Saltwater by Katy Hays

Rich people up to no good.

I was a massive fan of Katy Hays' The Cloisters. The tarot cards, the academic nature of the entire book—it hit all of my sweet spots. For her second novel, Saltwater, Hays takes us to Capri. It's sunny and beautiful, and it's the Lingates' home away from home, even though Sarah Lingate was found dead in 1992.

At the time of her death, her husband, Richard, and his brother, Marcus, were both investigated for murder, but there was no evidence. Plus, it helps that the Lingates are old money. Old money and family history that rules over everything.

Sarah has one child, 3-year old Helen. For the rest of Helen's life, she was protected and kept on a tight leash. She shopped where she was allowed. She ate where she was allowed. She went to school where her father wanted because she could live at home and he could keep a watchful eye.

Thirty years later, the Lingates arrive at the same white villa in Capri as they have for the last thirty years to remember Sarah and squeeze in a vacation rubbing elbows with other old-money families. Helen's boyfriend has come along this year, as has Marcus' assistant, Lorna.

Lorna has secrets of her own, but she and Helen have connected during her time with Marcus. They have been working on a plan of escape, one that will benefit both of them. When the family wakes up and Lorna is missing, all of the lies and old money secrets start to dissolve.

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One of the things that I enjoyed about both The Cloisters and Saltwater was the way that Hays laid out the story. With Saltwater, duel timelines and multiple POVs help expand the story, adding depth and intrigue to the mystery of both disappearances.

There are a ton of red herrings, and I was constantly wondering who did what and to whom. Each reveal was better than the one before, and the final reveal took this from a four-star to a five-star read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.