Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

I was not ready for this book!! I mean 4 (5?) murders, intrigue, lies, adultery, illegitimate children? This one has it all. And you don't even know what is going on most of the time! It's a slow start, but about halfway through it really takes off!

The rich Wingate family has been going to Capri every year for years, even though 30 years ago one of their own was found dead under mysterious circumstances. But tradition is strong and the gossip cannot win, so each year they return.

Now the dead woman's child, Helen, who was only three and left behind in California when the accident happened, has had enough of the strict control the family has on her and every facet of her life. So she decides to break away with the help of a new friend, Lorna, her uncle's assistant. But things do not go as planned and Lorna disappears with the money they had planned to share. A few days later her body is fished from the sea and with a sense of deja vu everything begins to unravel. Who pushed her into the water? Or was she pushed? Where is the money she was collecting the last time she was seen? And where are all the secrets she had so carefully hidden away? And why did she have a pregnancy test in her bag?

As the whole story unravels, there are surprises and then there are SHOCKS. In the end, when the dust settles, you wonder just who is at fault and who wins?

Not my usual genre at all so I sure people who read these types of books might have a different or stronger opinion. I liked it, lots of twists & turns, some I maybe thought would play out & other things I did not see coming.
It moved quickly for me, I really disliked many of the main characters. Loved the setting of Capri.

This is my second Hayes book and her writing style is very poignant and paints such a luxurious picture. The setting for this book is Capri, Italy and that was a great landscape for this family and her writing style.

We follow a wealthy family on their annual vacation, which is sort of a memorial to a loved one, Sarah, they lost at this destination. The narration switch is between three people and one of them is a family employee, Lorena, who is traveling with them and they’ve said she should be part of the family, but it’s hard for her to fit. We learn Lorna has disappeared while on this trip and as we get deeper into each chapter, the pieces begin to form of why she went missing, and what exactly happened, as well as uncover some family secrets from the original death.

Perfect for fans of White Lotus and Agatha Christie. 🌊🔎

Sarah Lingate was found dead in 1992 below the cliffs of Capri. Her death was ruled an accident and the case was closed. She left behind her husband and three year old daughter, Helen. The family visits Capri every year and on the 30th anniversary they are in for a surprise of their life. The necklace that Sarah was wearing when she died was in a box for Helen. Now the investigation is opening back up – what really happened to Sarah?

I found this book really hard to get into. It was filled with a lot of in depth details that kind of weighed the chapters down. I really wanted the chapters to fly with mystery and suspense, but it felt like it was taking so long for the set up. I think it was part a pacing issue and partly an issue with the dual timelines. I don’t mind dual timelines, but it has to be done well, and here it got a bit messy.

I will say, I did enjoy the twists – and there were a few of them. A few of them I did see coming after some of the other ones were revealed, BUT some of them were a bit shocking. That part of the book was enjoyable. Once those started happening, it was easy to get through the pages. So while I did struggle with the beginning of the book, the book did eventually pick up, and it was pretty good.

Saltwater by Katy Hays

I found the first part of this story, while not exactly chaotic, rather hard to follow. The gist of the story is that daughter Helen Lingate, the poor little rich girl of the extremely wealthy Lingate family, is eager to separate herself from her clan.

The family vacations every year on the island of Capri around the time of her mother’s death. Helen has become close to her uncle Marcus’s
assistant Logan and considers her a close friend, of which she has few due to family restrictions on her.

There is a lot of drinking, partying and lounging on Capri during this week. Helen and Logan comprise a plan to help Helen gain her freedom from their clutches. So much talk of money! The second half settles into more of a story of interest to the reader, to find the truth of what really happened to Helen’s mother, but all in all, I cannot find any reason to give more than three stars to this novel. Even a few hard to swallow twists and turns at the end didn’t change my mind.

This was my first @NetGalley #ARC and I ate this up! What a great thriller! Rich people behaving badly, a beautiful setting, family secrets, and the twists just kept coming! This would make a great beach read for vacay or for this summer!

this is definitely going to be the beach read of the summer (I think this is actually the first novel I’ve read this year). what’s not to love? murder, mystery, wealth, intrigue, control issues, agency… plus the glittering island gem that is capri. two underestimated women go about trying to solve a murder in the past and insuring their futures. it’s dark, it’s twisty, there’s more than one surprise at the end. I finished it in a night. go pick it up and start working on your tan.

Just so you know up front, I might come back and make this a 5 star rating. This book was so atmospheric and the sense of doom, mental claustrophobia, and foreboding was persuasive! The story was like a Greek tragedy, but taking place in Italy. So much plot! Character development might have been the outlier here that keeps it from being a 5 star read. Most characters were pretty surface level. All the connections seemed too convenient and the reader never seemed to get to know them more than what was needed for the story. But, the drama kept me hooked and turning pages! Oh and for once I truly appreciated and enjoyed those extra chapters at the end that helped to tie everything up! Guess that means there is always an exception to the rule!

ETA: I've seen the alternative title (Vipers) and cover and wish that was ours. It truly does a much better job of matching the tone and feel of the book. The Saltwater cover is way too bright and cheerful.

I love stories about rich people behaving badly, and this book delivers. It’s a great beach read with White Lotus / Perfect Couple vibes.

Katy Hays writes really vivid locations - in Saltwater, you can see the waves pounding against the cliffs and smell the salt air. Hays always sets a perfect mood for her books.

This book follows multiple POVs and takes place during two time periods. In the past, we follow the days leading up to Sarah Lingate’s death at the base of Capri’s treacherous cliffs 30 years ago. In the present, Sarah’s daughter and the rest of her family arrive for their annual visit to Capri. The arrival of a mysterious package suggests there may be new evidence in Sarah Lingate’s death.

Thus begins a twisty thriller filled with deception, blackmail, and truly dark secrets.
Everyone in Capri knows that some families are so rich they can get away with anything…

Ultimately, I feel like this book went one twist too far. But I couldn’t put it down, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a fun summer read.

I love a book about rich people who I don’t like! Saltwater is an excellent look at the inside lives of the wealthy and they’re morals or lack thereof. Hays did a beautiful job evoking the background of Capri and the dichotomy between the wealthy who vacation there and the tourists who day trip. I am fascinated by how well Hays described the wealthy in America, our desire for wealth and our uncomfortability with wealth. I loved Hays first book Cloisters, and I continue to enjoy her writing in her second book, Saltwater!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will definitely be reading this book again in the future. It kept my attention the whole time, and I did not see that ending coming. Wonderful mystery story about family.

"No one holds a grudge like family."
Saltwater by Katy Hays is a gripping thriller that explores the intricacies of family and looks at the layers of secrets that they keep.
Thirty years ago Sarah Lingate was found dead underneath a cliff in Capri Italy. Police and locals are suspicious but the wealthy Lingates are investigated and let go to return home. Every year they return to Capri on the anniversary of Sarah's death for vacation, including Sarah's daughter Helen who was three at the time of her mother's death. Now thirty years later when the Lingates arrive on the island, Helen wants to know more about who her mother really was and what happened to lead to her death. When a necklace that Sarah was wearing the night she died arrives, dark family secrets are revealed. But someone is willing to do anything to keep them hidden.

I really like this book! The first part of the novel is slow but definitely stick with it! Towards the end you will understand the buildup. Little clues are sprinkled throughout and only after I finished the book was I able to connect everything together. The dual timeline and multiple POVs were outstanding and really lead up to that final twist at the end! Definitely recommend for fans of White Lotus and slow burn thrillers with shocking twists!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katy Hays, and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC. Release day is March 25th 2025.

SALTWATER by Katy Hayes is a twisty thriller set on island of Capri in Italy. It follows a wealthy family that returns to a luxury villa on the island every year, despite losing one of their own to a tragic death years ago. In 1992, renowned playwright, Sarah Lingate, is found dead beneath the cliffs of Capri while visiting the island with her husband’s family, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Suspicion swirls around the family, but Sarah’s death is eventually ruled an accident. On the thirtieth anniversary of Sarah’s death, the family returns to the villa, bringing along Lorna Moreno, a family assistant. The family is thrown into a tailspin when the necklace Sarah was wearing when she died mysteriously reappears. When Lorna vanishes and is later found dead, the decades-old murder mystery resurfaces, making everyone who was present thirty years ago a suspect once again. Alternating between the past and present and told from the points of view of several characters, long-buried secrets are revealed and family drama is at a peak. This is a chilling story of wealth, power, manipulation and betrayal in a vividly- described and atmospheric setting. Full of twists and turns, it kept my attention right up to the shocking ending. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Beautiful Setting. Atrocious People. Maybe Someone Will See The Light. This is one of those tales where there aren't really too many "good" people - even the people you ostensibly want to root for are doing some very *bad* things! But the imagery of the beautiful Italian islands is absolutely stunning and well done... and even make it a point to play into the endgame, which is always appreciated.

While the book *does* start rather slow, stick with it. It is no Great Gatsby where the first x amount of it is an utter snooze fest that is more apt to put you to sleep rather than keep you up all night... but it *does* get to the "keep you up all night" level. Eventually. And then it keeps you there until damn near the last word of the tale.

Overall a fun book of its type, one with enough to keep you invested and take you to somewhere not where you are. (Unless you happen to be on said Italian islands. Then... maybe read something else if you want to be transported somewhere else? :D) Actually a rather good beach/ cruise read due to the setting at minimum.

Very much recommended.

I don't even know to start with this book. It drew me in from page one and I couldn't put it down. The author does a phenomenal job drawing. You into the characters and the suspense starts immediately on page one. Following this family as they try to navigate the journey of their dead mother and how's she died. I'm not sure I can even put into words, how great this book really is. I cannot encourage you enough to put this on your tbr or read it immediately.

Saltwater by Katy Hays begins with Sarah Lingate's suspicious death in Capri, Italy, and her wealthy family, including her now-adult daughter Helen, returning for the 30th anniversary of her death. The Lingates arrive and find the necklace that Sarah was wearing when she dies, and Helen decides this is the time to finally figure out what happened to her mother thirty years ago. This is a solid summer thriller, great for a warm vacation (which I also saved this arc for) with its White Lotus-esque world, rich family drama, and strong depiction of Capri. Hays keeps you guessing as twists unfold without going off the rails, and continues peeling back the layers of the Lingate family, looking at privilege, wealth, and the secrets that a family keeps.

Moody, atmospheric, and full of slow-burning tension, Salt Water delivers a gripping family mystery set on the sun-drenched cliffs of Capri. The writing is vivid, the setting lush, and the unraveling of secrets deeply satisfying. While the pacing lags in places and a few twists stretch believability, this is a rich, character-driven thriller perfect for fans of The White Lotus or The Secret History.

I did really love the idea of this book - murder, mystery, family drama - talk about a trifecta. At first, I was sucked in. Then I was confused and had a hard time staying interested. Maybe it was the timeline. I think that was more of a me problem than the author or writing! I enjoyed the ending and will give this a re-read on my next vacation and pay better attention to details. 3.5 stars for Saltwater and I'll be adding Katy Hays' debut to my TBR.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Katy Hays, and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange of my honest review.

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
This story masterfully mixes deeply buried secrets, drama of a wealthy dysfunctional family, that takes place with on the beautiful city of Capri. A daughter hunting for answers about her mothers death many years ago, while trying to get her freedom from a family that keeps her on a tight leash. Another murder occurs while they are there on this years family trip. Everyone is a suspect and all the family members have their secrets that they'll protect at all costs. While parts of this book dragged for me, overall I really enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing.

Ok this was a good one and am assuming it’ll be a BOTM pick etc etc for the summer. It’s white lotus rich people murdering each other while drinking champagne in Capri and so many juicy twists (that I actually didn’t see coming!) coming out TOMORROW 3/25 I suggest you pick it up!