Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this E-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.

Saltwater by Katy Hays takes us back to 1992, when the rich Lingate family was on vacation in the rich people's playground, Capri. Tragedy strikes when playwright Sarah Lingate is found dead after falling off a cliff and leaving behind her little girl (3 year old Helen), and although Sarah’s death is ruled an accident, many people suspect the Lingate family had something to do with it. Even though it’s been years, the Lingates continue to return to Capri every summer. Now, on the 30th anniversary of Sarah’s death, Helen, now 30, and the family assistant, Lorna, come up with a plan to help Helen escape her overbearing family. Things take a turn when Sarah’s necklace, the one she was wearing when she died, mysteriously shows up at the house where the family is staying. Just when things couldn’t get stranger, Lorna disappears, and everything starts to unravel.

What really happened to Sarah all those years ago? Who is Lorna, and where did she go? There are so many unanswered questions, and each twist brings more secrets to light.

I really enjoyed Saltwater. The way she writes is engaging, and the characters all have their own secrets that keep you hooked. I also appreciated the surprising twists throughout the story. I can’t wait to see what Katy Hays writes next!
Saltwater will be available on March 25, 2025 but you can pre-order it now!

#NetGalley, #BallantineBooks, #Saltwater, #KatyHays

Thank you so much @netgalley for my copy! This cover is to die for and really sets all the vibes for the story. Rich people being shitty is always so fun. You know you are in for juicy drama and this one delivered. Its also set on the coast of Italy and is lush with rich, atmospheric detail. There are multiple POVs and a jumping timeline between past and present which keeps the reader engaged.

I did pretty much guess all the twists, and at times I felt this was a bit repetitive but, it’s a great way to kick off warmer weather (or hoping) and escaping to the vivid blue sea.

DNF @30%.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review.

This will work for a lot of people. It's a typical thriller - time warps and people gone missing and murder and rich folks behaving poorly.

But it didn't work for me.

There were two perspectives, but the writing style did not do enough to differentiate the two voices / characters. I was never sure if I was reading Lorna or Helen. Also, the time skips and jumps and lack of continuity in the story and plot just messed with my head, and I wasn't a fan of the writing style.

I was mildly intrigued by the mystery, and I loved the setting, but I just couldn't bring myself to care much about the characters. It felt like there wasn't enough done to make them 'real' and to make me feel like I had any form of investment in what happened to them. By 20% in the story, I didn't get who Freddy was, what Marcus's deal was, I kept forgetting who Naomi was, and I just didn't understand what was happening in general. This may have been intentional to create mystery, but instead it just made me annoyed and frustrated and not wanting to read it.

3.5 Loved the setting and atmosphere of the very rich family and their secrets. The timeline/ POV jumping was a bit too much and stopped me from enjoying this one more. Oh Helen!

What really happened to Sarah Lingate? She was found dead beneath the cliffs of Capri but no one has ever revealed what really happened and her wealthy family continues the tradition of vacationing in Capri. 30 years later the necklace she was wearing is sent to the family and Lorna, an assistant to the family disappears. Is the disappearance related to Sarah's death? Moving between the present and the past readers discover more and more about the family and the secrets of the past. I recommend this to readers that enjoy books about family secrets.

I really wanted to like this book, I really did. The setting of a beautiful island in Italy with the story of an unsolved murder that haunts a family from years ago, all sounds so good. This book really dragged on though. I finally called it quits at 64%. I just couldn’t do it anymore. All of the characters were unlikable, and not well developed. It took me until about 25% of the book to even know which character was which and how they fit into the family. The plot was so slow moving as well. I just truly did not care anymore what was going on or if we would ever find anything out. The troupe of filthy rich family with secrets is not my favorite, so maybe I should have assumed I wouldn’t enjoy this one.

**4/5 Stars – A Haunting, Atmospheric Tale**

Katy Hays’ *Saltwater* is a mesmerizing blend of gothic mystery and artistic obsession, set against the eerie backdrop of a crumbling coastal estate. Her lush, immersive prose brings the salty air and decaying beauty to life, weaving a story where creativity and madness blur. While some plot elements are predictable and certain character motivations could be deeper, the novel’s haunting atmosphere and slow-burning tension make it a captivating read. Fans of *The Cloisters* and gothic fiction will be drawn to its intoxicating mix of mystery and artistic ambition.

*4.5 stars rounded up*

Morals, motives, manipulation, money… murder?

The infamous Lingate family have maintained standard party lines for the past three decades in regards to the death of Sarah Lingate: it was a tragic accident, & no further comment. But this year when they return to the villa on the island of Capri (the one sitting atop the cliff that Sarah was found at the bottom of) things are different, & secret after secret starts to come to light…

The parallels between past & present, the controlling family, the claustrophobic island setting, & the recurring themes of rot & decay make this an interesting read to say the least, & then we have the multiple twists as we get to the truth of what really happened in 1992 (& what led up to it). The fallout from these discoveries is equally as riveting, & I’m happy to add this author to my keep-an-eye-out-for-future-work list!

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked on this book right from the start! The writing was sharp and the Capri setting and family dynamics were pitch perfect. The story jumped between two timelines and between different narrators in a way that kept me engaged and thinking over different scenarios, but didn’t feel confusing, which sometimes happens when an author juggles multiple plot lines. A few of the twists felt a tiny bit too unbelievable, but I lovers thrillers for the surprise, unreliable narrators, and suspense, not the hyper-realistic stories and this certainly delivered.

Such a good story! It was slow at parts but the island setting and the mysteries all made it so atmospheric and gripping! Didn’t see the twist coming at all!

Old money, family secrets. But money won’t keep secrets buried forever. In this twisty thriller you’ll meet the Lingate family and they’ll do anything to keep the mysterious death of Sarah from tarnishing their name. 30 years later while gathered at the very location of her death, a delivery is made to Helen, Sarah’s daughter, that opens up the past. Will they discover what really happened that night? Was it an accident or something sinister?

I absolutely loved this one! Very suspenseful, kept me on my toes and guessing until the end! And the twists?! Woah!

Katy Hays' Saltwater is the book that officially has brought me back to the mystery-thriller genre. I haven't been so engrossed in a mystery-thriller book in probably well over a year and this one has me wanting more of them now.

Saltwater focuses on the Lingate family. The Lingates are dysfunctional, highly problematic, and slightly depressed, and yet. I couldn't get enough of them. The book starts off with a news article about the death of Sarah Lingate. She leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, Helen, and a husband, Richard. The Lingates--Richard, Helen, Marcus, and Naomi--along with Lorna, Marcus' assistant and Helen's friend, travel to Capri, the city in which Sarah died in 1992. Helen and Lorna have a plan for Helen to break free from the Lingates, for reasons that become clearer the more you read. However, before the plan can be completed, Lorna is found dead. Her death sets in motion the reopening of the investigation into Sarah's death and this is when things get absolutely wild.

The book weaves through multiple points of view and the past and present. Some readers might find the change in viewpoint and time jarring, but I found it crucial to understanding the overall story. Katy does an incredible job keeping you on your toes throughout the entire book. I thought I had figured things out multiple times only to be proven wrong in the next chapter or so. I didn't see the ending coming and it left me wanting a sequel because it was that epic.

Without a doubt, pick up a copy of Saltwater. It takes a minute to get oriented with Katy's writing style, but once you do, you'll be hooked just like I was and unable to put the book down.

SALTWATER was a thrilling family drama about a rich family with a deadly secret: the mysterious death of Sarah Lingate on an island in Italy. While the beginning is a bit slow and the end a bit rushed, the book is a compulsive read and it becomes hard to put down the more you read.

I love a good thriller and drama about a family with too much money. That’s exactly what this book provides. It gives such vivid descriptions about Italy that it feels like you are there with the characters. It has thriller and mystery elements, but I would really describe this as a character focused novel and highlights the inner thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. I think the author did a great job fleshing all of these elements out in a way that was well written.

My only issue is it does take a bit to get into the book and I do feel like the ending was rushed a bit. The twists at the end of the book got me, even if I felt they were a bit unrealistic and, because the end was rushed, not explained as fully as I wanted.

Once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down and I truly think this is worth the read. I definitely recommend this for those that love mysteries, family drama, rich people problems, character driven novels, and well written books.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Isle of Capri, a beautiful but dangerous Mediterranean hotspot for the rich, sets the stage for a twisted family drama. It all begins in 1992 when playwright Sarah Lingate vanishes after a fight with her husband, Richard, during a family dinner. Richard returns alone to their villa, and Sarah is never seen again.

Fast forward 30 years, and Helen Lingate, Sarah's daughter, returns to Capri with her father, Richard, her uncle Marcus, aunt Naomi, and Marcus’s assistant, Lorna, for their annual vacation. Helen feels suffocated by her family and teams up with Lorna to escape, but things quickly spiral out of control. The family’s toxic dynamics—entitled, dangerous, and controlling—create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps you on edge.

The character development is top-notch, making the characters easy to visualize—even if you’ll probably dislike most of them. Katy Hays brings Capri to life with vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells, and the setting adds to the suspense with its steep cliffs and constant threat of disaster.

The plot is full of twists and turns, and there’s always the lingering question of who’s a friend and who’s a foe. The tension builds as you wonder why the family keeps returning to Capri after Sarah's disappearance. While I was hooked most of the time, I did feel the story dragged a little at points. There’s one twist that raised some questions, but it was still an unexpected surprise.

Overall, it’s a gripping read that kept me entertained, despite a few minor reservations.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Saltwater by Katy Hays is a gripping thriller that masterfully intertwines family secrets, betrayal, and the haunting beauty of Capri. The story centers on Helen Lingate, who returns to the island thirty years after her mother's mysterious death, only to find new evidence that reopens old wounds. Hays's vivid descriptions transport you to the sun-soaked cliffs and opulent villas, creating an atmospheric backdrop for the unfolding drama. While the plot is engaging and filled with unexpected twists, some readers might find the multiple timelines a bit challenging to navigate. Nonetheless, the complex characters and suspenseful narrative make this a compelling read. If you enjoyed Weyward, Saltwater offers a similarly immersive experience with its rich storytelling and intricate exploration of family dynamics.

Personally, I didn’t really enjoy the writing style of this one. It went back and forth from past to present, which doesn’t bother me usually, but something about the way it was done made it a little confusing and hard to follow. It just felt a little chaotic.

The story itself needed a bit more suspense too. I think a lot of people will like this one more than I did. For me, it just wasn’t my favorite read, but it is still readable.

Thanks to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Saltwater by Katy Hayes tells the story of the wealthy Lingate Family. 3 year old Helen’s mother is found at the bottom of a cliff in Capri. The story is told through multiple points of view. I didn’t really like the characters. The author did describe Capri very well and now I want to go travel there. It was a good story line that kept me reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Saltwater centers on the Lingate family, a wealthy family with some dark secrets, It is set on the island of Capri which I really appreciated. Sarah Lingate is found dead on the rocks below the cliffs in Capri. She leaves behind a daughter, Helen who is only three years old. Now, thirty years later, the Lingates are in Capri and a necklace that Sarah was wearing when she died is sent to the Lingate family home. No one knows who sent it, but it stirs up the past enough that people, especially Helen, start asking questions.

This was a slow burn thriller. Very atmospheric in nature. The Capri setting is beautiful and descriptive, the perfect place for wealthy family drama. I typically prefer a faster paced thriller, but was not turned off by this slower story. I really enjoyed how the story came together at the end.

I would recommend it for people that enjoy rich people behaving badly, an island setting, and family drama or domestic thriller. For fans of B.A. Paris, Lucy Foley and/or Ruth Ware,

The whiplash I had from all the twists in this captivating and atmospheric thriller!!

Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs on Capri in 1992. Her death is ruled an accident. The wealthy Lingate family continues their yearly vacation on the island but on the 30th anniversary of Sarah's death, the necklace she was wearing the night she died is delivered to their villa. The secrets that come pouring out will leave them gasping for air...

Did I immediately want to book a trip to Capri while reading this? Absolutely yes. There are few micro-tropes I love more than the 'rich-behaving-badly' when murder and a beautiful island are also involved. Talk about FAMILY DRAMA. Even though the story is a slow burn build-up in the beginning, I was still so interested to figure out what really happened to Sarah and Lorna. And boy was I wrong with my predictions! All the delicious and scandalous secrets just continue to pour out, especially in the last 20%. The storytelling is so riveting with dual timelines and multiple narrators. WHO is lying and who can you trust?! I was HOOKED! One cool little detail - the timeline of Sarah's death occurs on my birthday, July 19.

This book will be a perfect beach read. If you loved LADYKILLER by Katherine Wood, you'll love the suspenseful escape of SALTWATER.

I really enjoyed this book! There were so many elements that hooked me. A rich family hiding secrets, a decades old murder, and it’s all set on the beautiful island of Capri. It definitely met my expectations for the genre, and I loved the fact that one of the characters was a playwright. (I love reading anything about writers.) The characters felt real, their relationships complex and infuriating. The entire Lindgate family were super entitled. I rooted for Sarah, Helen, and Ciro the most, especially after reading the past timeline chapters. The rest of the family were loathsome, (especially Naomi) which made the ending so satisfying.

There’s a disturbing scene in the marina when Helen and a couple of crew members spot a body floating in the water, and it reminded me of a scene from The Talented Mr. Ripley. Very dark and vivid. I loved all the reveals, but a lot happened in the last 70% of the novel which actually slowed the pace for me (except for the huge twist). The end felt satisfying to learn what happened to the assistant, and also Helen and Ciro’s relationship. An awesome novel! I can’t wait to pick up The Cloisters now.

4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For readers looking for the ultimate beach thriller, and who love twisty stories about dysfunctional rich families.