I have never been more excited to receive an ARC in my life. I literally screamed when I got this one—Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner. This wasn’t just any book for me. Lisa Gardner is the reason I fell in love with reading, and especially with thrillers. I’ve been devouring her books since I was a kid, and I’ve read every single one she’s written.

The Frankie Elkins series holds such a special place in my heart, and this latest installment completely blew me away. Lisa has this incredible way of writing suspense that grips you, while also shining a light on real, heartbreaking issues happening in the world. The focus on Afghani refugees in this book was powerful—heart-wrenching, eye-opening, and handled with such care and humanity. It wasn’t just a thriller. It was beautiful.

Frankie continues to be one of my favorite characters. Flawed, fierce, and always driven by the need to do the right thing—even when it’s hard. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I’m just so grateful I got to read this early. It reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this genre in the first place.

The fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series, Kiss Her Goodbye, does not disappoint! I love how Lisa Gardner adds cultural aspects to her books and allows her readers to learn about new regions. This time its learning about Afghanistan while the book is set in Tucson, AZ. Highly recommend! I especially enjoyed Petunia! Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Rating: 5 stars Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner
Publishing date - August 12th 2025
Rating (5/5)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. I love the Frankie Elkin series. In the 4th installment of this series , Frankie is assigned the task of locating a young Afghan refugee woman. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Gardner obviously put in her research in when writing about the Afghan refugee experience, as the novel provides interesting and sometimes heartbreaking details about Sabera’s journey, from her life in Afghanistan to her migration into the United States. An informative and emotional read - Highly recommend when it releases this August.

Lisa Gardner delivers a tense, fast-paced thriller in Kiss Her Goodbye, a gripping story filled with suspense, psychological depth, and unexpected twists.
Lisa Gardner once again proves why she’s one of the best in the genre.

Full disclosure- thank you #netgalley and #lisagardnerbks for the ARC.

Frankie Elkin has found an intriguing new case that calls to attention real life experiences of refugees and the lengths we go to for those we love. Frankie must face ghosts and fears to decipher the puzzles and codes to find a missing woman. An excellent cast of characters- great mystery- enlightening read-

I love this series! The premise is so interesting, and I love the characters in this one I found them very endearing. This book is the perfect mix of suspense and making you think, and the immigration / war perspective was interesting

Thanks for the advanced reader copy from Netgalley! Lisa does not disappoint!! This one held my attention and was a fast read.

I am surprised at this one ending up 5 stars for me. As soon as they brought in Afghan refugee situations and wars I questioned what I was reading. I like murder mystery/thrillers . However I pushed through that and tried to focus on the current happening story. And while both sides intertwined there were some characters that trumped my dislike for that type of plot.
Frankie is obviously amazing but my gosh the reptiles, Marge and Petunia and the babies 💕💕💕💕. Such an added element.
Daryl and Bart! Awesome
And the real star goes to Genni. What a friggen amazing character to add in. Her quirky persona was just the icing on the cake.
Overall… because of the characters and the twists and turns this one gets 5 stars from me

Another entertaining Frankie Elkin book but this time I feel like I learned along the way. It is very clear that Lisa Gardner did her research regarding the Afghanistan culture with this book. It had many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting especially at the end. I love how Frankie Elkin is so selfless throughout this series and how every missing person she tries to find is someone that we feel like we know because of how Lisa Gardner introduces them in the book. I can’t wait for the next Frankie book to come out and see where she ends up! 4.5 rounded up to 5!

Ih ave thoroughly enjoyed the Frankie Elkin series since the beginning and this is no exception. It was very well written, with a superb level of mystery and dual timelines. Some of this story made me ache for those in Kabul and the things they were going through. The descriptive back story was so detailed I felt as if I was there. This book was fast paced. exciting and always with Lisa Gardner book it was great on plot twists. Excellent character development and I absolutely fell in love with Darryl. Great book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the review!!

I was so excited to read another Frankie Elkins novel, and this did not disappoint. I loved the plot so much. I think the author did such a good job of painting a heartbreaking background that leads into why this became her next job. All the characters were wonderful, as well.

Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was another fun entry in the Frankie Elkin series. I LOVE this series, and this one was just as heartfelt and heartbreaking as the ones previous.

Caught in a whirlwind of lies, mystery and intrigue, Frankie must locate a missing Afghan refuge when no one else seems to care. Along with her usual ragtag group of helpers, she must find the truth before it's too late for them all.

The book definitely delivered on the mystery front - at every turn and new clue, I found myself thinking where the hell is this going???? That's what I love about the Frankie Elkin books; they always start in one direction, and quickly and aggressively move in another, and you never quite know what's going on until it's all wrapped up. It's a nice change of pace, as I typically guess most mysteries early on.

I would, of course, recommend this book to all fellow Franke Elkin fans, and recommend reading the series as a whole to anyone else.

As a long time reader of the Frankie Elkin series I was not disappointed by this new installment. What an unusual missing person in this refugee from Afghanistan. Great flashbacks to her time in a camp there and to years before as well. The cast of characters added a measure of levity - who doesn’t love a pet iguana. Highly recommend.! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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.