I always enjoy Lisa Gardner’s books, but this is the first time I have read one in this series. This story was particularly interesting to me because it was a mystery that involved the plight of Afghan refugees in Tucson, AZ, and I live in Arizona, and lived in Afghanistan for a while, courtesy is the US Air Force. I met many of the kinds of people that would be targeted by the Taliban after the fall of Afghanistan.

I enjoyed the characters, as well as the settings. I was invested in all of the main ones, even though they were quirky enough to give the story a “cozy mystery” feel, even though that is not usually what I expect from Lisa Gardner.. I also enjoyed the account of her housing arrangements.

I respect the amount of research that must have gone into providing believable detail about so many things, but I thought when two English speakers investigated email chains between two Afghans, it stretched credulity that the contents could be understood in English; surely the two Afghans would have written in their native language, rather than in English for the convenience of any potential snoopers. I also thought the MI6 character was way over the top.

All in all, I would recommend this book to friends looking for an entertaining read.

I have love the Frankie Elkins series but this was my least favorite. Though the missing situation was mysterious, I don’t think there was as much suspense and edge of the seat moments Frankie has previously endured. Overall I enjoyed and hope for more in this series.

Fascinating, thought provoking, crushing yet still with a little twist of humor. I’m having a hard time determining all the feels I got from this Lisa Gardner novel as I’m still reeling from all I learned and experienced. Several times over dinner I felt compelled to tell my husband about what I was reading, particularly about the horrors occurring around the world and some of the things refugees who flee their homeland can go through just to survive. All the people and places they come in contact with along the way to becoming resettled is heartbreaking. It does compel me to do some research to find out how I can help though.

I like to choose books that provide me with the opportunity to learn something, maybe about history, different nationalities and customs, religions, careers or places I know little about. This book delivered on so many levels, including throwing in some things I never thought I’d want to know but enjoyed nevertheless like the care and feeding of reptiles! But it was handled in such a way that I was truly engaged whenever Marge or Petunia’s habitat or feeding needs were discussed, (and it didn’t even give me nightmares, bonus!)

I finished the book several hours ago and I already miss it.

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

Not my favorite of her books and I’m still on the fence with this character even after several books. I did find the refugee story li uninteresting as I don’t know much about that country’s history, etc. The beginning was good, dragged in the middle and I actually out it down for a few days to finish it. I just lost interest a bit. I will still read all Lisa Gardner books, just maybe not my favorite series.

This is honestly a very interesting story and about very current events that could honest to goodness actually have happened/be happening, I can’t lie, the beginning was a little slow for me but without the build up I wouldn’t have appreciated the ending quite as much. Over all how it turned out and loved living through the twists and turns with Frankie!

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.

A HUGE thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for letting me read this book! I love a good mystery with some historical fiction. It was one of those stories that I couldn't put down! I can't wait for this book to be out in the wild!

4.5 rounded to 5 stars.

Welcome back Frankie!

In this story Frankie is searching for a missing Afghan refugee & is told through two timelines; our missing woman Sabera, the past & Frankie, the present.

This is a complicated mystery / thriller with many complex characters who are brought to life brilliantly. I found the tone of this novel much different than previous ones in this series, but I think it’s because the subject matter was far more serious, true to life & heartbreaking than Frankie’s previous endeavors. At times I found it to be a slow burn, but that gave us a chance to learn more about the Afghan culture & the background of all those wonderful characters. My favorites, besides Frankie, being Daryl, Zahra, Genni & Petunia the Iguana.

Even through all the bad, we see Frankie’s humor shine through. (Let’s talk pythons & iguanas!)

Finally, I loved the mention of Crabby the crab, Wolfie the spider & Piper the feral cat from previous novels. How fun is that?

Will we see Frankie come back even stronger in the next installment of this series? I bet so!

If you are a fan of different cultures, spies & Frankie herself, then this book is for you.

Favorite Lines:
“Ghosts do exist. They’re just not always who we expect them to be.”
“My mother advised that to keep myself safe, I should peer into other people’s souls, but never let them see mine.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing & Lisa for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the next book in the Frankie Elkin series. There's no need to read the other books in the series. I couldn't put this book down. Lisa Gardner knows how to write thrillers!

Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters' lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner was another well written book. As always, all loose ends were tied up after Gardner carefully plans out the storyline. I enjoyed reading about Frankie Elkin again on another missing person's case. It intrigued me as the idea of Afghan refugees were used as the main characters. It made me reflect on and think deeply about the awful situation and journeys those people had to endure. I tried, as always, to predict how it was going to end, but Gardner seems to always weave her plot deeper than other suspense/thriller novelists, which is superb.
I enjoyed the read!

Lisa Gardner always has me hooked with her police procedurals and this was no different.

Kiss Her Goodbye features a FMC who while not trained, is exceptionally good at locating missing persons.

Highlighting the struggles and experiences of refugees Frankie steps in help reunite a daughter and family with their mom.

The twists and turns are typical of Lisa Gardner and they always leave me pleased with the book.

I have previously read her DD Warren, FBI profiler, and Tessa Leoni series. This was my first Frankie Elkin and I was able to enjoy it with no prior knowledge of previous books in her series. I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series, it was that good.

Thank you GCP for this ARC!

3⭐️s - Frankie is back in this 4th one and I just love her character. This can be read as standalone but also a series that builds on Frankie. It’s a slow burn thriller and took me a bit to finish. The pet sitting snakes was a bit different mix in the story? Little off for me but others who enjoy slow burn thrillers will enjoy this one!

Expected release: 8/12/25

✨Special thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for this complimentary digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
While I have not read any other books in this series, it was not a problem to read it as a standalone. There was enough description to still understand the protagonist and be able to follow along with what makes her unique and how she does things.
The story line was interesting and incorporates something in our society that is all too common. People living in a different culture and background where others might not fully understand them and things get overlooked.
While the story was good, I wasn't fully invested into it as I felt that some things just seemed a little too far fetched and made up. Understanding this is obviously fiction. I just couldn't get into truly liking the protagonist. While I love this author, this one wasn't one of my favorites of her.

I love Lisa Gardner novels. They are twisty and always have a fascinating main character at the center with emotional human arcs. This one was no different. My heart went out to the Afghan refugees. I love when books teach me about other cultures and open my eyes to stuff I'm unaware of. I do think maybe she was trying to cram too much of what she learned as an author into one book but I still enjoyed this installment. Cannot wait for the next one!

"But you, your fellow refugees, miss it." "Home is always home, like family is always family. It doesn't have to be perfect for it to feel like the place we belong."

I was so excited to dive into Kiss Her Goodbye, Lisa Gardner is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this is the fourth Frankie Elkin book I’ve read. Once again, Gardner delivers a suspenseful, emotionally rich story with unforgettable characters and a mystery that kept me reading past my bedtime.

What I love most about the Frankie Elkin series is how it combines missing person cases with deep human insight. In this story, I learned so much especially about the struggles of Afghan refugees. I had no idea how terrifying and harsh life in refugee camps could be, or how difficult it is for people to even enter the country legally. A few details about rats in the camps were honestly shocking, I’ll never forget the poor babies.

Gardner also wove in information about snakes and iguanas, which made me understand why some people enjoy them as pets. It’s clear she puts a lot of research into her books about animals, cultures and food, and I always come away from them having learned something new. I may have to find an Afghanistan restaurant to try.

Kiss Her Goodbye isn’t just a mystery about a missing person it’s a story that opens your eyes and makes you think. Frankie is such an amazing character, and I loved following her journey once again.

Highly recommended for fans of thrillers with heart and substance. I already can’t wait for the next Frankie Elkin story, and we also need some more DD Warren books!!

3.25 stars

I really enjoyed the Frankie books but I thought this one was a little slow to get into, and not as many twists that I am use to. I think the story I'd very relevant to the political climate we are living, and van almost be triggering. Definitely an important message.

Kiss Her Goodbye totally pulled me in from the start. Lisa Gardner really knows how to build suspense, and the story kept me guessing the whole way through. The characters felt real, especially the lead, who’s dealing with some heavy personal stuff that makes the case even more intense.

The plot moves fast, with plenty of twists, and just when you think you’ve figured things out—nope, another curveball. I did see one of the big reveals coming, which took a bit of the edge off near the end, but overall, it was still super engaging.

This is probably my second favorite Frankie book in the series!

With our current political climate, I thought this book was very apt with information about how refugees come to America, the process they go through can be so dangerous. I learned a lot about how long and arduous it is.

Also, the authors note at the end was very interesting to me. Take the time to read it when you finish with the book.

I really enjoy this series and I hope we are treated to yet another book about a Frankie adventure!


Thanks for NetGalley for an advance copy.