as well. The brothers Richard and Marcus seemed rather indistinguishable from one another. Freddy didn’t seem to have much of a personality. Essentially, the men got shortchanged.

The setting is decent, and I think the pictures within the novel help the setting to come even more alive. (Putting a few of those pictures in the book probably was also a nice reason for the author to write off a trip to Italy.)

I would classify this as more of a slow burn suspense. I enjoyed it well enough for what it was. This would be a good beach read, but I wouldn’t recommend going in wanting more from it than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes March 25, 2025.

I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

Saltwater follows a rich family as they are haunted by a death of one of their own. Helen was only 3yrs old when her mother was found dead at the bottom of the cliff at the family’s Italian villa. She is now 33 and trying to get to the bottom of her mother’s death and family secrets. I enjoyed the book very much. I would definitely recommend.

A story of a family born into money, and the entitlement that came along with it. A mother who died accidentally there, years before this story begins, leaving her 3 year old daughter, Helen, without solid memories of her. And yet, the family returns to the island of Capri annually. In the year that this story begins, which coincides with the anniversary of her mother’s death, one of her mother’s necklaces, which her mother, Sarah, was wearing on the day she died, is found.

The writing is often lovely, and I loved the settings, and for the most part, the characters, but, overall, it wasn’t a story that moved me.


Pub Date: 25 Mar 2025


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

No sophomore slump here! Saltwater is a thriller that will have you frantically turning the pages until the the very last page. The book transports you to Italy, and the author's descriptions of the Isle of Capri lend the entire book a dreamy, at times dangerous, atmospheric setting. The ultra-wealthy Lingate family has returned to Capri for their annual visit. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of the beautiful Sarah Lingate. Ominous rumors have surrounded what was ruled an accidental death, and her now adult daughter, Helen, has vowed to discover the truth of her mother's death, and escape from her suffocating family. The complex cast of characters is finely drawn, the twists and turns, the motivational insights, and equally taut epilogue make for a compelling read!

Saltwater by Katy Hays is a beautifully written mystery that transports you to the luxurious and captivating world of Capri. The descriptive, almost decorative writing really immerses you in the atmosphere, making it easy to picture the stunning scenery and the opulence of the setting.

The book definitely kept me guessing, with twists and turns that kept me on my toes. The story starts strong, drawing you in with its mystery and intrigue, but it does slow down slightly in the middle. That said, I still found myself hooked by the writing and the characters.

One of the book’s strengths is its use of a dual timeline and multiple points of view. Hearing from Lorna, Helen, Sarah, and other characters gave the story depth and made it feel multidimensional. It was fascinating to experience the same events from different perspectives, which added complexity to both the plot and the relationships.

Overall, Saltwater is an atmospheric, engaging read that captures the essence of Capri and offers a compelling mystery. If you enjoy well-crafted narratives with rich settings and multiple POVs, this book is definitely worth reading.

**Review of *Saltwater* by Katy Hays**

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

*Saltwater* by Katy Hays is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of grief, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships. The prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the raw emotions of the characters and the powerful setting. The exploration of personal transformation and healing amidst the backdrop of the ocean and nature provides a poignant and reflective atmosphere.

However, while the writing is strong, the pacing can feel slow at times, and the plot meanders a bit, leaving the story feeling a bit drawn out. The character development is solid, but I found it hard to fully connect with the protagonist, which made it difficult to become emotionally invested in her journey. Some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped, and the overall storyline lacked the depth and tension that would have elevated it further.

Overall, *Saltwater* is an introspective and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of literary fiction, but it may not resonate as strongly for readers seeking a more tightly woven plot or deeper character connection. It's a beautiful, meditative story but lacks the emotional impact to make it truly unforgettable.

Deliciously messy. Rich family. A murder. Beautiful scenery. This book would be the perfect beach read!