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Frankie Elkin #4
Kiss Her Goodbye
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner returns with the 4th installment in her bestselling Frankie Elkin series, in which Frankie is called to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan refugee, whose friend suspects she is in grave danger, before it is too late.
A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren't so easy to escape.
Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.
Frankie quickly realizes there's much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl's short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family's horrific past.
Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
Frankie is about to find out.
A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren't so easy to escape.
Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.
Frankie quickly realizes there's much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl's short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family's horrific past.
Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
Frankie is about to find out.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2025
1259 people are currently reading
36354 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Gardner
79 books20.1k followersLisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 678 reviews
August 12, 2025
Kiss Her Goodbye is the 4th in the Frankie Elkin series. I'm not sure how I missed #2, but I loved this one and#1 & #3. Lisa Gardner is an amazing author and pulls you into the mystery she writes. This one was a lot different from the others, but I found so much interest in the Afghan refugees. The beginning of the story is about Sabera and her family living in refugee camps after the Taliban's encroachment on Kabul. She came from a very wealthy family and all of her family is now dead. She now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and three year old daughter.
Frankie gets a call from Sabera's friend Aliah to come to Arizona to help solve the disappearance of Sabera, who has been missing for 3 weeks and the police are not searching for her. She looks for a home that is affordable since she is broke and the only thing she could find is to be a house sitter with reptiles. Yikes!! No way!! Frankie's investigation begins with camera footage of a brutal scene which involves a double murder and Sabera leaving the scene. There are a few back stories that slow the rhythm but when it kicks back in Gardner style you can't look away. It is written in the present and past of Sabera journaling in her diary, which is sad and emotional. This is great other than the slow burn through some parts. It can be read as a stand alone. Like I said, I missed #2 but have picked up each one as an individual and it makes perfect sense with her description and catch up to get the reader on track. Her books are so enjoyable!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Frankie gets a call from Sabera's friend Aliah to come to Arizona to help solve the disappearance of Sabera, who has been missing for 3 weeks and the police are not searching for her. She looks for a home that is affordable since she is broke and the only thing she could find is to be a house sitter with reptiles. Yikes!! No way!! Frankie's investigation begins with camera footage of a brutal scene which involves a double murder and Sabera leaving the scene. There are a few back stories that slow the rhythm but when it kicks back in Gardner style you can't look away. It is written in the present and past of Sabera journaling in her diary, which is sad and emotional. This is great other than the slow burn through some parts. It can be read as a stand alone. Like I said, I missed #2 but have picked up each one as an individual and it makes perfect sense with her description and catch up to get the reader on track. Her books are so enjoyable!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
August 28, 2025
She's baaaaaack!
I was late to board the Frankie Elkin bandwagon, but once I did, I was hooked.
Kiss Her Goodbye is the fourth in the series by bestselling author Lisa Gardner, but can certainly be read as a standalone novel.
The most recent installment takes our favorite recovering alcoholic (with a penchant for finding lost persons) to Tuscon, AZ, in search of a missing Afghan refugee.
Living her preferred nomadic sleuthing lifestyle, leads Frankie to accept a pet-sitting gig for a twenty-something uber-wealthy tech nerd/herper.
Let the adventures begin!
Said gig comes with a fun cast of supporting characters: a ballroom-dancing parole officer; a trans housekeeper-chef; a teddy bear of an ex-con who's now a chauffeur; not to mention a tv-watching iguana, and a collection of baby pythons.
As always, Gardner (and Frankie) deliver.
Filled with twists, turns, nail-biting and comedic moments, I could not stop reading and didn’t want the story to end.
May 7, 2025
Mood Reader Problems: When the Book and Brain Just Don’t Sync
I’ve officially entered my full-blown mood reader era. I used to be able to grab a book at random and get into the vibe. Now It’s vibes-first, plot-second. If I’m craving heart-pounding suspense, no gentle thrillers will do. I need speed and danger. I need to white-knuckle my Kindle like it owes me money.
I’ve been a ride-or-die fan for years. Detective D.D. Warren and Flora Dane. Legends. Now Frankie. She is sarcastic, witty, and social who’s refreshingly different from Gardner’s usual heroines.
The pet-sitting reptile subplot here. Weird and delightful.
But here’s the thing… the mystery just didn’t land.
Instead of experiencing the suspense, I felt like I was getting secondhand updates. I never really felt in the moment. I was more observer than participant, and for a thriller, that made it tough to stay engaged.
I DNF’d at 65%.
I know, I know—so close to the end. But I honestly couldn’t tell you what was happening. Frankie was the bright spot in a foggy plot. I might return to it when my brain isn’t craving a full-throttle thriller.
This was a buddy read with the Witches Words coven (Debra, Dorie, Mary Beth)—and yep, I was the odd one out this time. Still love Frankie though
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
I’ve officially entered my full-blown mood reader era. I used to be able to grab a book at random and get into the vibe. Now It’s vibes-first, plot-second. If I’m craving heart-pounding suspense, no gentle thrillers will do. I need speed and danger. I need to white-knuckle my Kindle like it owes me money.
I’ve been a ride-or-die fan for years. Detective D.D. Warren and Flora Dane. Legends. Now Frankie. She is sarcastic, witty, and social who’s refreshingly different from Gardner’s usual heroines.
The pet-sitting reptile subplot here. Weird and delightful.
But here’s the thing… the mystery just didn’t land.
Instead of experiencing the suspense, I felt like I was getting secondhand updates. I never really felt in the moment. I was more observer than participant, and for a thriller, that made it tough to stay engaged.
I DNF’d at 65%.
I know, I know—so close to the end. But I honestly couldn’t tell you what was happening. Frankie was the bright spot in a foggy plot. I might return to it when my brain isn’t craving a full-throttle thriller.
This was a buddy read with the Witches Words coven (Debra, Dorie, Mary Beth)—and yep, I was the odd one out this time. Still love Frankie though
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
April 30, 2025
Frankie Elkin is back! In Kiss Her Goodbye, Frankie has traveled to Tucson, Arizona to find Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who has gone missing. Her husband does not seem worried but Sabera's friend knows that Sabera would not go anywhere without taking her three year old daughter with her. After find a unique living situation in which she must care for An Iguana named Petunia and some snakes.
Once Frankie is able to dig into her investigation, it becomes abundantly clear that there is more to the Ahmadi family than she could even imagine. This book goes back and forth to the present with Frankie's investigation and in the past during Sabera's young life in Kabul. It is a time of upheaval and Sabera experiences so much in such a short period of time.
Frankie continues to be a character to root for. She is not without her flaws and has seen hardship and addiction in her life. She is also resilient, determined, brave, and compassionate. Fans of this series will be happy with this latest installment. For those who have not read a book in this series, Kiss Her Goodbye will work very well as a stand alone book for you. Lisa Gardner gives enough background information on Frankie for new readers to becomes acquainted with her and what she does.
This book is full of tension, dread, mystery, heartbreak, and twists. I also enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book where she informs readers of what inspired her to write this book.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Dorie
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Once Frankie is able to dig into her investigation, it becomes abundantly clear that there is more to the Ahmadi family than she could even imagine. This book goes back and forth to the present with Frankie's investigation and in the past during Sabera's young life in Kabul. It is a time of upheaval and Sabera experiences so much in such a short period of time.
Frankie continues to be a character to root for. She is not without her flaws and has seen hardship and addiction in her life. She is also resilient, determined, brave, and compassionate. Fans of this series will be happy with this latest installment. For those who have not read a book in this series, Kiss Her Goodbye will work very well as a stand alone book for you. Lisa Gardner gives enough background information on Frankie for new readers to becomes acquainted with her and what she does.
This book is full of tension, dread, mystery, heartbreak, and twists. I also enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book where she informs readers of what inspired her to write this book.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Dorie
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
May 7, 2025
4.5 rounded up
Frankie Elkin #4 - but can easily be read as a standalone
Itinerant, rootless Frankie Elkin works for the missing, seeking those that others can’t find often when the authorities have given up. She finds them and then she herself disappears too. This time, she’s in Tucson Az following a call from Aliah who is concerned about her friend and fellow Afghan refugee, Sabera Ahmadi who has only recently arrived in the country. Sabera comes from a wealthy, westernised background and now her family are all dead and she has fled Afghanistan when the Taliban arrive in Kabul again. A smart person would walk away from this one – not our Frankie. She’s on the trail and potentially entering a minefield.
I really like this series and this one grabs me from the start as it’s so different from the others. Sabera is fascinating, her story is full of heartache as you follow her track from Afghanistan eventually arriving in the USA. I’m so glad the author gives such a good focus to these refugees and their manifold problems and it’s written with genuine empathy for those ripped from their homelands through no fault of their own. We know many Afghans are left behind following the military withdrawal to face a terrible future and there’s one part of the story that refers to this which is really good. I learned a lot along the way in this one, about Afghanistan and about refugees, with the author blending this most effectively into the storyline.
The plot is a puzzle, a riddle and at times quite enigmatic. What lurks at the heart of this? I enjoy how the truth emerges a piece at a time. It’s a rollercoaster of a read. On occasions it’s like an action thriller, James Bond style, full of intrigue and characters you’re not sure you can trust. It’s also emotional with much heartache and yet also it’s incredibly tense. You are led down one path only to find that it’s a dead end, so back up, rethink and head off in another direction and I thoroughly enjoy this misdirection. At times it’s a slow burner, partly because it’s delving into peoples lives and backstories and so it’s an immersive, engaging multilayered combination of a read.
I really like Frankie and always want the best for her. She’s got a lot in her background which explains the way she is, but she’s one heck of a gutsy lady. She’s brave, intuitive, resilient and you definitely want her on your side.
Overall, this is my favourite of the series so far. It’s full of colour as well as the darkness. No spoilers here but Frankie‘s job whilst in Tucson and conducting the investigating is a cracker with colourful characters to match the exotic. All of this is cleverly utilised in the plot.
Don’t miss reading the authors afterword - it’s excellent.
With thank to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Frankie Elkin #4 - but can easily be read as a standalone
Itinerant, rootless Frankie Elkin works for the missing, seeking those that others can’t find often when the authorities have given up. She finds them and then she herself disappears too. This time, she’s in Tucson Az following a call from Aliah who is concerned about her friend and fellow Afghan refugee, Sabera Ahmadi who has only recently arrived in the country. Sabera comes from a wealthy, westernised background and now her family are all dead and she has fled Afghanistan when the Taliban arrive in Kabul again. A smart person would walk away from this one – not our Frankie. She’s on the trail and potentially entering a minefield.
I really like this series and this one grabs me from the start as it’s so different from the others. Sabera is fascinating, her story is full of heartache as you follow her track from Afghanistan eventually arriving in the USA. I’m so glad the author gives such a good focus to these refugees and their manifold problems and it’s written with genuine empathy for those ripped from their homelands through no fault of their own. We know many Afghans are left behind following the military withdrawal to face a terrible future and there’s one part of the story that refers to this which is really good. I learned a lot along the way in this one, about Afghanistan and about refugees, with the author blending this most effectively into the storyline.
The plot is a puzzle, a riddle and at times quite enigmatic. What lurks at the heart of this? I enjoy how the truth emerges a piece at a time. It’s a rollercoaster of a read. On occasions it’s like an action thriller, James Bond style, full of intrigue and characters you’re not sure you can trust. It’s also emotional with much heartache and yet also it’s incredibly tense. You are led down one path only to find that it’s a dead end, so back up, rethink and head off in another direction and I thoroughly enjoy this misdirection. At times it’s a slow burner, partly because it’s delving into peoples lives and backstories and so it’s an immersive, engaging multilayered combination of a read.
I really like Frankie and always want the best for her. She’s got a lot in her background which explains the way she is, but she’s one heck of a gutsy lady. She’s brave, intuitive, resilient and you definitely want her on your side.
Overall, this is my favourite of the series so far. It’s full of colour as well as the darkness. No spoilers here but Frankie‘s job whilst in Tucson and conducting the investigating is a cracker with colourful characters to match the exotic. All of this is cleverly utilised in the plot.
Don’t miss reading the authors afterword - it’s excellent.
With thank to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
This is the 4th book in the Frankie Elkin series, and my only complaint is that there aren’t already more books. I really like Frankie, she is one of the most intriguing characters I have read. Frankie is drawn to Tuscan to look for a missing Afghan woman that no one seems to be missing despite the fact that she left her 4 year old daughter behind. Frankie dives right in, and her job/temporary housing situation is wonderful and hilarious. I really liked all of the side characters in this one and while it was a little complex with spies and hidden codes it was still an excellent mystery. I listened to the audiobook and I really liked the narration a lot. I thought it brought the two main narrators to life. The book was told from Frankie’s perspective and from Sabera, the missing Afghan woman. Sabera’s perspective is a summary of her life and the traumas she has endured. I kind of hope the side characters in this one make an appearance again at some point, but I know that’s not how this series really works.
July 25, 2025
Okay, Lisa Gardner is back—and absolutely killing it with this one (pun only sort of intended). I’ve loved the Frankie Elkin series from the beginning... well, except for book 3, which I’m officially pretending didn’t happen. But book 4? Total return to form. I devoured it.
Frankie heads to scorching Tucson, Arizona, to track down Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who vanished without a trace. Her friend swears she’d never leave her daughter behind, but the cops aren’t interested, and her husband is shady and suspiciously chill about the whole thing. Then a video shows Sabera at the scene of a brutal double murder—and things get wild from there.
The mystery is tight. Lisa Gardner really knows how to layer a plot, and this one had so many twists, emotional moments, and shocking reveals that I couldn’t put it down. Frankie’s detective work is front and center, which I loved—super heavy on the mystery-solving, light on filler.
The Ahmadi family is fascinating. A genius mathematician father, a brilliant linguist mother, and their daughter Zahra, who has a photographic memory (which, in this case, might be more terrifying than helpful). And of course, the more Frankie digs, the more dangerous things get.
One thing, though: throughout the book, Frankie is pining over someone from a previous book, and I... genuinely can not remember who he is? So I just rolled with it. Minor confusion, but didn’t take away from the story at all.
Bottom line: If you're into smart mysteries with great characters and emotional depth, this one is a must-read. Gardner nails it. Welcome back, Frankie—you’ve been missed.
Speaking of missing.. I will miss these side characters. Is it possible to have more books with them?! Pleaseeeee.....
🎶"Cardigan" – Taylor Swift
🎶"Way Down We Go" – KALEO
Frankie heads to scorching Tucson, Arizona, to track down Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who vanished without a trace. Her friend swears she’d never leave her daughter behind, but the cops aren’t interested, and her husband is shady and suspiciously chill about the whole thing. Then a video shows Sabera at the scene of a brutal double murder—and things get wild from there.
The mystery is tight. Lisa Gardner really knows how to layer a plot, and this one had so many twists, emotional moments, and shocking reveals that I couldn’t put it down. Frankie’s detective work is front and center, which I loved—super heavy on the mystery-solving, light on filler.
The Ahmadi family is fascinating. A genius mathematician father, a brilliant linguist mother, and their daughter Zahra, who has a photographic memory (which, in this case, might be more terrifying than helpful). And of course, the more Frankie digs, the more dangerous things get.
One thing, though: throughout the book, Frankie is pining over someone from a previous book, and I... genuinely can not remember who he is? So I just rolled with it. Minor confusion, but didn’t take away from the story at all.
Bottom line: If you're into smart mysteries with great characters and emotional depth, this one is a must-read. Gardner nails it. Welcome back, Frankie—you’ve been missed.
Speaking of missing.. I will miss these side characters. Is it possible to have more books with them?! Pleaseeeee.....
🎶"Cardigan" – Taylor Swift
🎶"Way Down We Go" – KALEO
August 14, 2025
The first observation I’ll make is that jumping straight into this series at book four really felt quite awkward. It quickly became clear that I’d missed an awful lot of things that had already affected the primary character, many of which are referenced here. The clear answer is that these books really should be read in order.
Frankie Elkin is a loner who doesn’t work and seems to live wherever she lays her hat. She journeys around America searching for people. That is, people who are lost or misplaced – missing. She has certain criteria she uses to pick her candidates, and when they’re chosen she’s all in. The fact is, it seems she has no particular skills to offer other than a hungry curiosity and a seemingly innate ability to put herself at the centre of investigations.
The case here involves a young woman who has disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona – after seemingly deserting her husband and infant daughter. We’re taken back in time to 2021, a time when American troops were leaving Kabul and the world watched on in horror as the city fell to the Taliban within twenty-four hours. I recall watching scenes on BBC news programmes that were upsetting in the extreme as hordes of people streamed to the city’s airport in a desperate hope that they might become one of the lucky ones to escape.
When the dots are joined, we learn that the young woman Frankie is now searching for was in Kabul at that time and at some point had made her way to America. We are also fed a good deal of information about how people formally entering the country as a result of such chaos or tragedy are processed and ultimately found homes. I found this element interesting, slightly shocking but mostly hugely depressing. It was a real eye-opener.
I won’t delve deeper into the plotline other than to say that I found the tale to be sometimes dark and uncompromising but also, at times, somewhat twee and hard to take seriously. For me the mix didn’t quite work, and yet the human suffering element here is so well dealt with that I found it to be a book that’s stayed with me – haunted me even – ever since I turned the final page. On that basis, this is a four star offering for me.
My thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie Elkin is a loner who doesn’t work and seems to live wherever she lays her hat. She journeys around America searching for people. That is, people who are lost or misplaced – missing. She has certain criteria she uses to pick her candidates, and when they’re chosen she’s all in. The fact is, it seems she has no particular skills to offer other than a hungry curiosity and a seemingly innate ability to put herself at the centre of investigations.
The case here involves a young woman who has disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona – after seemingly deserting her husband and infant daughter. We’re taken back in time to 2021, a time when American troops were leaving Kabul and the world watched on in horror as the city fell to the Taliban within twenty-four hours. I recall watching scenes on BBC news programmes that were upsetting in the extreme as hordes of people streamed to the city’s airport in a desperate hope that they might become one of the lucky ones to escape.
When the dots are joined, we learn that the young woman Frankie is now searching for was in Kabul at that time and at some point had made her way to America. We are also fed a good deal of information about how people formally entering the country as a result of such chaos or tragedy are processed and ultimately found homes. I found this element interesting, slightly shocking but mostly hugely depressing. It was a real eye-opener.
I won’t delve deeper into the plotline other than to say that I found the tale to be sometimes dark and uncompromising but also, at times, somewhat twee and hard to take seriously. For me the mix didn’t quite work, and yet the human suffering element here is so well dealt with that I found it to be a book that’s stayed with me – haunted me even – ever since I turned the final page. On that basis, this is a four star offering for me.
My thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
"A lock to a key for a key that has no lock"🔐
🎧📖 4.0✨
🎧📖 4.0✨
May 21, 2025
This is the 4th book in the Frankie Elkin series. I believe that this book could be easily read without reading the prior three. Kiss Her Goodbye was just as thrilling and suspenseful as the other three. I read this book in a day and didn't want to out it down. While suspenseful and thrilling, this is also a heavy subject matter and context detailed with Sebera's life and backstory. This is often whatever separates Lisa Garder's books apart from other thriller books. This isn't just a light popcorn read psychological thriller, it carries a lot of weight and substance.
Sabera is an Afghan refugee living in Arizona looking to make a new start with her family. Frankie receives a call that Sabera hasn't been seen for weeks now and everyone knows that she just wouldn't up and leave her young daughter. However, Sabera's family isn't your average family. Sabera is an linguist, her husband is a mathematician, and their daughter has the ability to recall everything that she's seen in detail.
Just after getting the case, there's a video that surfaces that shakes things up of a woman leaving the scene of a double murder.
We have some return characters in this book when Frankie agrees to pet sit that added some great humor in, too.
Kiss Her Goodbye was unpredictable and extremely twisty turny.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publication for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
expected publication August 12, 2025
Sabera is an Afghan refugee living in Arizona looking to make a new start with her family. Frankie receives a call that Sabera hasn't been seen for weeks now and everyone knows that she just wouldn't up and leave her young daughter. However, Sabera's family isn't your average family. Sabera is an linguist, her husband is a mathematician, and their daughter has the ability to recall everything that she's seen in detail.
Just after getting the case, there's a video that surfaces that shakes things up of a woman leaving the scene of a double murder.
We have some return characters in this book when Frankie agrees to pet sit that added some great humor in, too.
Kiss Her Goodbye was unpredictable and extremely twisty turny.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publication for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
expected publication August 12, 2025
June 17, 2025
I read very few series - but this is an absolute MUST READ! Franki Elkin looks for missing people - typically ones that no one else is looking for. She doesn't really have a fixed address and she just slides into each new case as they come at her.
And this one was another great addition to the series! Frankie is pulled into a missing refugee - a women who went through our terrible system of camp after camp until she was placed in an apartment with 3 months for her, her daughter, and her husband to get their feet under them and make it in America.
This was such a fascinating story. I know very little of our refugee system and I had no idea how awful it was. I like that we get the past chapters that round out the story and give us details on the camp.
But oooooh Frankie! She, again, stumbles into a crazy living arrangement that adds great friendships and hilarious moments that really break up some of the more horrifying elements. I love how Frankie's mind works and how she starts from scratch and starts looking for someone. Thi sone had great twists and turns and kept me guessing. Honestly, this whole series is just great - each one is a great mystery with eye-opening information about society.
But, if you must start here, each book is a contained mystery and does stand on its own so you can just pick this one up and enjoy it! I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
And this one was another great addition to the series! Frankie is pulled into a missing refugee - a women who went through our terrible system of camp after camp until she was placed in an apartment with 3 months for her, her daughter, and her husband to get their feet under them and make it in America.
This was such a fascinating story. I know very little of our refugee system and I had no idea how awful it was. I like that we get the past chapters that round out the story and give us details on the camp.
But oooooh Frankie! She, again, stumbles into a crazy living arrangement that adds great friendships and hilarious moments that really break up some of the more horrifying elements. I love how Frankie's mind works and how she starts from scratch and starts looking for someone. Thi sone had great twists and turns and kept me guessing. Honestly, this whole series is just great - each one is a great mystery with eye-opening information about society.
But, if you must start here, each book is a contained mystery and does stand on its own so you can just pick this one up and enjoy it! I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 20, 2025
Another great book in the Frankie Elkin series. This one has plenty of twists and turns, with some significant international events thrown in. This time Frankie is tasked with finding an Afghan refugee that ends up having quite the mysterious background. Always great characters, I love how their personalities are so clear.
Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2025
Book 4 in the Frankie Elkin series, Kiss Her Goodbye is a heartbreaking story of the life of Afghan refugees who manage to escape the brutal war to a new life in America. Frankie is on the case of a ,issuing woman who has recently arrived in the country but gone missing without a trace.
As always Frankie is tough and doesn’t take no for an answer. I lived her lodgings for this case, and her unusual housemates. These were the light hearted scenes and really made me laugh, although one scene really did freak me out!!
This is a very dark and emotional story, a real eye opener. I learnt alot, and the authors notes were really interesting. It was fascinating and so sad. Hilary Huber is a narrator that I have enjoyed in the past and she was fabulous with this book too.
A slower paced story but one that really is worth reading.
Thanks so much to Hachette Audio for my early copy to listen to on NetGalley. Out on August 12th.
As always Frankie is tough and doesn’t take no for an answer. I lived her lodgings for this case, and her unusual housemates. These were the light hearted scenes and really made me laugh, although one scene really did freak me out!!
This is a very dark and emotional story, a real eye opener. I learnt alot, and the authors notes were really interesting. It was fascinating and so sad. Hilary Huber is a narrator that I have enjoyed in the past and she was fabulous with this book too.
A slower paced story but one that really is worth reading.
Thanks so much to Hachette Audio for my early copy to listen to on NetGalley. Out on August 12th.
August 31, 2025
This is the fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner.l I read the third book, but missed one and two. I loved all of Gardner's D.D. Warren series - those were great. Gardner is definitely a favorite so I picked this one up.
Description:
Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.
Frankie quickly realizes there's much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl's short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family's horrific past.
Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
My Thoughts:
I learned more about refugees and their situation both in camps in other countries and when rehomed in America, and for that I am very grateful (even though most of it is horrific I feel like it is something everyone should be aware of and to find ways to make life better for them). This story if full of danger and tension. What the Ahmadi's faced seemed to provide no way for them to survive - a relentless opponent. I had a lot of laughs with the lizard and snakes - too funny! I would have NEVER taken on that job! The book is fast-paced and suspenseful - a great thriller. Elkin is a talented, resourceful professional in finding missing persons. This is a grat mystery/thriller with a complex plot. I highly recommend this book as well as the series.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.
Frankie quickly realizes there's much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl's short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family's horrific past.
Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
My Thoughts:
I learned more about refugees and their situation both in camps in other countries and when rehomed in America, and for that I am very grateful (even though most of it is horrific I feel like it is something everyone should be aware of and to find ways to make life better for them). This story if full of danger and tension. What the Ahmadi's faced seemed to provide no way for them to survive - a relentless opponent. I had a lot of laughs with the lizard and snakes - too funny! I would have NEVER taken on that job! The book is fast-paced and suspenseful - a great thriller. Elkin is a talented, resourceful professional in finding missing persons. This is a grat mystery/thriller with a complex plot. I highly recommend this book as well as the series.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
April 7, 2025
Part of me wants to give this five stars just for the subject matter - it's that important. But the truth is that I didn't 5 star like it.
I read the author for suspense and popcorn and entertainment.
This was heavy. All the sections where we explore Sebera's life were definitely important and horrifying and completely at odds with some of the light silliness that we get from Frankie. I think some people would say that this was meant as relief from the bleakness and I get that, but it just wasn't quite for me.
That being said, I was still interested in how this would all pan out and, once we started getting a bit of clarification of events, read eagerly.
I do appreciate that the author had an important story to tell and she tells it well.
I think that most readers will appreciate this one.
I read the author for suspense and popcorn and entertainment.
This was heavy. All the sections where we explore Sebera's life were definitely important and horrifying and completely at odds with some of the light silliness that we get from Frankie. I think some people would say that this was meant as relief from the bleakness and I get that, but it just wasn't quite for me.
That being said, I was still interested in how this would all pan out and, once we started getting a bit of clarification of events, read eagerly.
I do appreciate that the author had an important story to tell and she tells it well.
I think that most readers will appreciate this one.
August 10, 2025
Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner
Frankie Elkin series #4. Mystery, suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone. Multiple timelines.
Sabera Ahmadi, a recent Afghan refugee, disappeared three weeks ago. Her closest friend is sure that Sabera would never voluntarily leave her three year old child behind although her husband and the police seem unconcerned. Frankie Elkin travels to the streets of Tucson to try to find the missing woman. The danger ramps up when the husband disappears and an attempt is made on the child. Frankie, the police and a couple of locals use every resource they can to try to find Sabera.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Hillary Huber. It’s a stellar performance with clear and distinct voices, accents and tone changes for the various women in the story. Impressive work. A lot of the story is Frankie giving voice to her investigation, but there is enough going on that it doesn’t get boring or stale.
I did listen to this at 1.5 and slightly higher for a better match to local conversation comfort.
Frankie is good at asking questions and getting answers. In this book, she confronts a phobia which makes for a bit of levity in an otherwise serious and dangerous investigation.
While it can be read as a stand-alone, there are references to a person she’s walked away from and seems like she’s not totally confidant in the decision. It doesn’t make a difference in this particular story. It does add a bit of depth to Frankie and perhaps questions the reader may want answered.
Thrilling, and hair-raising.
I received a copy of this from publisher Hachette Audio.
Frankie Elkin series #4. Mystery, suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone. Multiple timelines.
Sabera Ahmadi, a recent Afghan refugee, disappeared three weeks ago. Her closest friend is sure that Sabera would never voluntarily leave her three year old child behind although her husband and the police seem unconcerned. Frankie Elkin travels to the streets of Tucson to try to find the missing woman. The danger ramps up when the husband disappears and an attempt is made on the child. Frankie, the police and a couple of locals use every resource they can to try to find Sabera.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Hillary Huber. It’s a stellar performance with clear and distinct voices, accents and tone changes for the various women in the story. Impressive work. A lot of the story is Frankie giving voice to her investigation, but there is enough going on that it doesn’t get boring or stale.
I did listen to this at 1.5 and slightly higher for a better match to local conversation comfort.
Frankie is good at asking questions and getting answers. In this book, she confronts a phobia which makes for a bit of levity in an otherwise serious and dangerous investigation.
While it can be read as a stand-alone, there are references to a person she’s walked away from and seems like she’s not totally confidant in the decision. It doesn’t make a difference in this particular story. It does add a bit of depth to Frankie and perhaps questions the reader may want answered.
Thrilling, and hair-raising.
I received a copy of this from publisher Hachette Audio.
May 20, 2025
Frankie Elkin is back, and this story is full of mystery, suspense, and heart. I love that you never know where she’ll turn up—because she never does either. The plot pulls you in right away, and the integration of Afghan refugees added such a powerful and timely layer. Just when it seems like the case has gone cold, Frankie steps in and completely blows it wide open. A total page-turner—I couldn't put it down!
If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGallery and Grand Central Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGallery and Grand Central Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2025
Definitely glad that (so far!) book three is looking like a weird outlier in this series. Because even though she's not my favourite character or POV in this author's arsenal, I still enjoy said author and still wanted to continue picking these up -- particularly as there seems to be no more D. D. Warren books (did that series end and I just didn't notice? must research further) in the forecast.
Anyway, I have to say, it felt very timely to be reading about this particular subject matter. Or rather I suppose that's true for any time because this isn't a new concept. But moreso in the sense that this put a spotlight on navigating the complex and heartbreaking refugee/immigration process, surviving all of that, struggling to integrate in a whole new world, sometimes in a whole new language, and the grief of leaving behind family and friends, a home, a whole country, even knowing you might not have survived staying. Picture all that faced against the current state in the US where, unceremoniously, you could be snatched up and sent somewhere totally different. For no reason at all.
That last part isn't the focus of this story but it's something I couldn't help thinking about.
Instead, this focuses on a woman's life, both as a child in Kabul and in the United States as an adult, as Frankie and her current ragtag group of locals, piece together why she's disappeared, why she's left behind her child, and why her husband doesn't seem concerned. The mystery of this one goes in places I couldn't have expected and, well, despite all the fun red herrings, I'm not sure I loved what this eventually revealed itself to be. Things just got a little too big time for me. Instead, I appreciated the more grounded moments, such as the focus the author put on the refugee experience and all the struggles, mundane and frightening and everything in between, that come with it. Which also included the organizations, the people, the volunteers, who make up the layers of support, everyone who is involved in the process of resettling families. Incredible.
Outside of that, I also really enjoyed the ensemble Frankie finds herself teaming up with for this particular adventure and all the absurdities (oh boy, you won't see it coming) and sweet moments that came with them.
Overall, maybe not a new favourite of this series but definitely an important topic that I know will sit with me for a while. Plus, I'm glad to have had a positive result after the last instalment and now I'm back to being keen for the next adventure.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Anyway, I have to say, it felt very timely to be reading about this particular subject matter. Or rather I suppose that's true for any time because this isn't a new concept. But moreso in the sense that this put a spotlight on navigating the complex and heartbreaking refugee/immigration process, surviving all of that, struggling to integrate in a whole new world, sometimes in a whole new language, and the grief of leaving behind family and friends, a home, a whole country, even knowing you might not have survived staying. Picture all that faced against the current state in the US where, unceremoniously, you could be snatched up and sent somewhere totally different. For no reason at all.
That last part isn't the focus of this story but it's something I couldn't help thinking about.
Instead, this focuses on a woman's life, both as a child in Kabul and in the United States as an adult, as Frankie and her current ragtag group of locals, piece together why she's disappeared, why she's left behind her child, and why her husband doesn't seem concerned. The mystery of this one goes in places I couldn't have expected and, well, despite all the fun red herrings, I'm not sure I loved what this eventually revealed itself to be. Things just got a little too big time for me. Instead, I appreciated the more grounded moments, such as the focus the author put on the refugee experience and all the struggles, mundane and frightening and everything in between, that come with it. Which also included the organizations, the people, the volunteers, who make up the layers of support, everyone who is involved in the process of resettling families. Incredible.
Outside of that, I also really enjoyed the ensemble Frankie finds herself teaming up with for this particular adventure and all the absurdities (oh boy, you won't see it coming) and sweet moments that came with them.
Overall, maybe not a new favourite of this series but definitely an important topic that I know will sit with me for a while. Plus, I'm glad to have had a positive result after the last instalment and now I'm back to being keen for the next adventure.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
August 10, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ | Frankie is on another case, and this time in Tucson to find Sabera Ahmadi, a missing Afghan refugee whose disappearance has not been taken seriously by local authorities. This case continued to take surprising turns and more disappearances, murders and chaos are slowly revealed! The pacing picked up, I wouldn’t say it immediately drew me in, but I did enjoy the story overall. Hillary Huber did great with the narration, her tone truly captured Frankie’s weary demeanor as this case was way more than she originally bargained for. Although this can be read as a standalone, this book will absolutely appeal to Lisa Gardner fans as well as fans of the Frankie Elkin series and I do recommend the rest of this series. Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Publication 🗓️ : 08.12.25
Publication 🗓️ : 08.12.25
August 22, 2025
This is the 4th book in Lisa Gardner's "Frankie Elkin" series and I enjoyed being back in Frankie's world again.
Frankie, a missing persons expert, is now in Tucson, Arizona in search of a missing woman. Sabera Ahmadi is an Afghan refugee who has recently resettled with her family in Tucson. Sabera suddenly disappears and is seen leaving the scene of a brutal double murder. Frankie must weave through Sabera's complicated and heartbreaking story, through the many surprises twists and turns, in order to solve the mystery.
The side story brings us comic relief as Frankie pet sits a huge Iguana, baby phython snakes and a massive snake for tech genius Bart at his mansion while he is away.
Excellent narration by Hillary Huber and a very interesting author's note from Lisa Gardner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Frankie, a missing persons expert, is now in Tucson, Arizona in search of a missing woman. Sabera Ahmadi is an Afghan refugee who has recently resettled with her family in Tucson. Sabera suddenly disappears and is seen leaving the scene of a brutal double murder. Frankie must weave through Sabera's complicated and heartbreaking story, through the many surprises twists and turns, in order to solve the mystery.
The side story brings us comic relief as Frankie pet sits a huge Iguana, baby phython snakes and a massive snake for tech genius Bart at his mansion while he is away.
Excellent narration by Hillary Huber and a very interesting author's note from Lisa Gardner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2025
Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three-year-old daughter. At her insistence, missing person expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson ... just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.
I love the Frankie Elkin series more and more with each book that's released! Frankie works on her own, finding lost people - the invisible kind no one cares about. She has no permanent home and is a bit of a rolling stone. She's a recovering alcoholic who has few personal possessions, and she doesn't let anything tie her down.
Wow! Kiss Her Goodbye is quite the nail-biter!! It was so hard to read about the people trying to leave Afghanistan and get to the USA go through. Utterly heartbreaking.
Lisa Gardner is a master at bringing her characters to life. Some were scary and some made me smile and laugh. I don't want to describe them until you've had the chance to read about them on your own, which is not easy for me. I want to shout about my favorites! *sigh*
Let me just say I absolutely loved Kiss Her Goodbye and I cannot wait to read the next one!!
Thank you, #GrandCentralPublishing, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is #4 in the Frankie Elkin series, and it has an expected publication date of August 12, 2025.
#LisaGardner #SuspenseThriller #AfghanRefugees
I love the Frankie Elkin series more and more with each book that's released! Frankie works on her own, finding lost people - the invisible kind no one cares about. She has no permanent home and is a bit of a rolling stone. She's a recovering alcoholic who has few personal possessions, and she doesn't let anything tie her down.
Wow! Kiss Her Goodbye is quite the nail-biter!! It was so hard to read about the people trying to leave Afghanistan and get to the USA go through. Utterly heartbreaking.
Lisa Gardner is a master at bringing her characters to life. Some were scary and some made me smile and laugh. I don't want to describe them until you've had the chance to read about them on your own, which is not easy for me. I want to shout about my favorites! *sigh*
Let me just say I absolutely loved Kiss Her Goodbye and I cannot wait to read the next one!!
Thank you, #GrandCentralPublishing, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is #4 in the Frankie Elkin series, and it has an expected publication date of August 12, 2025.
#LisaGardner #SuspenseThriller #AfghanRefugees
August 9, 2025
This is my first taste of Lisa Gardner's writing and I'll be back for more! This novel works well as a
standalone because the main character, Frankie Elkin, fills in the details of what's been going on in her life in the previous three books. She travels wherever she's needed. Her specialty is working missing persons cold cases. She doesn't charge for her services because she's not a trained professional so she usually looks for work that includes food and lodging while she investigates.
In book four in this series, Frankie's been called to Tucson, AZ, where a woman named Aliah is worried about her fellow Afghan friend, Sabera, a recently-arrived refugee who has been missing for three weeks, leaving her husband and 4-year-old daughter behind.
The tale of Frankie's search for Sabera is interspersed with letters from Sabera to her daughter which document her life before the Taliban took over Afghanistan. I learned so much from those and from what Frankie learns from the people and organizations who help refugees settle into life in America. It's a heart-breaking story--what resilience it must take to start all over in a strange land. Why can't their education and expertise count for something in this country? Where's the justice in that?
While there's quite a lot of drama and tension in this story, there are also light, laugh-out-loud moments--such as when Frankie takes on the job of pet-sitting for snakes and an iguana named Petunia. I will look forward to reading more of Frankie's adventures and hope things work out for her and the man she keeps hoping will call.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
standalone because the main character, Frankie Elkin, fills in the details of what's been going on in her life in the previous three books. She travels wherever she's needed. Her specialty is working missing persons cold cases. She doesn't charge for her services because she's not a trained professional so she usually looks for work that includes food and lodging while she investigates.
In book four in this series, Frankie's been called to Tucson, AZ, where a woman named Aliah is worried about her fellow Afghan friend, Sabera, a recently-arrived refugee who has been missing for three weeks, leaving her husband and 4-year-old daughter behind.
The tale of Frankie's search for Sabera is interspersed with letters from Sabera to her daughter which document her life before the Taliban took over Afghanistan. I learned so much from those and from what Frankie learns from the people and organizations who help refugees settle into life in America. It's a heart-breaking story--what resilience it must take to start all over in a strange land. Why can't their education and expertise count for something in this country? Where's the justice in that?
While there's quite a lot of drama and tension in this story, there are also light, laugh-out-loud moments--such as when Frankie takes on the job of pet-sitting for snakes and an iguana named Petunia. I will look forward to reading more of Frankie's adventures and hope things work out for her and the man she keeps hoping will call.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
dnf
August 10, 2025While I was enjoying the narration, writing and the build-up of the mystery, I was uncomfortable with the way the United States were being framed as heroes/the good guys/saviors in their involvement in Afghanistan in this story -- something we all know they weren't -- and have decided to stop listening at 48%.
Hillary Huber did a great job with the narration and the different accents, and I was enjoying listening to her. The production and editing seemed good, as I couldn't tell when/where edits or re-recordings where done, if any -- something that is a pet peeve of mine when done poorly.
I'm new to the world of Frankie Elkin, and was enjoying her character a lot. There was a surprising amount of funny moments even in a mostly serious story, which was neat. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Petunia the Iguana.
Sadly just a case of not being comfortable with some of the content.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.
Hillary Huber did a great job with the narration and the different accents, and I was enjoying listening to her. The production and editing seemed good, as I couldn't tell when/where edits or re-recordings where done, if any -- something that is a pet peeve of mine when done poorly.
I'm new to the world of Frankie Elkin, and was enjoying her character a lot. There was a surprising amount of funny moments even in a mostly serious story, which was neat. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Petunia the Iguana.
Sadly just a case of not being comfortable with some of the content.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.
August 2, 2025
3.75⭐️ This is book #4 in the Frankie Elkin series, but I have not read any of the previous books and found this story very accessible as a standalone. I enjoyed spending time with Frankie and her group of misfits. The story is engaging and mostly paced well (with the exception of a few sections). What I enjoyed most about this book is the exploration of the topic of Afghan refugees in the U.S. and the difficulty and sacrifice involved in making a life in a new country and culture, while mourning the loss of the previous one. If you like your suspense novels to explore current issues, this is a good one to add to your TBR.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2025
Frankie Elkin is a woman who gives up her time to look for missing people. In this story she is looking for Sabera an Afghan refugee who has been relocated to Tucson, Arizona with her husband and their four year old daughter. She has been missing for a few weeks and nobody has any idea what happened to her.
This thriller has lots of twist and turns, some good characters and gives a better understanding of the lives refugees have to endure.
Although it’s the fourth book in the series it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This thriller has lots of twist and turns, some good characters and gives a better understanding of the lives refugees have to endure.
Although it’s the fourth book in the series it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2025
Lisa Gardner’s Kiss Her Goodbye is a captivating, well-researched mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Following missing person profiler Frankie Elkin, Gardner masterfully weaves a gripping tale centered on the search for a missing Afghan refugee. The plot is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, showcasing Gardner’s talent for creating complex characters and suspenseful twists. I could’ve done with less Afghan stuff but I love Frankie; she’s a fantastic main character and Petunia was the real mvp of the book; IYKYK.
August 12, 2025
Kiss Her Goodbye-book 4 in series(audio) 3.5⭐️
With this being my first Frankie Elkin novel, I found my favorite part was her great witty sarcasm. It was a good balance to the heavy subject matter. My intrigue and attention ebbed and flowed. Some parts had me deeply enthralled, but I also found myself distracted at times and having to refocus. I found this could be read as a standalone book. The bits and pieces mentioning information from earlier books has me interested to go back and read those too.
Narrator Hillary Huber is extremely talented!
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for this ALC and ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 12 2025
With this being my first Frankie Elkin novel, I found my favorite part was her great witty sarcasm. It was a good balance to the heavy subject matter. My intrigue and attention ebbed and flowed. Some parts had me deeply enthralled, but I also found myself distracted at times and having to refocus. I found this could be read as a standalone book. The bits and pieces mentioning information from earlier books has me interested to go back and read those too.
Narrator Hillary Huber is extremely talented!
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for this ALC and ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 12 2025
August 23, 2025
Frankie Elkin finds missing people and she's very good at it.
In Tucson, Sabera's friend says Sabera disappeared 3 weeks ago. No one seems very concerned about a refugee woman from Afghan, including her husband and the police.
With no money for housing there, Frankie takes a house/pet sitting job with lodging included. Little did she realize the pets include and iguana named Petunia and some snakes.
Frankie travels all over the country with one suitcase. She uses a prepaid cell and has no special skills in her work but she asks a lot of questions and simply follows the leads. There are some hilarious scenes with the pets. I'm too old to run fast but I would have tried my hardest, screaming all the way. I was very happy with the ending.
In Tucson, Sabera's friend says Sabera disappeared 3 weeks ago. No one seems very concerned about a refugee woman from Afghan, including her husband and the police.
With no money for housing there, Frankie takes a house/pet sitting job with lodging included. Little did she realize the pets include and iguana named Petunia and some snakes.
Frankie travels all over the country with one suitcase. She uses a prepaid cell and has no special skills in her work but she asks a lot of questions and simply follows the leads. There are some hilarious scenes with the pets. I'm too old to run fast but I would have tried my hardest, screaming all the way. I was very happy with the ending.
July 12, 2025
Lisa Gardner has done it again. I’ve been a massive fan of her work since 2016 and Frankie’s stories have been some of my favourites. “Kiss her Goodbye” has to be one of my best reads so far! Lisa has a way of pulling you into a story and getting your mind racing. She also does an incredible job making her characters feel so real that you almost want to google them after you’re done!
In “Kiss Her Goodbye” we get to travel to Arizona and see the life of refugees and hear their brave stories. I especially loved Petunia and Daryl! But the rawness of this book is what truly makes it stand out.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
In “Kiss Her Goodbye” we get to travel to Arizona and see the life of refugees and hear their brave stories. I especially loved Petunia and Daryl! But the rawness of this book is what truly makes it stand out.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
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