Saltwater A Novel
Saltwater, a novel by Katy Hays, is set to be published by Random House on March 25, 2025. This 336-page work delves into the complexities of an opulent family as they confront a decades-old crime that resurfaces, unraveling their carefully maintained facade. The story begins with the mysterious death of Sarah Lingate in 1992, which is ruled an accident despite lingering suspicions about her wealthy family. As the thirtieth anniversary of her death approaches, the Lingate family returns to their villa in Capri, only to find a shocking reminder of that fateful night.
Readers will find a slow-burn psychological drama filled with tension and suspense as the family grapples with long-buried secrets and paranoia. The narrative follows Helen, Sarah’s daughter, who, alongside family assistant Lorna Moreno, seeks to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. However, as Lorna disappears, the investigation intensifies, revealing that everyone present on Capri that night is a potential suspect. Saltwater explores themes of generational privilege and familial loyalty, presenting morally ambiguous characters and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged until the final pages.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.
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