Kiss Her Goodbye is the fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series. There are authors when you see they have written another book; you grab it without reading the blurb, because you know the book will be that good and are never disappointed. Lisa Gardner is one of those authors for me. I have enjoyed the series featuring Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series. Frankie Elkin took a while for me to fall in love with her because to me, she is different from the others she has written.

Frankie has made it her mission to find missing people. She believes every missing person deserves to be found, no matter how long it has been. She arrives in Tucson, Arizona, where an Afghan immigrant named Sabera Ahmadi left her job three weeks ago and has not been seen since. Frankie is surprised to hear she left her daughter and husband behind. It also appears her husband does not appear to be concerned. It is not long before he is missing also and later is found murdered.

Frankie finds a temporary living arrangement that is at times humorous and entertaining as she begins to bond with the characters who live there.

This story is interesting as it shines a light on the immigrants that leave their home only to find life is not any easier here than it was in their homeland. It was told in great detail that was in itself shocking. At times it dragged from the detail, but I could see how important the details were to understanding the story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

Frankie is back and this time searching for an Afghan refugee that has disappeared in Tucson and no one seems to care. Soon, her husband disappears as well and Frankie is caught up in a mystery involving secrets, spies, and lies.

This story really delves into the plight of refugees and what they endure to escape the Taliban and find a better life. It’s heart wrenching. I really enjoyed the characters Frankie stumbles upon to help her, Daryl and Genni, and can appreciate her lack of love in feeding snakes as part of her job she gets to support her while she searches.

Another great story from Gardner. I’ve only read the first in the series and wasn’t a huge fan of Frankie, but she’s found a maturity somewhat that I found I enjoyed the character more this time around.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the fourth novel to feature Frankie Elkin as protagonist. Frankie is so endearing in her own stubborn, slightly reserved way. She is fast becoming my all-time favourite fictional character as her personality becomes more well known with each subsequent book. She is everything I am not. Selfless, courageous, and unencumbered with physical possessions.

This time out, Frankie has left her love behind to roam once more. This time her nomadic lifestyle finds herself in Tucson, Arizona trying to find a young Afghan refugee who has gone missing - leaving her beloved four year old daughter behind.

As Frankie's investigation into Sabera Madhi's disappearance progresses, she becomes embroiled in a dangerous and mysterious world of ciphers, desperate people, and sacrifice. We the readers learn of the dangerous and demoralizing plight of the political refugee.

But this book is not all gloom and doom. We are offered some of the author's trademark levity by Frankie's latest housing situation. Unable to afford even a modest apartment in Tuscon, Frankie takes on the live-in job of pet sitting that sees her living in a mansion owned by a very young millionaire 'gamer'/software developer. She is aghast when she learns just what kinds of 'pets' this young man has... Also in residence, are Genni, a lovable transgender cook/housekeeper and Daryl, an ex-con bodyguard/driver who enjoys ballroom dancing.

Perfectly paced to capture your full attention, there is not much to dislike about this book, and this series. I must warn you though, there are some very distressing scenes, especially those that take place in refugee encampments. Also, toward the end, there are some explicitly violent scenes.

In all, "Kiss Her Goodbye", was an expertly plotted, complex, action-packed thriller that I highly recommend. Yes, it CAN be read as a standalone, but I urge you to read the first three books in the series first. If you don't, you're cheating yourself out of some great reads.

I was so excited to receive this advanced copy as a massive Lisa Gardener fan! The Frankie series was my first introduction to her writing and a character I am quite fond of. While this book started off slow, it picked up and kept me turning the pages. I do feel like the writing of this book may have been a bit rushed so encourage any readers to pick up the first three books in the Frankie series to really fall in love with the character before diving into this one.

Gardner delivers a taut thriller that’s equal parts chilling and emotional. Her mastery of suspense keeps the pages flying.

This is the forth book in a series, so know that before moving any further as it can impact your enjoyment. I had personally only read the first one, not realizing it had become a series. At times in this book it did leave to me not fully understanding, but it was not enough to ruin the book.

Kiss Her Goodbye was different than many suspense thrillers I’ve read. The focus on a refugee family was very interesting and I enjoyed the chapters focused on their history. The book started rather slow paced, but picked over time with the final quarter of the book being action packed. Small twist and reveals kept me interested as I was almost never sure of what would happen next. A couple twist were predictable, but that’s to be expected. Overall very enjoyable read, especially if you have enjoyed any previous books from the Frankin Elkin series. Now I need to go back and read the ones I missed.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC.

Kiss Her Goodbye is labeled as the 4th installment in Frankie Elkin series but can be read as a standalone. Gives off that a 5th will be coming at the end.

Frankie gets a call to help search for a missing Afghan refugee who police are not searching for. The novel really hits on the lack of attention to missing minorities!

I think reading the prior books would give that love for Frankie that many seem to have! Since I haven't, Im not tied to her like others are. Shes a fun character though!

Overall a good mystery, solve the case, novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Missing persons locator, Frankie Elkin is back in KISS HER GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner.

Frankie Elkin is drawn to Tucson, AZ to find Sabera Ahmadi, a brilliant linguist who has been missing for approximately three weeks. A recent Afghan refugee, Sabera left behind a daughter, Zahra, who has an uncanny ability to remember everything she sees. Also left behind is her domineering husband, Isaad who appears to be completely unconcerned about his wife’s disappearance. As Frankie begins to peel back the layers of. Sabera’s life, with the help of her friend., Aliah, she learns so much about the plight of refugees coming to America. So many things, and resources are available, but those resources are very short-lived. As Frankie is investigating, a video surfaces of Sabera leaving the scene of a double homicide. Then.Isaad also disappears and Zahra is almost abducted. Just what is going on with this family? Does it have anything to do with being a refugee or Sabera’s linguistic work and Isaac’s mathematical abilities? Now there are two persons that Frankie must find. Who will raise Zahra?

As usual, I enjoyed this Frankie Elkin novel. The research was quite evident in the writing and I learned so much about what refugees face when they come to this country. Isn’t learning why we read? The writing is clear and concise which leads to an enjoyable read. I could feel the tension mounting as Frankie got closer to the truth. I kept reading well past my bedtime with a. ‘just one more chapter’ draw. I can’t wait to see where Lisa Gardner and Frankie Elkin take me next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Gardner may not have intended to have Frankie Elkin be a poster child for recovering alcoholics but that is the beauty of literature, personal interpretation. Sadly, I’ve seen alcoholism and resultant death due to an inability to stay sober. Consequently, Frankie Elkin is an inspiration that the disease can be managed effectively. My first reaction to this action-adventure is satisfaction on hearing a success story, even if it is fiction.
Now the story itself, without my underpinning interpretation. Frankie finds people. That is her calling, and she roams the country finding those who are missing. Frankie admits that all too often, those she finds are deceased. She still feels that she can, at least, give closure to loved ones. Frankie is introspective and soul-driven.

Frankie’s search in this is for Sabera. Sabera is an Afghan refugee with a secret. That secret puts all who know her in danger. Frankie acquires a cast of entertaining individuals with grossly checkered pasts. In addition, there is a menagerie of terrifying, to Frankie, reptiles.

This is an excellent mystery with lots of action and some serious messages.


I enjoyed it and recommend it.

Wow! The Frankie Elkin series is always on my must-read list, but this might be my favorite one so far. It has such a unique story, with a cast of characters that seemed like such a good fit for each other, and especially for Frankie. If I could make a wish for her and choose where she ends up next, it would be right there in Tucson at the compound with all of her new found friends (even the scaly & slithery ones) and reunited with her love from Seattle. She could help solve plenty of missing person cases from Arizona couldn't she? I think she could. ;)

QUICK GLANCE-
My format: ebook ARC
Other formats: 📖Physical (432 pages) and 🎧Audio (12 hours and 37 minutes)
Spice: 🚫
Language: 🤐🤐 mild/moderate
Publication Date: August 12, 2025

MY THOUGHTS-
I didn’t realize this was book 4 in the Frankie Elkin series, but wow, Gardner made it so easy to dive in without missing a beat. From page one, I was hooked by the gripping plot and the emotional weight behind Frankie’s search for Sabera.

This story doesn’t shy away from tough topics, immigration, displacement, and the quiet resilience of those often overlooked. Gardner writes with such compassion, crafting characters you ache to see succeed. Frankie’s journey is raw and relentless, and the side characters? Total standouts. They brought heart, grit, and unexpected warmth to the story. If you love thrillers with soul, this one’s for you.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @GrandCentralPub for the DRC.

READ IF YOU LIKE-
📍 Missing Person
⏳ Dual Timeline
🕌 Afghan Refugees
👥 Dual POV
🧬 Family Secrets

Thanks to @grandcentralpub for this ARC and @hachetteaudio for the ALC!
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Frankie Elkin is back and this time the missing person case is as haunting as it is dangerous. When Sabera, a young Afghan mother, vanishes, Frankie dives into a mystery full of secrets, coded histories, and chilling threats. Gardner layers in timely issues, heart-pounding suspense, and the question of how far someone will go to protect their family. I was hooked from the first page and the audio made the tension even sharper.

Lisa Gardner is my absolute favourite author and I've been hooked ever since Frankie came along. She is such a great character and I would follow her anywhere.

This novel is about finding another missing woman. Savers has left her daughter and husband. Nobody seems to know where she went. Can Frankie find her?

There is more to this story than meets the eye. This is a great thriller by Lisa which has cultural elements mixed in with the thriller aspect.

While I enjoyed this book and I love Frankie this is not my favorite Lisa Gardner. It is definitely worth a read. I am hoping to see Dee Dee and Frankie together again

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

I did enjoy this. The downfall for me was that I could careless about any Afghan So maybe I can’t really judge

Frankie Elkin is one of the most underestimated and astute private investigators you'll find. She lives a simple lifestyle and searches for people she cares about who fall through the cracks of society. In this story, she helps a refugee mother who is trying to rebuild her life for her family in the USA. With the current political situation in the States, this story is perfectly timed. Fans of missing persons' thrillers will enjoy this book.

Of the many Lisa Gardner books I’ve reviewed for AAR, I’ve graded only one below a B-. It was the third book (Still See You Everywhere) in the Frankie Elkin series. Hoping that was just a fluke, I picked up the fourth in the line, Kiss Her Goodbye, expecting a classic Gardner read. That is not what I got.

Absconded or kidnapped? No one knows, nor do they seem to care. Recent Afghan refugee and young mother Sabera Ahmadi has disappeared into thin air. No one is looking for her. Her (much older) husband, Isaad, thinks she’s simply left him, and the police won’t open a case without his say-so. However, her friend, Aliah, insists that Sabera would never have taken off without her four-year-old daughter, Zahara. Since she can’t get the authorities to search, Aliah seeks out private aid.

Frankie was supposed to settle down. Or at least try. That’s how we left things at the end of the last book. But when she receives a call from Aliah asking for help, she packs up and heads to Arizona. First, she has to find a place to stay. Enter deux ex machina number one, a gamer millionaire in search of someone to provide live-in care for his exotic pets – a giant five-foot-long, sharp-toothed iguana named Petunia and a group of baby ball pythons and their mother, Marge. They need to be kept apart at all times lest they try to eat each other.

Now Frankie has a mansion and a chauffeur named Daryl at her disposal; all she has to do is find Sabera. The first clue is dropped into her lap: a video showing Sabera walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder. It would seem there’s much more to the Ahmadi situation than Frankie was initially led to believe.

There is. This is a magic family. Sabera is not just a gifted linguist, but also possesses skills I’ve never heard of before. Zahara is little but can remember absolutely everything; what she hears, what she sees – every detail is imprinted into her brain. Isaad is a genius mathematician. That’s just the surface. What lies beneath could literally get them all killed.

As more disappearances occur and the people who’ve joined the hunt for Sabera vanish one by one, Frankie finds herself asking an unusual question. Is she really looking for the victim – or the villain?

The Frankie Elkin books have veered into a genre I’ve never encountered before: gritty cozy. They combine the violence, dark backstory, and dubious heroes of the mystery genre’s edgier styles with the fluffy solutions and quirky sidekicks of the cozy genre. These two contradictory treatments don’t mix well.

The Ahmadi family has a terrible history, from the tough times they faced in Afghanistan as modern, liberal Kabul fell to the Taliban and the residents were forced to flee for their lives, to the complete horror of the refugee camps and the no less complicated (and occasionally equally dangerous) transition to the United States. The author dumps a lot of information on us regarding the desperation of the fleeing families and how awful the situation in Afghanistan is for many, but she fails to use her strongest tool to get us to care – her characters. Isaad is presented in a very contradictory manner – a middle-aged man who likes, uses, and abuses young women, yet also serves as a terrific paternal figure who teaches math to all the little kids in the camp and becomes a champion for those young minds. Frankly, I couldn’t stand Sabera, whose endless questionable decisions cost others their lives. Aliah is initially quite delightful, but eventually devolves into being self-serving and stuck in the past. It’s hard to care about what happened to them before and is continuing to occur in the present when it’s so clear that Sabera is at least partly responsible for all of it.

Conversely, the American characters come across as fantastic. Everyone – the social workers, the volunteers, the community organizers – who works with the refugee organizations are just terrific, caring, devoted, generous individuals. Then we have the folks at the manor. Ginny, the Black transgender cook/housekeeper of the mansion where Frankie is staying, is street-smart but gooey. A natural caregiver with a good radar for who to and not to trust, she takes to Frankie almost instantly. Roberta, the Hispanic parole officer for Daryl, is tough yet kind and not above bending rules to do what she believes is right. Daryl is brave, stalwart, true yada yada yada, but with enough of a past to make him interesting rather than just heroic. Bart, the owner of the mansion, is a saint. Not only does he hire people most wouldn’t, but he also allows them to use his house however they please, endanger his allegedly beloved pets, utilize his resources for their own personal aims, and says nary a word when they turn his home into a crime scene.

The entire scenario, including how Frankie got the job, why Frankie got the job, and how everyone there puts her needs above their own after just a few days’ acquaintance, is ludicrous. The author had to wave a magic wand to make it all work.

Another big problem is the crime-solving. The strength of a cozy normally comes from the lead’s ties to their community. It’s why they know things the cops don’t; they’re privy to a lot of gossip or town lore that legitimate policing doesn’t have or won’t follow up on. Frankie has none of her own resources, nor does she have any ties to the community. People open up to her because it’s a novel, not because in real life they would share that kind of information with a complete stranger.

Gardner’s prose is good and her pacing is decently brisk, but the magical elements surrounding Sabera’s linguistic talents, the endless deus ex machinas used to keep the story moving, the odd combination of gritty and cutesy, and the sheer unbelievable nature of the story make Kiss Her Goodbye a book I can’t recommend.

Frankie heads to Arizona in search of a missing Afghan refugee. Sabera flees Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul. Pregnant and alone, she fleas with one of her father‘s coworkers, who eventually becomes her husband. After spending time in refugee camps, they eventually make it to Tucson and Sabera goes missing. Enter Frankie, who thinks there may be a chance this missing person is still alive. Secret treasure, Taliban soldiers and spies all play a part in this missing person’s tale.

The stories unique, but for some reason, I just could not get into it as much as usual. It felt a little flat for me, but it still was well written.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this book.

Kiss Her Goodbye: Another Wild Ride with Frankie Elkin!

So, let me tell you how I even got hooked on Lisa Gardner in the first place. A few years ago, I was having lunch with my mom, and she was practically bubbling over about how much she loved Lisa Gardner's writing. Naturally, she asked me to look on my phone to see when the author's next book was coming out. I checked, and lo and behold, the third Frankie Elkin book was due in just a few months.

When I told her, she got genuinely excited and launched into this amazing description of Frankie Elkin, making her sound so incredibly compelling and interesting. By the time she was done, I was completely hooked! I literally went from zero to requesting an advanced copy of Book 3 the same day. While I waited, I devoured books 1 & 2 (which I thankfully borrowed from her), and I absolutely loved the third one when it came out.

So, you can imagine, when I saw Kiss Her Goodbye, the fourth Frankie Elkin installment, available, there was absolutely no hesitation. I needed to know what Frankie would get herself into next, and I dove right in.

And let me tell you, this book truly didn't disappoint! I really enjoyed the overall plot and storyline. One of my absolute favorite things about this series, and especially evident here, are the quirky details and the fantastic, well-thought-out side characters. Their elaborate personalities and side stories really add so much color and depth to the narrative, making the world feel incredibly rich. You get so invested in these secondary players, and they often steal the show with their unique contributions.

Now, for a little bit of a "but"... At times, I did feel like the main story got a bit chaotic and hard to follow. I love a good plot twist as much as the next person, but I think Kiss Her Goodbye might have had a few too many. It felt like a bit of a rollercoaster, and while exhilarating, it could occasionally make it tricky to keep all the threads straight. I think it could have benefited from cutting out a handful of those extra turns, just to let the primary narrative breathe a little more.

Despite those moments of feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of twists, I genuinely enjoyed Kiss Her Goodbye. I binged it, I loved it, and I'm already eagerly hoping Lisa Gardner writes another one soon. I just have to know what Frankie Elkin gets up to next! If you're a fan of thrillers with unique characters and don't mind a few extra turns in the road, you'll definitely want to check out Frankie's latest adventure.

(3½ stars)

I have enjoyed the three previous books in this series and this one was also great. It got me out of a reading slump that I was in this summer. I couldn't put Kiss Her Goodbye down. I love that Frankie travels around to different locations in the books and the reader really greats to see the different layers of society how the haves and the have nots are living. I especially liked learning more about the hurdles that refugees have to go through once they have reached refugee camps, and what happens to them once they are granted asylum.
I hope that this series continues.

Lisa Gardner is a wonderful writer but I didn't realize that I would have to have read the other books in this series first. I hope that I can get around to enjoying it eventually.