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!

“She’s famous for dying, Sarah Lingate. And they’re all famous for not killing her. Maybe.”

What an addicting, unbelievable, train-wreck of a family! Saltwater by Katy Hays brings us to the beautiful country of Capri – only to make us scared of the cliffs! Thirty years ago, Sarah Lingate dies mysteriously on a family vacation to Capri. Years later, her Brother-in-Law Marcus hires Lorna, who starts digging into the Lingate family – and becomes best friends with Helen, Sarah’s daughter. When the family, plus Lorna, visit Capri again, the necklace Sarah was wearing at the time of her death is delivered to the villa, the family is placed on high alert and willing to do anything to keep their secrets to themselves.

WOW! What a ride! The Lingate family will make you appreciative of your own family, for sure. Money can bring you power - but it is clear here that it can't buy you happiness (well, by the end . . . maybe it can!).

While I really enjoyed the ending, the book started slow and was dragged out in parts. There was a lot of over-the-top family drama and none of the characters were really likable (which makes it hard to get invested in their possible "happy" outcome). I also love the cover of this book, but I'm not sure the name of the novel fits with the story at all (yes, I get it is in an exotic location with seawater, and I believe the name of the necklace) but for a dark, mysterious family-angst story, Saltwater doesn't fit.

I enjoyed Hays' creativity and the twists! However, there is a lot going on here and the multiple POV gets a little much at times (and a tad unbelievable, even for this rich, crazy family). While this wasn't exactly perfection for me, I enjoyed the story and think this will be a popular summer/beach read. 3.6 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

“Families . . . they try to do their best. But that doesn’t mean they’re always right. Or good.”

“It’s so much easier to get away with if you only do it once.”

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced reader's copy of this novel.

If you are looking for a suspenseful on the edge of your seat, this one might be what you are looking for. The main characters will have you locked in from the first chapter. By the time the book ends, you will be invested, and then it turns in a way you will never guess. I do not want to give it away but do not put this one down.

I am sorry to report that I found this to be a slog. I loved the author’s first book, but none of that magic made it into this one. The story felt generic with not enough details about any character provided to make me care about what was going on combined with a lot of irrelevant details that made the book longer. Then the last 1/3 went off the rails- and not in a good way. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Sadly it didn’t work for me.

I can't go with half stars so it'll be a 3 star.

Rich people behaving badly, the premise drew me in initially.
Sarah Lingate died in 1992. Her death was an accident after she fell over the cliffs and into the water on the island of Capri. She left behind her 3 year old daughter, Helen. Her family continues to return every year. The Lingate family is old-money wealthy, and there are suspicions that someone in the family is involved with her death. the 30th anniversary of her death, the necklace Sarah was wearing when died is found. This discovery reopens family wounds and rehashes secrets as well.
With all this tumultuous drama, Helen uses this opportunity to escape her overbearing and suffocating family. She gets Lorna, the assistant, to help her, but then Lorna herself disappears. This puts Sarah's death on the forefront, which will unveil a web of lies.

A big thanks to Netgalley and Random House-Ballantine books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Expected publication March 25, 2025.

✪✪✪✪: the vibes are italian and claustrophobic

I love this book. It feels cleverly constructed, the way it navigates POV and timing, and, for me, it keeps pulling you in deeper and deeper with every page, not letting you see what could be right under the surface.

Its a claustrophobic story, tense and tight, especially when we're in the POV of Helen. You can feel the way she's been controlled, kept under the thumb of her family. Her desperation oozes off the page and the lengths that she and Lorna go to feel realistic and justified.

Hays is saying a lot about the ultra rich in this book. She's saying a lot about the way money colors the perceptions of the outside world, how it is freedom and a straight jacket all at once. She expertly twists money and how it can represent freedom, with family and legacy and how those things, all at once, are an anchor, weighing you down. Its interesting, how each member of the Lingate family handles excess, has handled 30 years of guilt and grief. They shelter each other out of necessity, out of some deranged sense of loyalty. But its all in service of the money and the appearance that they must keep up. Otherwise, that money holds less currency. Its a conundrum.

WOW!!!! Twist after twist after twist after twist, I could not put Saltwater down!! Just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist was added that blew my mind. I LOVED this!! I love any story where rich people behave badly but this was one step higher than most. Loved the characters, loved the way the story was told in dual timeline, loved the excellent writing of Katy Hays. This was amazing until the very explosive end! Read this NOW!

I love a rich people behaving badly thriller! Who killed Helen's mother in 1992 and how does the cover up come back to haunt them today? All taking place on Capri, Italy which made me ravenous to go to Italy this summer. Highly recommend for thriller readers even though it has quite a slow start. Part two really takes off and the reveals at the end had me shocked!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC, publication date is 3/25/2025