Lifestyles of the ungodly rich might seem aspirational, but they’re also highly secretive. You’re either behind the curtain, or you’re not, and they want as few people behind it as possible. Sometimes they even leave their own children unenlightened…until their hand is forced.
The Lingate’s traditional summer holiday is to the Italian island of Capri. It’s beautiful, but the coastline is almost completely hard, jagged cliff-facing. Dangerous – which they know better than most, since one of their own tumbled to her death there in the 90s. 30 years later they haven’t stopped their annual pilgrimage, and neither have the questions about Sarah’s untimely death. Money can buy a lot, but can it get away with murder?
This novel isn’t as quickly paced as a typical thriller, but it is suspenseful, mysterious, twisted, and tangled. There is generational drama and several potential suspects. It turns into a curiosity about one crime and turns into an investigation into another. And what a spectacular, picturesque setting!
The characters in this book aren’t exactly likeable, but they do inspire curiosity. What motivates people as powerful as these? Where are their weaknesses? Why have they made the decisions they’ve done, and what might compel them to reveal the truth of what happened 30 years ago?
I found myself very engaged with this story. I wasn’t sure where it was going, but there was enough intrigue from the first pages to keep me studying all the information presented, ready for anything. There are several characters with motivations to find out more about Sarah’s death, and just as many prepared to guard their secrets about her. It was really skillfully executed, and I wasn’t expecting quite as many twists as were revealed by the end.
Saltwater would make a great vacation read, an engrossing sick-day or weekend read, or it might just add some intrigue into your regular reading lineup. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Saltwater
Author:: Katy Hays
Genre:: Contemporary Suspense Thriller
Publisher:: Ballantine Books
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 11h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Audiobook Publisher:: Random House Audio
Published:: March 25th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
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