Thank you NetGalley! I absolutely love Lisa Gardner’s books and have read them all. I’m enjoying the new series addition of the Frankie Elkin series. As always, her books are full of a great story and a mystery for our main character to help out with. My rating is based on the content of the book, which I didn’t care for. But I overall enjoyed the book

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Lisa Gardner, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy Kiss Her Goodbye. All opinions are my own.

Summary:
In Lisa Gardner’s 4th book in the detective Frankie Elkin series, a young Afghan mother, Sabera, disappears. Sabera is a linguist, her husband a mathematician and their daughter a child prodigy with a photographic memory. The book alternates between two timelines - the current missing persons case and the strife and hardships back in Afghanistan as Sabera and her family try to escape and make a better life for themselves in the US.

Reflection:
Kiss Her Goodbye is a thoughtful and emotional story, but still a fun read. I was expecting more of a thriller, but it was definitely a mystery with a bit of historical fiction in the mix. This is the fourth book in this series, but admittedly my first to read and I will definitely be checking out the other three books. This one can definitely be read as a standalone.
Sabera’s life in Kabul, family dynamics, escape from the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, and refugee experience was eye opening and emotional. Sabera’s disappearance was the focus of the book but the historical fiction storyline is essential is understanding the current situation and character dynamics.
Balanced with the emotional parts of this book are the light-hearted adopted family that Frankie finds: an ex-con limo driver, ballroom dancing parole officer, and a transgender cook with personality to spare. Not to mention the housing Frankie finds includes taking care of an enormous python, baby pythons, and a temperamental iguana. It seems like an odd combination, but it works and gives the readers some comic relief when needed.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to catching up on the Frankie Elkin books in the series.

Publishes on August 12, 2025

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “Kiss Her Goodbye” is scheduled for release on August 12, 2025.
“Kiss Her Goodbye” is the fourth book in author Lisa Gardner’s series about Frankie Elkin, a recovering alcoholic who spends her life searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for.
I’ve read the previous three (“Before She Disappeared”, “A Step Too Far”, and “Still See you Everywhere”), and I wish I could say this was the best of the batch. Unfortunately, it’s just the opposite.
In “Kiss Her Goodbye,” Frankie travels to Tucson, Arizona to take up the search for Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi who was last seen leaving her place of employment three weeks prior. Initially, the police are unconcerned (which I suppose says a lot about their lack of interest in the city’s burgeoning Afghan population). But Sabera’s close friend, Aliha, is convinced there’s trouble because Sabera would never up and leave her four-year-old daughter, Zahra.
The story becomes convoluted quickly, and there were times I paused and wondered, what the heck is going on? Frankie quickly realizes this is not your run-of-the-mill missing person’s cold case, which is her specialty. It also becomes readily apparent that she is out of her league. To catch her (and the reader) up, paragraphs of running dialogue from Aliha and others attempt to explain the Afghan way of life. But these quickly become a tedious read.
There are periodic chapters that read like journal entries made by Sabera years earlier during the turbulent fall of Kabul. But rather than provide important backstory, they seem to be taken out of context and only serve to confuse. I often thought, who are these people? But the answers are not apparent.
Even the side challenge Frankie faces of having to house sit (and feed) a large iguana and a host of snakes lost its potential luster fast. And the ending, while attempting to pull everything together, comes up short.
If there is a book five in the series, I will check it out based on my affection for the first three books. And hope that “Kiss Her Goodbye” is just a small pothole in the series.
Three stars, based mostly on the strength of the previous books.
And you can check out all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.

⭐️: 4/5

Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series is the series that introduced me to Gardner as an author, and since discovering it, I’ve also read almost all of the rest of her backlog and other series, but Frankie will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to her main series characters. I was anxious for this fourth installment of this series, since it seems like Frankie has been getting herself into more and more high intensity situations when it comes to her need to find missing people, and this book is no exception. She finds herself in the midst of not only familial drama this time, but international affairs drama.

As always with Gardner’s books, the subjects touched upon with the plot of this one are so timely, and do a great job of bringing attention to real life issues that are often ignored. This one in particular felt very well researched and almost informative of the refugee crisis, while also giving us the missing person, suspense, mystery drama that we crave when we pick up one of her books. I love how Frankie is different than Gardner’s normal main female characters, as she has no law enforcement training and kind of flies by the seat of her pants, but despite just being a layperson, she still gets the job done, often better than the trained FMCs in her other books.

In addition to the propulsive storyline, there was an absolutely wild little side plot having to do with Frankie’s living situation in Tucson involving reptiles, which was equal parts weirdly delightful and horrifyingly nightmare inducing. What is it with Lisa Gardner bring icky little creatures into almost all of her books?? 😂

I really enjoyed this read, and while I didn’t necessarily find it as unputdownable as some of her others (primarily the first two Frankie Elkin books), its other redeeming qualities made it really good!

Thank you to @netgalley and @grandcentralpub for providing this eARC in exchange for my review!!

Each Lisa Gardner book is a treat and I have to set aside time because I know I'm not going to want to put it down. Every book in the Frankie Elkin series is well worth reading but this latest one takes the series to a new level. Lisa Gardner's books are always based on detailed research but this one, which highlights the plight of Afghanistan refugees in the context of a missing person, seems to be the most well researched of all of her books. The story based on this research is an incredible journey for the reader. Not to mention that Frankie Elkin is a great character, the book moves a page-turning pace, and the twists are absolutely unexpected. If you are new to the Frankie Elkin series, I recommend starting with the first book, "Before She Disappeared" and reading them in order. Although this can easily be read as a stand alone. Highly recommended

Thanks to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy.

I’m a Lisa Gardner fan, but I admit I only know her work (so far) from her four mysteries featuring Frankie Elkin. I came upon the first, Before She Disappeared, at random. But I sought out each one after that. They were all exciting, with well-developed characters and unique situations. But Kiss Her Goodbye, the fourth offering, shines as unexpected, intelligent, relevant— along with super exciting. The setting and action in Tucson’’s Afghan refugee area was developed beautifully. Alternating chapters took readers into the missing woman’s complicated backstory following her family from the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, through refugee camps, and to eventual U.S. relocation in Tucson— which was supposed to be safety. The twists and unexpected details made for a memorable Frankie Elkin installment.

In this latest entry of Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series, Frankie dives into the mystery of Sabera Ahmadi, a refugee from Afghanistan who went missing after arriving in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband and their four-year-old daughter.

It was concerning that, despite her friends’ worries, no missing persons reports had been filed and the police didn't take her disappearance seriously. Luckily, Frankie Elkin is on the case. Her mission is to tell the stories of those no is looking for. The side characters in this story are incredibly interesting, and I want to know more about their lives as well. Frankie is a loner, but she has a special way of impacting those around her, and they rally around her causes.

It's told from the past/present dual POV of Frankie and Sabera. It was done very well as both Frankie and Sabera had their own distinct voices and the differnet timeframes added depth to the storytelling.

There were a few mentions of characters and situations from previous books in the series, but I didn’t feel lost at all. As someone who hasn't read the earlier books, I was still able to enjoy the story without missing any important details. In fact, I’m even more eager to check out the other books now because Frankie is such a fascinating character!

I’d definitely pick up another book by Lisa Gardner. I really enjoyed her writing style and appreciated the research she put into the experiences of refugees.

I didn't realize until I finished this book that it was part of a series! I now have the other two books I've missed on hold at the library. The story line was intriguing and the ending was a definite surprise!

Frankie Elkin is back searching for a new missing person, this time in Tucson, Arizona. Sabera Ahmadi is a recent Afghan refugee and a young mother of a 4-year-old child. When she suddenly disappears, Sabera’s friend contacts Frankie to try to find her. Frankie discovers there’s more going on than she initially realized- both Sabera and her husband Isaaq are both highly educated, academically gifted, and seem to have secrets in their pasts. What did they leave behind in Afghanistan, and who would benefit from making Sabera disappear?

I’ve been reading Lisa Gardner books for the better part of two decades, and I’ve enjoyed them all. Miss her Goodbye was no different! This was the fourth book in her Frankie Elkin series, but it’s not essential to read them in order. Clearly well-researched, this book contained a lot of information on Afghanistan and refugee resettlement, which I found really interesting. The story moved along at a good pace. I did find the ending to be a little bit confusing and there were a lot of characters to keep track of along the way. It always feels so nostalgic to me to return to a Lisa Gardner novel. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Kiss Her Goodbye is the first time I have met Frankie Elkin and I am a fan! In her fourth book, Frankie sets off to Tucson, Arizona to find a missing Afghan woman. I was so pleased to read a book that embraced another culture and taught me things I didn’t know. It was clear to me that Lisa Gardner did her research. The compelling way in which she wove a story of bravery and survival against the back drop of a twisty thriller was fantastic. The characters were well developed and kept me invested throughout. I will be reading more Frankie Elkin stories for sure. There were some small, mostly insignificant, details about reptiles that I found annoying. I didn’t think this added to the story in anyway and made for a pretty cheesy ending. But overall, I enjoyed it! Thanks so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Titles for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review! I am grateful.

Frankie Elkin is back, this time in Tucson. The real meat of this story is in Kabul, however, and is truly eye opening. My favorite Frankie Elkin book to date!

Five stars isn’t enough

Lisa Gardner…

We’re talking about the undisputed queen of intelligent, emotionally complex thrillers. She’s been serving masterpiece after masterpiece for decades, and somehow? STILL outdoes herself.

I’ve read every single book she’s written—and Kiss Her Goodbye is Gardner at her sharpest, darkest, and most unrelenting.

Frankie Elkin is BACK, and if you’ve followed her journey through this series, you know she doesn’t just find missing people—she unearths truths that entire systems would rather keep buried.

This time, Frankie is searching for Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee and mother who vanished from her job weeks ago. The cops? Doing absolutely nothing. Her husband? Suspiciously indifferent. Her best friend? Desperate. And then—just as Frankie steps in—a video drops that flips everything upside down: Sabera is seen calmly walking away from a double homicide.

And from there, things escalate FAST.

There’s math.

There’s espionage.

There’s a child with a photographic memory being hunted

There are twists so savage I had to hit pause and just sit with myself.

Oh, and there’s a scene in a library that lives rent-free in my head now. You’ll know it when you get there.

Lisa Gardner is operating on another level. This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a deeply human story about survival, motherhood, memory, and the lengths we go to for those we love.

And Frankie?

She’s one of the most layered, flawed, badass characters in modern crime fiction. I would follow her into literal hell.

✨ If you’re new to the series:
YES, you can start here.

✨ If you’re a long-time fan:
THIS IS THE ONE.

✨ If you’ve never read Lisa Gardner before:
Girl, what are you doing??

When a mother vanishes, Frankie Elkin steps in to find the truth — before it’s too late.

Frankie Elkin, missing persons expert, heads to Tucson, Arizona, to search for Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee who hasn’t been seen in weeks. The local police are dragging their feet, and Sabera’s husband seems suspiciously unconcerned. Only Sabera’s best friend is willing to admit what everyone else is avoiding — something terrible has happened. As Frankie digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of family secrets, a missing mathematician husband, and a daughter with an extraordinary memory that might just hold the key to it all. Violence is circling this family, and Frankie’s running out of time to stop it.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
There’s something about this series that just works, but you absolutely do not have to read the others before jumping into this one. Kiss Her Goodbye stands perfectly on its own. I never felt like I missed anything or had to play catch-up.

What pulled me in immediately was the emotional depth. This is not just a missing persons case slapped onto a crime thriller blueprint. It’s layered, with so much heart woven through the tension and danger. The dread builds with every page, and honestly, Lisa Gardner is a pro at making you feel it settle right into your bones. This is not a fast-paced race to the end. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff? Totally worth it.

Frankie is exactly the kind of character I love following — stubborn, smart, and absolutely determined to bring people home, no matter how messy or dangerous it gets. I loved the addition of Zahra, the daughter, and how Gardner highlights her unique memory in a way that adds both tension and heartbreak. And yes, this book brings the heartbreak. It is loaded with twists and layered reveals, but it never forgets to focus on the human element.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. Do not skip Gardner’s author’s note at the end. It gives the whole story an even deeper impact once you understand the inspiration behind it.

The Vibes It Brings:
🔍 Missing Persons Mystery
👩‍🦰 Relentless Female Protagonist
💔 Found Family and Fierce Loyalty
🔥 Slow Burn Tension
🔢 Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight
👧 Precocious Child with a Big Role
💣 Danger Lurking at Every Turn
🛑 Obstacles at Every Step
🌵 Arizona Heat and High Stakes

TL;DR:
Emotional, suspenseful, and packed with tension, Kiss Her Goodbye proves why Lisa Gardner is a powerhouse in crime fiction. Frankie Elkin delivers another unforgettable investigation with heart and grit. A must-read for fans of slow burn thrillers with depth, danger, and plenty of twists.

Frankie Elkin and her own band of misfits are the greatest! this mystery wasn't like the previous ones, and wasn't as intriguing to me...but man the characters were just so good!!
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Loved the entire thing. Lisa Gardner did her research and I appreciate how sensitive her writing was for the topic. It kept me guessing and also taught me a lot.

This was an ARC from NetGalley. Frankie Elkins is back for a fourth story. The subject matter and tone were much different than the previous novels. There was a large focus on educating the audience about Afghani culture and heavy topics of immigration, the sudden and lasting impacts of war, and post partum depression. I appreciated a lot of the perspective and was educated. The supporting cast were enjoyable. The ultimate endgame of the story got overly complex and Frankie's mental state from the wear of her chosen life left this ending unresolved. #netgalley #kisshergoodbye #immigration #mystery #frankieelkin

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.

Frankie Elkin takes on missing person cases that law enforcement doesn’t seem that eager to solve themselves. This time she’s searching for Sabera, an Afghan refugee currently living in temporary housing with her husband, Isaad, and daughter, Zahra. The more Frankie learns about Sabera and her family, the more confused she becomes. She gets help from several unexpected individuals and finds herself in danger, encounters murder, secrets, and more people disappearing under mysterious circumstances. Can Frankie find Sabera before it’s too late? Some of the scenes she encounters in her search don’t make that seem likely. But Frankie isn’t giving up.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just when you were anticipating a standard tale of locating a missing person, in steps Frankie Elkin with her unexpected team of fellow searchers who come together risking their own lives. Hired to locate an Afghani refugee mother, we soon dive into Afghanistan before and after the US troops leave the country. We experience what it must be like to survive the hardships in refugee facilities. It is evident that Ms. Gardner has done an enormous amount of research into the refugee camps as well as the lawlessness during the fall of Kabul as the Americans left the country. There are both funny moments and serious moments, full of laughs as well as tension and twists. This is one of the best books you’ll read this year.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner due to be released August 12, 2025

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

This is another Frankie Elkin book, she is a character that makes you want to keep following to see what she does next. Frankie lives her life to find those that are missing and always seems to land on her feet. Maybe a little battered and bruised but always determined.

This book follows a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera, that Frankie is determined to locate. Sabera has the ability to listen to others speak in different languages and picks it up as if it’s her native tongue. She has a young daughter, Zahra, who remembers everything she sees.

There are quite a few characters and each one is as lovable as the next. I really enjoyed this book and have read most of Lisa Gardner books. This is a fast, easy read but has some hard to read scenes i.e. refugee camps, torture, etc… I gave it 5 stars and highly recommend! It has a great story line and Lisa Gardner paints a vivid picture but also throws in some humor.