Saltwater: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Cloisters comes a slow-burn psychological drama about an opulent family that unravels when a decades-old crime resurfaces.
“Full of chills and darkness.”—Oprah Daily
“Fans of family dramas and thrillers will devour this tense, suspenseful novel.”—Woman’s World
In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, Italy, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Despite suspicions that the old-money Lingates are involved, Sarah’s death is ruled an accident. And every year, the family returns to prove it’s true. But on the thirtieth anniversary of her death, the Lingates arrive at the villa to find a surprise waiting for them—the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died.
Haunted by the specter of that night, the paranoid, insular Lingate family begins to crack, and Helen seizes the opportunity with the help of Lorna Moreno, the family assistant. But then Lorna disappears, and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened. Everyone who was on Capri thirty years ago remains a suspect—Helen’s controlling father, Richard; her rarely lucid aunt, Naomi; her distant uncle, Marcus; and their circle of friends, visitors, and staff. Even Lorna, her closest ally, may not be who she seems. As long-hidden secrets about that night boil to surface, one thing becomes clear: Not everyone will leave the island alive.
Combining a glittering, dark atmosphere, morally-gray characters, and mind-bending twists, Saltwater is an exploration of the corrupting effects of generational privilege and the lengths people go to protect a legacy—and how no one can hold a grudge like family.
“Full of chills and darkness.”—Oprah Daily
“Fans of family dramas and thrillers will devour this tense, suspenseful novel.”—Woman’s World
In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, Italy, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Despite suspicions that the old-money Lingates are involved, Sarah’s death is ruled an accident. And every year, the family returns to prove it’s true. But on the thirtieth anniversary of her death, the Lingates arrive at the villa to find a surprise waiting for them—the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died.
Haunted by the specter of that night, the paranoid, insular Lingate family begins to crack, and Helen seizes the opportunity with the help of Lorna Moreno, the family assistant. But then Lorna disappears, and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened. Everyone who was on Capri thirty years ago remains a suspect—Helen’s controlling father, Richard; her rarely lucid aunt, Naomi; her distant uncle, Marcus; and their circle of friends, visitors, and staff. Even Lorna, her closest ally, may not be who she seems. As long-hidden secrets about that night boil to surface, one thing becomes clear: Not everyone will leave the island alive.
Combining a glittering, dark atmosphere, morally-gray characters, and mind-bending twists, Saltwater is an exploration of the corrupting effects of generational privilege and the lengths people go to protect a legacy—and how no one can hold a grudge like family.
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Community Reviews
In July 1992, playwright Sarah Lingate goes missing from their holiday villa. The previous evening, the wealthy family attended a celebratory dinner where Sarah and her husband Richard reportedly had a disagreement, and Richard returned to Casa Malaparte alone. In the present day, 30 years after her mother‘s death, Helen Lingate, her boyfriend Freddy, her father Richard, uncle Marcus, aunt Naomi, along with Marcus‘s assistant Lorna, are back on Capri for their annual vacation. Helen is feeling constrained within the family dynamics and, along with Lorna, has devised a plan to gain independence. However, their actions have unforeseen consequences.
The characters are vividly described, making them easy to visualize. The plot is tense, mysterious, claustrophobic, and conspiratorial from the beginning. It is clear that a dynamic of cat and mouse is at play, raising questions about who is in control and who is not, as well as who is trustworthy. This scenario evolves into a game of survival, growing increasingly intense. Questions arise about why the family continues to return to Capri after Sarah's disappearance. The narrative keeps readers engaged and seeking answers, though it may feel somewhat prolonged.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It begins slowly with many questions but becomes a twisty ride once you get into it.
I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for providing the advanced copy, and to Katy Hays for delivering an excellent story.
The characters are vividly described, making them easy to visualize. The plot is tense, mysterious, claustrophobic, and conspiratorial from the beginning. It is clear that a dynamic of cat and mouse is at play, raising questions about who is in control and who is not, as well as who is trustworthy. This scenario evolves into a game of survival, growing increasingly intense. Questions arise about why the family continues to return to Capri after Sarah's disappearance. The narrative keeps readers engaged and seeking answers, though it may feel somewhat prolonged.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It begins slowly with many questions but becomes a twisty ride once you get into it.
I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for providing the advanced copy, and to Katy Hays for delivering an excellent story.
The group found the book easy to read and enjoyed the Capri setting, though many felt the characters were one-dimensional. They discussed the plot twists and unresolved threads, questioning the plausibility of the storyline and some narrative choices. Themes of wealth and family dynamics sparked interest, but character relatability was limited, with particular concern over the silenced or symbolic roles of certain figures. The shifting narration and use of flashbacks divided opinion, with mixed views on how well these devices engaged the reader. Overall, while the book prompted lively debate, it was received more as light reading than a deeply satisfying novel.
4 stars
If you like a slow burn murder mystery filled with rich people behaving badly, lots of family drama, twists you do and don't see coming, and the seductive setting of Capri; you may enjoy this book. The multiple perspectives and timelines did make it difficult to follow at times; I had to keep looking back to the beginning of chapters to see whose perspective I was in, but for me the rocky structure was worth the story being told. I would definitely read another Katy Hays novel in the future.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Ballantine Books of Penguin Random House for this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you like a slow burn murder mystery filled with rich people behaving badly, lots of family drama, twists you do and don't see coming, and the seductive setting of Capri; you may enjoy this book. The multiple perspectives and timelines did make it difficult to follow at times; I had to keep looking back to the beginning of chapters to see whose perspective I was in, but for me the rocky structure was worth the story being told. I would definitely read another Katy Hays novel in the future.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Ballantine Books of Penguin Random House for this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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