4.5 Afghan stars

Lisa Gardner is one of my go-to authors, and I was excited to read an early copy of her latest one. In the fourth installment of the Frankie Elkin series, we reunite with a woman whose life's work is searching for missing people that no one else can find.

Frankie is in Tucson, called to help search for a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera Ahmadi. We get to know Sabera’s story through her diary entries, and these were some of my favorite parts of the book.

We read a bit about Sabera’s life in Kabul with a father who was a professor and a mother who loved fashion. There are some scenes where Kabul has fallen, and we get a glimpse of the chaos. Sabera turns to a friend of her father’s when it becomes clear that she needs to escape Kabul.

Sabera is now married and has an adorable three-year-old daughter in Tucson. They are in the middle of the three-month window to find employment, housing, and stability. Now, Sabera has been missing for three weeks, and there is concern about where she is because she would never leave her daughter behind.

Frankie lands a very special pet-sitting gig in Tucson, as she doesn’t accept payment for her missing person work. She secures housing at an amazing estate with a driver, car, and housekeeper who loves to cook. All she has to do is feed the iguana Petunia daily and then feed the snakes. Yikes!!

A whole host of people come together to search for Sabera. The danger is definitely following the Ahmadi family, though, and I worried about the searchers getting caught up in violence. Is it too late to find Sabera?

The author does a deep dive into the difficult road most refugees face when they come to the US. There are some supports in place, but numerous obstacles.

I always enjoy the journey with Frankie. Her missions seem to be getting more dangerous, so I wonder if she should consider retiring. If Lisa Gardner keeps writing more adventures, I will definitely be along for the ride.

I am a huge fan of the Frankie Elkin series, and I was eagerly anticipating the latest installment, "Kiss Her Goodbye." In this gripping story, Frankie is assigned the task of locating a young Afghan refugee woman. Throughout the narrative, I gained valuable insights into the fall of Kabul and the traumatic experiences faced by Afghan refugees. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and is profoundly moving and emotional. Lisa Gardner has once again produced an exceptional novel that was impossible to put down. I would rate it a solid four stars!

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Frankie Elkin #4
Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

We never know where Frankie is going to turn up next because Frankie doesn't know where she's going to turn up next. When one case is over she goes by gut instinct as much as anything else to help her pick her next case. Frankie's latest missing persons case takes her to Tucson, AZ and the first thing she has to do is find a job and living quarters. Frankie takes no money from the people she's helping so she has to earn her own way for the duration of the case. This time she has found a very interesting situation, a job that comes with an awesome living arrangement and more! If only Frankie doesn't freak out over what she must do to earn her keep.

The book starts out with someone telling us what has happened to her in the past. This is continued throughout the book and although reading what has occurred to this girl/woman and her family and those around her is very difficult, I liked those parts. It was a good way of letting us see and feel the terror, heartbreak, and futility of the events, allowing us to be right there. In the present day, Frankie is trying to find Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi and as the story goes on we will understand the past and present better although it's so much more than it first appears.

There is a lot of information to be absorbed in the present day and those in the know bring Frankie up to speed on the plight of Afghan and other refugees. It was a learning experience for me, too, and the more we know the more impossible Frankie's mission seems. Know that whatever comes her way, Frankie is up to the task (although her house sitting chores might do her in if they get too gross). If Frankie was a cat, I think she would have lost one of her lives in this story.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

This author always delivers and this is another book in the Frankie Elin series. Lots of twists and turns with emotional depth. Another gripping thriller that would be a great beach read for people that love mysteries!

Lisa Gardner is an auto buy author for me. I was so excited to read her latest, Kiss Her Goodbye. It did not disappoint!

I knew I was in for a treat with a book by Lisa Gardner and Kiss Her Goodbye did not disappoint.

Another Frankie Elkin story with plenty of twists and turns. This one is about finding an Afghan refugee.

Love the pace and fast chapters as it keeps the reader moving along.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to receive this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and grand central publishing for this arc!

I thought this was a great addition to the series. It was a quick read for me, read it just a couple hours after receiving it. Another great Lisa Gardner book.

Frankie Elkin #4, Lisa Gardner shines again. I have loved the Frankie Elkin series. In this book, "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."

Lisa walks us through war, refugee camps, greed, murder, mayhem and good people. Very well written and well researched book. I could not put it down till I was done. Of course this is fiction so you will have to suspend belief at times. Not everything can be prettily wrapped up and tied with a bow in real life like in the book. Still, I liked the book, maybe because I like Frankie and her passion to do good in her own sweet way.

One teeny request to Lisa Gardner, the dessert firni is just that Firni, not firni pudding as firni means pudding just like Chai means tea so no need to say Chai tea or firni pudding.

I was grateful to receive an ARC copy from #NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. The views are my own.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. The story is both relevant and well-written as is consistent with all of Ms Gardner's works; however, the narrative and plot were difficult to understand. With a large number of characters from both the present and the past, I found it challenging to keep track of everyone. Frankie stands out as a interesting and unforgettable character.

Thank you to the author, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Missing persons super-sleuth Frankie is on another case, this time tracking down a recent Afghan woman refugee in Tucson that has gone missing. Her backstory is slowly revealed as Frankie collects information on her whereabouts and relationships in Tucson and elsewhere, which for fans of Gardner's earlier work will be familiar (albeit this novel can be read independently). I am a big fan of her work but this novel got very dark towards the end and a bit too gory for my taste. I think Gardner did an excellent job characterizing the challenges and problems of the recent refugee community and how hard it is to separate one's life in before and after times, and that held my interest in this novel. But I think the ending ultimately is disappointing, which is why I don't give my wholehearted recommendation.

really intense and great addition to series. This author always writes a great thrill read and characters are great

I just adore prickly and adrift Frankie Elkin. Once again, Gardner has painted such amazing pictures I felt like I was in the heat of the Tucson desert and crush of refugee camp. Delightfully twisty and compelling.

It has been awhile since I’ve picked up a Gardner book. I’m glad I did, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and unexpected twists.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In all honesty this was not my favorite Lisa Gardner book. While I like the character of Frankie Elskins, this storyline and plot line were, at times, confusing to me. There was such a large cast of characters, both present and past, that I was having trouble keeping everyone in my head. Although the story is a timely one, I didn't feel it was for me.
Having said that, Gardner creates the most memorable characters and Frankie is a woman for the ages. I love her resilience, her vulnerability and her strength. She can be all three in one scene!
While I didn't like the book as much as other Gardner books, this one was well-written. 4 stars from me.

Frankie is back after spending time doing something she does not enjoy.....connecting. She takes on the case of missing woman and finds herself immersed in the Afgan culture and the world of refugees.

A child is missing her parents and the more Frankie looks into it, the more she wonders who is who, as more players expose themselves as also being interested in the missing.

Frankie also picks up a interesting job that allows her to meet people who are willing to help.

I learned so much from this book that encouraged me to find out more. I love the way the Afgan culture was brought to life

I appreciate the obvious care the author took to tell this story.

I appreciate the chance given to me by the publisher and NetGalley to offer my thoughts and opinions.

This next instalment of the Frankie Elkin series does not disappoint. I absolutely loved all the characters and missing person case as a whole. I was not familiar with the process of people trying to leave Afghanistan to get into the USA.and what Lisa Gardner describes is utterly heartbreaking.
I was captivated learning Sabera’s back story throughout the novel. I enjoyed watching Daryl, Gennie and Frankie’s relationship develop throughout the novel as they band together to keep Zahara safe. This book had me on edge many times; I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen next but alas never succeeded. Lisa Gardner does it again! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait for the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW! Outstanding. In the fourth Frankie Elkin book, Lisa Gardner pushes Frankie to not only find the missing person, but also examine her relationships and what she wants. Frankie is asked to locate an Afghan refugee who’s been moved to Tucson, AZ. Sabera has gone missing and her friend, Aliah knows she would never leave her 4 year old daughter behind. Told from two points of view, Frankie's and Sabera's, the story gives so much insight and depth to both the characters and the refugee process. i absolutely loved this book - and now, I even love iguanas! I cannot imagine the research that Ms. Gardner conducted to write this thoroughly incredible story. This is a book you will want to read twice! A huge thank you to the team at Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is the third Frankie Elkin book I've read and I've enjoyed them all. Frankie is a character trying to get her life together while helping to find missing people. This time she is searching for a missing woman in Tuscon. Her family was relocated there after fleeing Afghanistan. The imbuing of Afghan culture adds to the interest. Everything comes together and characters thought to be out of the story, reappear adding to the intrigue.

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.

My current clientele are all looking for books with no political bias or cultural issues. They are looking for an escape from today.’s climate and at my bookstore things with no political influence are selling far better.