Kiss Her Goodbye is an intense, fast-paced thriller that grabs you from the start. When Sabera, a young Afghan refugee and mother, goes missing, Frankie Elkin takes on the case and quickly realizes nothing is as it seems. Between Sabera’s mysterious disappearance, her brilliant husband, and their daughter with a memory that could put her in danger, the stakes keep getting higher and higher. I loved how the story mixed family drama, survival, and suspense…it’s not just about finding a missing woman, it’s about unraveling a past that refuses to stay buried. Full of tension and twists, this is the kind of book you can’t stop reading once you start.

Kiss Her Good-bye by Lisa Gardner is part of a series; this is the first of the series I have read. It features a woman, Frankie Elkin, who finds lost people. Sometimes she gets paid; sometimes not. She is currently in Tucson, Arizona, speaking to an Afghan woman, Aliah, who assists Afghani refugees, about another Afghani woman, Sabera, who has disappeared. The important thing to know: what happens in Afghanistan follows refugees outside of Afghanistan. The book is sprinkled with Sabera’s memories, which are actually more informative and touching than the story itself. Sabera has a daughter, Zahra, and a husband. He ends up dead. It is a complicated chase. Frankie’s is a complicated life: having very little cash, she looks for a live-in sort of job. She gets one immediately: looking after household pets, which turn out to be a giant iguana, a huge snake, and a dozen baby snakes. Thankfully it also comes with a cook, Genni, and a driver, Daryl, who is big and burly and comes in very handy.

This is an entertaining book with far too many hints of reality. Frankie carries her own burdens, which are many, which probably helps with her empathy for those she helps. It’s a slow moving story, which becomes a fast-paced one in a second. The situation is complicated. Too many of the people that know Sabera are aid employees and bound to confidentiality. It makes finding her more complicated. Then there is a robbery, shown on the news, and Aliah recognizes Sabera’s headscarf. The hunt is on. There are many pieces and sometimes it is difficult to know who the good guys are. Kiss Her Good-by is a face-paced book with many moving pieces. Don’t read it on a day you are out of focus.

I was invited to read Kiss Her Good-bye by Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GrandCentralPublishing # LisaGardner #KissHerGoodbye

I kept getting super confused by the characters and storylines in this audiobook. However, when I finally caught up it was a good story and I wish I had understood it for the whole way through 🤣

I am an avid lover of Lisa Gardner books but this one wasn’t my fav! Again, a decent storyline but a little hard to follow.

Lisa Gardner is one of my all-time favorite authors she literally always delivers! No matter how many books she writes, her ideas stay fresh, her themes are unique, and her pacing keeps me hooked from page one to the very end.

Kiss Her Goodbye is part of the Frankie Elkin series, which you can read in any order, but trust me, you’ll want to start at the beginning to fully appreciate how brilliantly Lisa develops Frankie’s character over time.

In this installment, Gardner weaves in compelling details about Afghan culture and the real-life events that have shaped the refugees who’ve sought safety here. The cast of characters is diverse, dynamic, and when thrown together forms a kick ass, life-saving team.

The tension? Impeccable. I couldn’t put it down… or stop listening! The audiobook narrator was excellent, bringing the story to life in the best way.

If you’re new to Lisa Gardner, I highly recommend diving into her DD Warren series, too! It’s perfect for fans of serial killer and FBI thrillers. But this Frankie Elkin series? Absolutely top-tier.

⭐ Rating: Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is book 4 in the Frankie Elkin series, but you can read it on its own, like I did lol. I just snatched it up & didn’t realize it was a series. It had thrills & suspense. A page turner

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. This latest Frankie Elkin novel blends suspense with Gardner’s signature character depth as Frankie searches for a missing person under tense and dangerous circumstances. While at times I found the pacing a little difficult to track, I still appreciated Gardner’s tight writing and ability to keep the tension simmering. Fans of complex mysteries and layered characters will likely enjoy this addition to the series.

This book hit me very hard. I had NO idea what it was like to be a refuge in this country, and even though I had heard that people come here to escape the dangers they faced in their homeland, reading about what these people's lives were like with the Taliban presence really enlightened me that my naive optimism that things probably weren't really that bad in other countries was extremely ignorant. And when I think about the current political climate in this country, I ache for all these people who came here for a better life and then we treat them all like criminals. But all of that is just the backstory, interspersed with what is going on in the present, which is that one of the refugee women begs Frankie Elkin, whose 'hobby' is finding missing people, to find her friend Sabera. The woman has been missing for a few weeks and her friend insisted that Sabera would NEVER leave her daughter, although it was a different story when it came to her husband. And then the husband receives a package and immediately vanishes. It was fascinating reading from beginning to end and now I want to go back and read the beginning books in this series.

4.5 stars rounded up (4 for my general taste, 5 for the genre)

Wow! It was my first ever Lisa Gardner book and I finished it in one day—I was immediately hooked. It's have not read previous books from the Frankie Elkin series and now I'm planning to catch up on them; but this one can be read as an outstanding standalone. Gardner introduces her protagonist in a smooth and engaging way, and Frankie's prior adventures are only a background to this story.

Frankie Elkin has a mission. Despite lacking professional credentials to do so, she locates missing people—specifically those that nobody is looking for. She's aware that her investigations can lead to corpses and tragic endings, but she claims that everyone deserves an ending rather than an unknown. She accepts invitations from concerned relatives or friends and one of those invitations leads her to Tucson, AZ...

Sabera, a young Afghan refugee recently relocated to the US, disappeared without a trace. Her friend claims that Sabera would never leave her 4-year-old daughter behind, but the authorities do not even consider it a missing persons case yet. Who was Sabera, however? A faithful wife or someone who considers a divorce? A woman enthralled by the new opportunities in the US or plagued by PTSD? Everyone whom Frankie talks to seems to have different answers, and Sabera seems to have more secrets than expected.

Each chapter ends with an engaging cliffhanger, and those written from Sabera's perspective add flavour and context to the plot (albeit she is an unreliable narrator). Beyond Frankie and Sabera, I was impressed by the supporting cast of witnesses, authorities, and unexpected allies that Frankie met in Tucson. Each of them was distinct and interesting, a complete person (a hard thing to do in a novel where some characters only serve to provide investigation clues) and Frankie became a part of a surprising found family during her petsitting gig. Even though the mystery is grim and some tragic things are bound to happen, this novel ultimately depicts the good in people: ex-prisoner, a rich gamer kid, or a ballroom-dancing cop are moved by Sabera's story and keep helping Frankie.

The novel also has a very strong sense of place, both Tucson and Kabul. The plot concerning Sabera's life in Afghanistan and her experience in refugee camp was one of the most interesting to follow, and Sabera's husband was an excellent character (fully-fleshed, morally dubious and as intriguing as her). The novel does a great job of highlighting refugee experiences—it evokes empathy, but without being preachy about it.

On the downside, some plot twists or solutions seemed too convenient or too rushed (especially towards the ending) and I had to suspend some disbelief in the logic of characters' decisions or the authorities' procedures—but that's to be expected in the name of being entertained!

This is the 4th book in the Frankie Elkin series. This time, she makes her way to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan woman.

Frankie, a missing persons expert, heads out with her meager belongings and finds temporary lodgings at a huge gated mansion in Tucson where she is hired to pet sit an iguana and some snakes. Also in residence, since the owner is absent, are a transgender cook and a big tough chauffeur with an obviously checkered past. The three team up to investigate the local Afghan refugee community while searching for the missing Sabera Ahmadi at the behest of her friend. The local police are uninterested and Frankie immediately ascertains that there is much more going on than a missing wife who left her 4-year-old daughter and husband behind. It seems that Sabera has some very unique skills and abilities that made her a target for those who want the information she hides.

I was looking for a classic escape into the typical but this was too sad, too emotional, and too real for the type of suspense thriller that I was expecting in this series. I just couldn't get into all the background of what happened (twice) in Kabul with the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan. Their terrible struggles to survive and their treatment in refugee camps both abroad and in USA were just not what I was anticipating in a beach read. Also the whole ghost thing isn't something I like to read in a novel in any case. It was just too realistic on one hand and too out there with the visions on the other. There were other aspects that detracted as well. And can we please stop with the main characters being able to find the passwords and get into computers and/or phones they happen to find lying about? For the most part, I just couldn't buy into the whole story arc and how it all played out.

Anyway, this was an OK read, but wasn't what I was looking for in a book in this series. It seems I'm an outlier in my review and reaction and I'm find with that. If there's another in the Frankie Elkin series, I'll likely check it out. This one can stand alone as everything you really need to know requires no backstory to be appreciated.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Hillary Huber, did a nice job with all the character voices, particularly with the accents. I always believe, however, that a production would be enhanced by having a male speaker as well. In any event, enjoying both simultaneously enhances my appreciation of any novel.

Lisa Gardner has done it again! I have a special place in my heart for Frankie, and am always thrilled to be back in her head. I really loved the format of this story, and enjoyed learning more about Sabera through journal entries - the way the journals were woven with the present day timeline was seamless, and I really appreciated that. This one felt a tad long, and the ending wasn't as crazy as I thought it would be, but I think it made sense with the story itself and I found myself feeling really happy at the end. All of the characters grew on me as the story developed, and I liked that I had no idea who to trust. Also, I ALWAYS make sure to read the acknowledgements because it is so fascinating learning all of the research and hands on things Lisa Gardner took on to create a story. Lisa Gardner will forever be an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the arc of this book so I could read it early - I got my preorder of it in the mail & am so delighted to add it to my shelf :)

Not bad but the story didn’t keep my attention. The story felt slow and it really dragged in some parts. There were also too many characters and I found it hard to connect to them all or any of them really.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

n Kiss Her Goodbye, Frankie Elkin returns, scrappy, stubborn, and fiercely dedicated to finding the people the world forgets. This time, she’s in Tucson, Arizona, searching for Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee and mother who’s been missing for weeks while law enforcement shrugs it off. Frankie’s search leads her to some… let’s say unusual accommodations (hi, snakes and Petunia the iguana), but of course, she presses on.

The story alternates between Frankie’s present-day investigation and Sabera’s harrowing past in Kabul. These flashbacks are emotionally heavy but beautifully written, showing Sabera’s strength and the weight of the trauma she carries. It gives the mystery real heart, and raises the stakes. As the case deepens, so does Frankie’s sense that there’s much more going on beneath the surface than anyone is letting on.

There’s a bit of a slow burn in the middle with some layered backstories, but once the pace picks up again, it’s classic Lisa Gardner: suspenseful, smart, and emotionally charged. Frankie remains one of the most unique and compelling characters in the genre, flawed but so fiercely compassionate.

This one isn’t just a whodunnit, it’s a story of resilience, survival, and the quiet power of showing up for someone when no one else will. Definitely worth the read, whether you’re new to the series or already a fan.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Frankie finds herself on the road again - this time in Tucson, AZ. She is trying to find a missing woman who has been gone 3 weeks. She goes to Arizona with no clue where she is going to find work or a place to stay. She just knows she is ready to begin wandering again. Serab is a mother of a 4-year-old who came to America after Kabul fell to the Taliban again. Soon her husband goes missing as well. Frankie realizes there is a lot more going on than she originally thought. She finds a job pet sitting and it was a wonder she didn't run screaming from the house. I would have. She befriends an Iguana and has to tend to several snakes as well. She meets two employees of Bart's also. She soon realizes they are all a band of misfits who fit in well together. She even uses Daryl to help her with her crazy ideas most of the time. He helps her with all of her crazy ideas. It is intriguing to realize how much greed there is in the world. There was a lot going on in this book and it was entertaining. To say Frankie found herself in the middle of quite a mess is an understatement. She has a hard time knowing who to trust and what is really going on. I won't spoil it for anyone. I will say this was one of my favorites in this series.

Lisa Gardner’s Kiss Her Goodbye is a a mystery novel with some light hearted humor and suspense thrown in.

When Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi vanishes—leaving behind her toddler and a husband who seems oddly calm—missing persons expert Frankie Elkin steps in. But a video of Sabera fleeing a double murder changes.everything.

If you enjoy the Frankie Elkin series then this book won't disappoint.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the wonderful Hillary Huber. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Missing person expert Frankie Elkin takes on a case of finding a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera, that no one seems to be looking very hard for. Then a video surfaces with the young mother walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder. When her husband also disappears and an attempt is made on their child's life, Frankie needs to act quickly.

Frankie is back! She is such a good character, full of flaws, dark humor, and the absolute dedication to find those missing. Frankie lands a swanky place to live for the month, with the job of pet sitting - for some very exotic pets. But she also meets the owner's workers/friends, who become lifelines for her. Told in two timelines, we hear Sabera's complex story in the past. While the book also shines light on important issues such as the challenges of refugees and the affordable housing crisis, it's also a fun, twisty thriller that kept me gripped. It can certainly be read as a stand alone (I missed the first couple) and I'm anxiously awaiting the next adventure for Frankie. As always, Hillary Huber's narration was amazing, voicing all of the characters in the cast perfectly. Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner is the 4th book in her Frankie Elkin series. The story begins when an Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. Sabera's closest friend, Allah is convinced that Sabera would never leave her three year old daughter, Zahra. She calls Frankie Elkin, to help find Sabera. Frankie Elkin works for the missing, seeking those that others can’t find often when the authorities have given up. She finds them. Frankie travels to Tucson to dig into the investigation of the missing Sabera. Frankie is low on money, and she manages to get a job pet sitting for a video guru who will be out of the country. Frankie is needed to take care of his pets; enormous python, mini pythons, and Petunia the iguana.

While Frankie investigates, she discovers a video showing Sabera at the scene of a brutal double murder. The more she digs, the dangerous things get. The Ahmadi family, having moved from Kabul, begin a good life, as the father is genius mathematician; Sabera is brilliant linguist and their daughter Zahra, even at a young age, has a photographic memory.

Frankie does all she can to Sabera, as she has help from her best friend Allah, Daryl, and Rosemary. They know that someone is trying to find Sabera or even Zahra; so they move into the mansion that Frankie is staying in. Danger is on the horizon.

Frankie is a fantastic, gusty, brave, resilient person, who always finds a way to save those missing. You definitely want her on your side. As we get closer to the end, Sabera will show up, questioning Frankie. There were so many twists along the way.

Kiss Her Goodbye was a filled with tension, heartbreak, mystery, emotional and shocking reveals. This was a rollercoaster story that was extremely tense. Kiss Her Goodbye was so very well written by Lisa Gardner. Frankie Elkin always finds the missing, and she is a fantastic heroine. I suggest you read Kiss Her Goodbye.

This book blends suspense with heart, throwing in found family, pet-sitting chaos, and a mystery that refuses to stay buried.

Ah, Frankie is back in a good way! After last year's clunker, this one is gripping and interesting.

Frankie Elkin is an expert in finding missing people. She is called to help out in Tucson, Arizona, where a recent Afghan immigrant named Sabera Ahmadi left her job three weeks previously and had not been seen since. She leaves behind her husband Isaad and her young daughter Zahra, and everyone who knows Sabera says that she would never leave Zahra. The police don't take it seriously and so Frankie arrives to help. As the days go by, things begin to get more and more complicated and dangerous for everyone involved.

I listened to this book as an audiobook and I'm really glad I did. Hillary Huber's narration is spot on as always. The pronunciations of the people and places in Afghanistan roll off of Huber's tongue, helping me to stay present in the story rather than tripping over unfamiliar words. Her accents are fantastic and made me invested in the story. At this point in the series, Huber is the voice of Frankie, so I feel as if she personifies Frankie's sarcastic personality as well.

There's a lot of humor woven into the plot surrounding Frankie's living situation and job as a reptile sitter for a wealthy tech billionaire. It helps to give levity to the otherwise heavy storyline. This isn't a perfect book, there are some parts that did drag and some very convenient situations, but overall this installment of the series is so much better than the previous one I could ignore the small drawbacks.

Although Frankie is a continuing character through each of these books, they can definitely be read as standalone novels. The mysteries in each is self-contained, although there are some briefly mentioned references to the other books in the series.

Frankie Elkin finds missing people, especially ones that nobody else seems to be trying too hard to find. Running from a good relationship (that scares her), she arrives in Tuscon to find Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan immigrant and young mother who has been missing for three weeks, since she failed to return home from work one night. Oddly, her much older, domineering husband doesn't seem to be missing her: a friend who has been helping Sabera adjust to life in Tuscon is the one asking for Frankie's help, convinced that Sabera would not willingly leave her 4 year old daughter. Kiss Her Goodbye is a wonderfully complex and twisty story that is full of quirky, interesting characters and creatures. As always, Gardner has done her research (I always enjoy reading the author notes at the end) and the story is a well written, engaging and exciting with a dash of humor. While there are references to previous Frankie books, not having read them won't affect your enjoyment of this one and I don't think reading this one will spoil any of the prior ones should you go back to read them after Kiss her Goodbye.

Sabera, an Afghan refugee living in Tucson, has been missing for three weeks. Last seen leaving the luxury hotel where she worked, she seemed to vanish without a trace. Her husband doesn’t know where she went - and doesn’t seem to want to find out - and the police lose interest after hearing rumors she planned to leave him. Desperate for answers, Sabera’s friend Aliah turns to Frankie Elkin for help.

Frankie, who specializes in missing person cold cases, feels an unusual pull toward this one. With just a single suitcase to her name, she arrives in Tucson and lands in a unique living situation that comes with a few reptilian roommates. Once she’s settled, Frankie starts digging into Sabera’s life - and discovers a woman with remarkable skills, hidden connections, and a side she kept carefully concealed. The deeper Frankie gets, the more dangerous the search becomes. Can she find Sabera alive, or will this case end like too many others, with a body?

This book was so, so good! It was fast-paced and kept me hooked from start to finish. One of my favorite things about this series is how each book puts Frankie in a new location with a brand-new mystery - it really keeps things fresh. This one was packed with secrets and reveals, and while it wasn’t quite as edge-of-your-seat suspenseful as some of the others, I still found myself staying up late to see how it all played out. I was so excited to get an early copy of Kiss Her Goodbye, and I can’t recommend this series enough. Fingers crossed for a fifth book - I can’t wait to see where Frankie’s headed next! 🤞

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!