Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your reaction to the final twists revealing that both Sarah and Lorna were alive? Did these reveals surprise you? Were there any details to hint at this ending?

2. Saltwater fits into the popular “eat the rich” genre of thrillers. How did you feel it compared to other stories you’ve seen or read with similar themes, such as the TV series The White Lotus?

3. Which character’s journey resonated with you the most, even if you didn’t agree with their choices? Was it Helen’s gradual transformation, Lorna’s calculated survival, or Sarah’s long game of revenge and protection?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The Lingates live a life that is a constant performance of wealth and status. Think about a time you felt pressure to project a certain image to meet social or professional expectations. How did you feel in that situation?

2. Lorna’s ultimate philosophy is to “always, no matter the price, save myself first.” (322) What was your gut reaction to this statement when you read it? Do you think her philosophy is applicable in real life? Have you ever faced a situation where you had to put your own needs above those of others?

3. What do you make of the connection the novel draws between financial independence and personal freedom, particularly for its female characters? Do you see money as a tool for freedom or a burden to be maintained in your own life?

4. How did you feel about Sarah’s choice to assume Renata’s identity and watch Helen from afar for 30 years? Could you see yourself making a similar sacrifice? What might you do differently to stay safe while maintaining some semblance of your former life?

5. Helen and Lorna’s friendship is a complex mix of genuine solidarity and strategic self-interest. Analyzing your own friendships, have you ever felt like there was a layer of conflicting interests that you had to overlook? Is there still value in a friendship rooted in self-interest?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Lingates’ story is built on a lie about how their fortune was acquired by swindling a wildcatter’s widow. What commentary do you think the novel is making about “old money” and the often-hidden, predatory origins of great family fortunes?

2. In what ways does the book use its glamorous Italian setting to critique the behavior of the ultra-wealthy? How do the myths and physical dangers of the Amalfi Coast mirror the moral landscape of the Lingate family?

3. The Lingates consistently use their power to influence legal outcomes and control public narratives, from the investigation into Sarah’s death to the disappearance of Lorna. Where do you see echoes of this dynamic in contemporary society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How did the novel’s structure, with its shifting perspectives and timelines, impact your experience as a reader? Did it create a sense of suspense for you, or did you find it challenging to keep track of all the secrets and lies?

2. What is the significance of the cut on Ciro’s hand? This detail is never fully explained, so do you accept Ciro’s explanation that he cut his hand while fishing? Why or why not?

3. Sarah’s play, Saltwater, is a powerful story within the story. How does the novel use a work within the work to emphasize its core themes? How might the play have impacted the story if some excerpts were included in the text?

4. How does the recurring motif of inebriation affect our reading of the text? All of the characters seem to either actively drink and take drugs or have a history of substance use, but does this have any impact on their reliability?

5. The guide identifies Survival by Adopting the Enemy’s Tactics as a key theme. In what ways do Helen’s and Lorna’s final actions represent the ultimate expression of this theme, and what moral questions does this raise about their escapes? Does the novel ultimately support or reject the need for their behavior?

6. Lorna and Helen’s successful escapes through reinvention are ultimately successful. How do their character arcs compare to other literary figures who use deception to navigate high society, such as Tom Ripley in Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955)?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to cast a film adaptation of Saltwater, who would you choose to play Helen, Lorna, Sarah, and Naomi? What qualities would each actor need to bring to capture the essence of their character?

2. What do you imagine happens in the first real conversation between Helen and her mother, Sarah, after the full truth is revealed? What questions do you think they would ask each other after 30 years of deception?

3. Imagine you’re designing the cover for a new edition of Saltwater. Which symbol from the book would you feature, and how would you depict it to capture the novel’s mood?