This tense psychological thriller is a twisty, slow burn that culminates in whiplash-inducing reveals. The Lingate family was involved in a decades-old mysterious death on the island of Capri, continuing to return each year on the anniversary of the death. It's giving serious White Lotus vibes: Ridiculously wealthy adults behaving badly in a stunning locale. They are ruthless, reckless, and none are to be trusted. I couldn't put it down. A delicious sophomore effort!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This had so much potential but it just fell flat for me

This writing style is different for me, but I THINK I liked it. I finished this one a few weeks ago and am still kind of processing my thoughts. The story itself was fantastic, though it did feel like kind of a slower start to me. It did begin to pick up as the story progressed, which I appreciated. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the characters were written and enjoyed the mystery aspect. This plot was great. I'll be picking up more reads from this author in the future.

I will read ANY book that takes place in Italy. So many secrets! So much drama! This was a twisty thriller that had me guessing until the end.

I’m adding this to my personal canon of “books that make me want to go to Italy, even though the characters are miserable there.” Set in Capri, this is a family drama/thriller, about a daughter seeking to find out what caused her mother’s death years prior. It’s told through multiple perspectives, though mainly via Helen, the daughter, and Lorna, Helen’s friend & an employee of Helen’s family, who goes missing. I found this well-paced and character-driven, with enough exciting plot turns that kept me flipping the pages. The descriptions of the location are gorgeous and there are layered characters who all have secrets to be found out. This is another addition to the “rich people behaving badly” subgenre of thrillers/fiction and it does what it sets out to do well.

I could not put this book down! "Salt Water" is one of those books that makes you remember why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Broken into two parts, the story starts off introducing the characters and their backstories, giving the reader a slow trip[ down memory lane, trying to put together the pieces of Lorna's disappearance and Sarah's deaths. Then in part two, family revelations are kicked into overdrive, revealing twist after twist until the very end. I'd recommend this to every single person I know and frankly wish I could read again for the first time!

"Saltwater" by Katy Hays is an evocative exploration of memory and identity set against a coastal backdrop. Hays' lyrical prose beautifully captures the complexities of relationships and the struggle for self-acceptance. The characters are well-developed, each bringing depth to the narrative as they navigate their intertwined lives. The pacing is a bit slow at times, which may not appeal to all readers, but the vivid imagery and emotional resonance make it worthwhile. Overall, it's a poignant read that lingers long after the last page, offering reflections on love, loss, and the power of place. A solid four-star experience.

'In 1992 Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen.'

Saltwater was my first by Hays and it didn't exactly grip me or blow my hair back, what with the slow burn and the time it took for me to finally become invested. However, the writing was lovely and I've always been fond of multiple POV's and alternating timelines and a worthy twist.
I look forward to reading her future work.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books & NetGalley for this arc!

Pub date: 3.25.25

This was a satisfying mystery. I loved the setting; it made me want to go to Italy immediately. The author did a wonderful job of crafting characters with many layers and secrets.
I was able to guess a few of the twists, but I thought the story was set up very well. The Lingates are powerful and formidable, but they are also flawed and weak. Helen was an interesting character in that I did not always understand why she made the choices she did. I also enjoyed Lorna's perspective. Money makes people do crazy things.
Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

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

*Katy Hays’ *Saltwater* is an enthralling and atmospheric thriller that masterfully intertwines family secrets, long-buried mysteries, and the haunting beauty of Capri. Set against the backdrop of a tragic death thirty years prior, Hays crafts a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story centers around Helen Lingate, who, after a lifetime of overshadowing family trauma and suspicion surrounding her mother Sarah's death, finds herself confronting her family's dark legacy. The return of the Lingate family to their villa on the anniversary of Sarah's death brings not only the return of painful memories but also the shocking discovery of the necklace Sarah was wearing that fateful night. Hays expertly builds tension as Helen enlists the help of Lorna, the family assistant, to navigate the intricate web of deceit and paranoia within her family.

Hays’ writing is rich and evocative, perfectly capturing the allure and peril of the island setting. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own complexities and motives that add depth to the unfolding mystery. The exploration of family dynamics—particularly the power struggles and hidden resentments—adds an emotional layer that elevates the story beyond a mere thriller.

As secrets begin to unravel and tensions escalate, the plot twists are both surprising and satisfying, leaving readers eager to piece together the puzzle alongside Helen. The interplay between past and present is beautifully executed, allowing the haunting memories of that tragic night to inform the present-day narrative.

Overall, *Saltwater* is a captivating read that combines a gripping mystery with a poignant exploration of family and identity. Katy Hays has created a compelling page-turner that will resonate with fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction alike. This novel is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that is both thrilling and deeply immersive. You won’t want to put it down!

This has dueling timelines which I always find a little tricky to keep track of in my brain, but this was done really well!
The first third of the book was a little slow, but the last third was wild! Twist after twist!

The main characters were a little unlikeable other than the protagonist, but I did like reading all of their points of view as the novel wore on.

Pros: surprising twists that kept you on your toes, quick read, neat setting

Cons: Rich people are horrible

B+/4⭐️

The novel bounces between the 1990s and current time, which did take me a moment to keep straight with the character but then I flew! So many secrets intertwined within this Lingate family. It definitely kept the pages turning as I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. Family drama galore which made the end a complete surprise!

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

The writing sucked me in right from the start and I was all in for this mystery/family drama/suspense novel set primarily in Capri. Most of the characters belong to an established wealthy family used to getting what they want at all costs. I liked the different perspectives and varied timeline.
Most importantly I did not predict the ending, which did not disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Opinion: Calling all thriller readers: you’re going to love this one.As the days get darker, you can definitely turn to this thrill ride set in Capri. You’ll almost want to be there but definitely not with this family. It gives sunny beaches, luxurious people and rich eat the rich vibes. It’s a fast read simply because you will want to know how it ends.

Summary: 30 years ago Sarah Lingate was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Capri. Sarah came from a wealthy family and left behind a three year old daughter, Helen.

The Lingate’s return to the island for their annual vacation. However, things are not as they seem and soon they will all learn the truth about what really happened to Sarah. Thank you @netgalley for THE ARC! Pub date: March 25, 2025. Put a reminder on your calendars for this one 🏖️

Beautiful setting on the island of Capri ✅
Mysterious death ✅
Lots of secrets✅
Shocking twists ✅
Rich people family drama ✅✅✅

This book takes place on the island of Capri following an excessively secretive family. The story plays out through multiple timelines and POVs. We have the mysterious death of Sarah, the wife of Richard Lingate from an “old money” family, in the 90s and her daughter, Helen in current day. The writing quality is great. The descriptions of Capri made me want to jump on a plane and go immediately. Secrets are slowly revealed throughout the book keeping me wanting more. Some were very predictable BUT I was not ready for that twist at the end. Very good.

My only negative is the way the timeline of the story is presented is confusing at times. Timelines change back forth from chapter to chapter and there’s flashbacks within the current day chapters. I would have preferred one or the other.

If you like the rich people family drama trope with unlikable characters, I think this book is a winner for you.

I didn't get terribly far - the beginning was so confusing. I finally had to write down the names of the characters and their relationships to each other. But even that didn't help move the story along. I know Hays put a lot of time into this novel and I had to be a negative reviewer - but it just wasn't for me. I think other people will find the complete opposite true.

This was a bit of a slow and confusing start with just some tidbits thrown at us before the story really begins to unravel. But when it does, it's like a runaway train.
I had a lot of thoughts about what the heck was going on and then by the end, my flabber was gasted. This was a great read.

Hays has developed their voice significantly. Masterfully examining the outsider in a new world, this differs from _The Cloisters_ in a good way. The drama is still there but the mystery just works better overall.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

This story was intriguing, but slow reading. The beginning was what brought down my review. It starts off very vague, and a bit confusing, with lots of characters and dribs and drabs of information. For some, this will be the hook that gets them into the story. For me, it made it slow. But, it did pick up and I enjoyed the mystery. Plus the island of Capri sounds gorgeous! I didn't love all the characters, but I suppose I wasn't meant to!
Overall, an interesting thriller with some nice twists.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

End at 15%. I’m bummed!! It sounded so good, the reviews are great! But I just couldn’t get hooked. It’s a very dry writing style that my brain just cannot latch onto. I didn’t find any character particularly interesting, I was looking for any reason to keep going and I just couldn’t find one.