Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner is book 4 in the Frankie Elkin series but it works as a standalone.
An entertaining and engaging thriller with a great central protagonist that I think many of Gardner's fans and other crime and thriller readers will love.
The plot is gripping and there are enough twists to keep you turning the page.
Gardner is a fantastic author who gives her characters so much depth and background.
This book was so addictive.
Each chapter ended and you just needed to know what would happen next.
Full of action and suspense, it is a dramatic story that will keep you guessing.
Lisa Gardner never disappoints!

Thank You NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

First of all, thanks Lisa Gardner, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Captivating story from the get go, lots going on so keep your mind sharp. You can tell the amount of research that went into this book by how well it's written. Also, it reads great as a standalone!

Lisa Gardner is an impossible author to categorize. Her 90-plus novels span genres from romance to mystery and psychological drama to procedural, with settings from New Orleans to Savannah to Montana. There are series, stand-alone novels, collaborations and anthologies.

Fortunately, Gardner has found time to give us a fourth novel featuring her latest and best character, the complicated and lovable (in spite of herself) Frankie Elkin. Frankie, introduced in 2021’s “Before She Disappeared,” is a volunteer finder of lost persons. Whether they are alive or dead, she wants to give their loved ones closure.

Frankie herself is moving on from a deeply troubled past, years of hard drinking and a great loss. Now, she goes where she is called, scraping by on odd jobs while she works her current case.

In “Kiss Her Goodbye,” the missing person is Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee newly settled in Tucson with her husband and young daughter. As Frankie finds out more about Sabera, we learn about her past in Afghanistan, from the fall of Kabul to the refugee camp where she gave birth to her precocious daughter, Zahra, to her escape to America. We also learn about the special skill that makes her (and by extension Zahra) dangerously valuable to the wrong people.

There aren’t many chuckles in that part of “Before She Disappeared.” But as Frankie sets herself up with a pet-sitting gig on the estate of a quirky tech billionaire, we have lots of fun with Daryl, tech bro Bart’s ballroom-dancing driver, and Genni, his 6 foot 4 inch drag queen housekeeper first seen in “a Lucille Ball-style wig and two red gingham oven mitts.”

There’s also the pet in question, a “Simpsons”-loving iguana named Petunia. (“Petunia watches from one side of the couch, and I stare from the other. Two life forms, alone together, which feels like the only way I know how to live anymore.”)

And, oh yeah, there’s also a massive python named Marge. All have parts to play in the thrilling and satisfying climax, bringing both halves of the story together.

“Kiss Her Goodbye” does feel like two different books, but I enjoyed the whole. The entire Frankie Elkin series is highly recommended, and if you read in order you’ll understand Frankie and even love her.

Reviewed in print and online in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Aug. 10.

Without doubt, this was a thoroughly engrossing and enlightening book that introduced me to a new character (this is the fourth in a series of which I've read no others). And also without doubt, it was of the most thoroughly depressing books I've read in a while.

Enlightenment came by way of an up-close-and-personal look at the life of refugees from foreign countries - in this instance, Afghanistan - and the difficulties they face trying to learn an entire new way of life, often living among people who are, shall we say, not the most welcoming. Readers also learn the horrors they left behind, leaving them to grieve not only the loss of their beloved country, but the lives of those they were forced to leave behind.

The series features Frankie Elkin, who specializes in finding missing people - in this instance, a recent Afghan refugee named Sabera Ahmadi. She's been settled in Tuscon, Arizona, with her husband Isaad and young daughter Zahra. But she's disappeared, and her local friend Aliah contacts Frankie for help. To ease the financial strain, Frankie lands in a Tuscon mansion, agreeing to take care of it in exchange for room and board. What she didn't count on caring for, though, was a large iguana named Petunia, an even larger python named Marge and a whole bunch of baby snakes. Fortunately, the mansion also has a very competent caretaker named Daryl and an oddball cook named Genni to help her over the rough spots (usually involving some giggles and grins).

Frankie also underestimated the missing woman and her family; she fluently speaks several languages, her husband is a mathematician and their daughter has an absolutely remarkable memory. The more she learns about them, the more Frankie worries; and soon enough, it becomes clear that some very bad people want to find Sabera even more than Frankie does.

Finding Sabera becomes an all-consuming, and extremely dangerous task, and I'm certainly not going to spoil things by serving up details. Suffice it to say it's quite a ride, filled with humor, eye-opening revelations about the life of refugees and spine-chilling danger. I'm already eager to read about Frankie's next adventure, but in the meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

Lisa Gardner places her beloved character Frankie Elkin in the middle of an all too real situation that will break your heart. This is Gardner at her best, going far beyond entertainment to give readers a story that will provoke deep thought and compassion.

Lisa Gardners newest book continues the story of Frankie, a finder of those lost. I honestly haven’t read some of the other books in this series but it really didn’t take way from the story. Frankie is called to Tucson to try to help find a missing immigrant woman who disappears and leaves her four year old daughter behind. When her husband is found dead Frankie knows time is running short,

This book was very fast paced and kept me invested the whole time. I loved the cast of characters even including Petunia, the iguana. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Frankie is back !! In book four Frankie takes off to Arizona to find a missing Afghan refugee that some think are missing and some do not.
Frankie is one of those characters you can relate to. She’s been through so much but still tries to do what’s right. As always Lisa Gardner did not skimp on the twists and turns and keeps us wondering who’s who and what’s what. This could be read as a standalone but reading Frankie’s past stories is a highly recommend because they are all so good!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for letting me read an eARC of this book !

Kiss Her Goodbye is the 4th in the Frankie Elkin series. I'm not sure how I missed #2, but I loved this one and#1 & #3. Lisa Gardner is an amazing author and pulls you into the mystery she writes. This one was a lot different from the others, but I found so much interest in the Afghan refugees. The beginning of the story is about Sabera and her family living in refugee camps after the Taliban's encroachment on Kabul. She came from a very wealthy family and all of her family is now dead. She now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and three year old daughter.
Frankie gets a call from Sabera's friend Aliah to come to Arizona to help solve the disappearance of Sabera, who has been missing for 3 weeks and the police are not searching for her. She looks for a home that is affordable since she is broke and the only thing she could find is to be a house sitter with reptiles. Yikes!! No way!! Frankie's investigation begins with camera footage of a brutal scene which involves a double murder and Sabera leaving the scene. There are a few back stories that slow the rhythm but when it kicks back in Gardner style you can't look away. It is written in the present and past of Sabera journaling in her diary, which is sad and emotional. This is great other than the slow burn through some parts. It can be read as a stand alone. Like I said, I missed #2 but have picked up each one as an individual and it makes perfect sense with her description and catch up to get the reader on track. Her books are so enjoyable!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Pet sitting in a mansion for tech genius Bart to feed and look after his massive iguana Petunia, a dozen baby python snakes, and a large adult snake, including spiders and other odd critters. This was part of the comic relief to offset the violence.

Frankie Elkin's book 4 was too violent for my liking. I could not bond with any of the Taliban or Afghan characters or situations.

While I have read many of Lisa Gardner’s books over the years, Kiss Her Goodby is the first book in the Frankie Elkin series that I’ve read. And boy do I regret it. No, I don’t regret reading it, not the the least. I regret not having jumped into this series sooner. There are definitely references to people from previous books, which I am sure would have meant something to me had I read those other books, but I still had zero trouble following the story.

Frankie Elkin a missing persons expert and she has just taken on a job to find Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who went missing three weeks ago. The police aren’t looking for her and her husband seems unconcerned, but her friend knows something is wrong. There is no way Sabera would abandoned her young daughter. When she is spotted on a video walking away from a murder scene things really shift into gear. This story is like the proverbial onion, and the deeper Frankie digs in the more layers she uncovers. If the rest of the series is as good as this one than this just might end up being my favorite series from Ms Gardner. I’d like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Kiss Her Goodbye.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-her-goodbye-lisa-gardner/1146489282?ean=9781538765104&bvnotificationId=b5129709-77ac-11f0-a272-0ee8d96445e9&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/354141514

This was by far the most interesting and intriguing of the Frankie Elkin books. Ive read them all, but not a huge fan of Frankie, who I usually find annoying and getting in where she doesn't belong. In this one she actually is helping without inserting herself where she doesn't belong. The characters are more interesting too. Except the snakes, those I could have done without! Over the top for me. I didn't mind Petunia so much, but the snakes, no. The storyline was great (besides the snakes) and I enjoyed finding out more about the immigrants that end up in America. On the whole, a great read and I highly recommend it to others. (a star taken off for snakes).

There is no hiding that Lisa Gardner is my favorite author. If you look back at other reviews of her books I have mentioned it a bunch. With that, though, I feel like I am harder on her books than most because I have extremely high expectations. Kiss Her Goodbye took a totally different vibe than her previous books and I think may be one of her most intricate pieces of work yet!

Kiss Her Goodbye follows the Ahmadis and Frankie Elkins as she looks for a missing mother in a refugee population where not everyone trusts the police or those who seem like them. First off, Frankie Elkins is my favorite Gardner character ever. She's so raw and unfiltered that reading her is definitely a good time. Also, the setting of this book was very different than what Gardner has done in the past, and it felt gritty and real and all the things you don't typically associate with her books. The characters were so interesting, and I loved the cultural aspect of the story. I felt I learned a lot about a culture I was not very familiar with.

Gardner is so good at writing the layers to people, where you start small and by the end you have this really in-depth view of this person and who they are. I felt like the mystery in this story definitely kept me guessing. I could not track who was bad, who was good, and who had questionable motives. It took me longer to read because of its heavy nature, but the intricacies Gardner weaved into the story were incredible to try and decipher.

On top of all that, the side characters were some of my favorites from any book I've ever read. I loved the housekeeper/chef and the bodyguard/driver. I loved the reptiles she had to take care of and the families Frankie met along the way. They really added layers and some light moments when you needed them most.

I cannot say it enough, but Lisa Gardner is the Thriller Queen! She should legitimately have a crown because no one comes close. Kiss Her Goodbye will grip you from the beginning and twist your insides as you fight your way to the end to see how it will all come to fruition. I cannot wait for her next book, as usual!

This is the first book I’ve read in the Frankie Elkin series and it definitely left me wanting to read the first 3. Lisa’s writing will truly keep you guessing. A prominent refugee family of a brilliant mathematician, gifted linguist and a daughter who remembers everything she sees is in grave danger, or are they? The mystery behind the disappearance of Sabera. But as Frankie digs, things aren’t as they appear. After piecing together clues, the mystery starts to unravel along with Sabera’s story. Are the Ahmadi’s as innocent as they appear? This story was fast paced, full of mystery, suspense, danger, secrets and so much more. Can’t wait to read what Lisa has for us next.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner is another gripping installment in the Frankie Elkin series, though this one felt a little over the top in some parts for me.
Frankie travels to Tucson, Arizona, to search for Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee and young mother who’s gone missing. What starts as a straightforward missing person case quickly spirals into a tangled web of danger, secrets, and high stakes, especially when Sabera is caught on video at the scene of a double murder. I can see the unique perspective on the refugee experience, and Gardner’s compassion and research really shine through. The setting, characters, and emotional depth were strong, but at times the plot felt overly complicated, and I found my attention wandering. Still, Frankie remains a compelling character, flawed, determined, and deeply human and the story delivers both suspense and heart. While not my favorite in the series, it’s a thought provoking, action packed read that thriller fans will enjoy as much as I did.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

In book 4 of the Frankie Elkin series, Frankie is hired to find Recent Afghan refugee and young mother Sabera Ahmad., who was last seen three weeks ago. Her much older, domineering husband seems unconcerned, and the police have yet to open a missing persons case on her. The only one who seems concerned is Sabra's closest friend. Aliah. Frankie quickly discovers there's much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must crack the code of this family's horrific past. Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option.

I always thoroughly enjoy this author's books. They are a thrill ride from start to finish, and I ansolutely adore Frankie. This book really tugged on my heartstrings, with the way Afghan refugees are treated, the refugee camps, how they have degrees & good jobs & nice houses and then come over here and are forced to live in slums and work as maids and drive for things like Uber, because their degrees don't count over here. I had no idea there was even a large Aghan resettlement population in Tucson. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers..

This may not have been the perfect book, but it was darn good! And it was a step above the previous books in this series due to the serious and timely topic taken on. Frankie is pulled in to what she thinks is a pretty basic missing person case but quickly finds out there is a lot of history involved. US pulling out of Afghanistan, the people left behind, and those who were able to find asylum in the US. Taken alone, this was a big enough topic to fill the book and make it engaging. But, as she always does, Frankie also finds a job to support herself while she works the case. This is where the book set itself apart for me. Frankie ends up being a reptile sitter for a stupidly wealthy eccentric "kid" who has surrounded himself with his own "Misfits." Oh my Frankie fits in so well! And having this found family assist her with her case made this book a stand out! While I think you should always read a series in chronological order, if you can't read them all, please be sure to read this one! And oh, Ms. Gardner, can some of these people continue to show up in future installments?

Lisa Gardner's "Kiss Her Goodbye" is an absolute thriller masterpiece that kept me riveted from start to finish. The plot is excellently crafted with twists and turns that left me breathless and eager to flip the next page. Gardner's writing style is sharp, concise, and perfectly paced, drawing readers into a world where suspense and intrigue reign supreme.

The characters are extraordinary—each one meticulously developed with depth and complexity that makes them unforgettable. Their motivations and vulnerabilities are explored with such authenticity, allowing readers to connect deeply with them.

The settings are expertly described, immersing you in vivid environments that enhance the tension and mood of the story. Whether it's a dark alley or a bustling city scene, Gardner paints each backdrop with precision and detail.

As part of a series, "Kiss Her Goodbye" stands out brilliantly, offering both fresh excitement and continuity for fans. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted, heart-pounding thriller. Lisa Gardner has truly outdone herself with this gripping novel!

To say that I love Frankie Elkin would be an understatement. Her stories are always so exciting, sometimes sad, but always unpredictable. This is the fourth edition of Frankie's adventures. Is she truly brave or does she have a secret death wish? Maybe we will get more adventures in the future, so we can decide for ourselves. Ms. Gardner has a way of twisting a story and introducing colorful characters that pull the reader in and keeps them reading to the last sentence. I very much enjoyed this novel and look forward to more Frankie stories. Special thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

A fast paced, with a bit of humor mystery with unique spin. Frankie heads to scorching Tucson, Arizona, to track down Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who vanished without a trace. Her friend swears she’d never leave her daughter behind, but the cops aren’t interested, and her husband is shady and suspiciously chill about the whole thing. Then a video shows Sabera at the scene of a brutal double murder—and things get wild from that point. 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! The final stretch is especially gripping, it’s full of emotional revelations, clever twists, and high stakes moments. It’s smart, layered, and packed with tension. If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll be satisfied and maybe even surprised. If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing, this one’s for you.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

Frankie is such a complex character. Her latest case will suck you in. Full of twists it keeps you guessing right up to the reveal. I really loved this series. The characters are interesting, the mystery suspenseful. Hours passed before I knew it as I was so engrossed in the story.