This was my first Frankie Elkin book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator and Frankie’s perspective. There were definitely a lot of twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat, as well as some really great characters- Petunia and Daryl included. I really enjoyed how thorough the author was with the story and how she built up to the conclusion. Overall a great read.

This was my first book from Lisa Gardner, and I'm definitely going to read more. I was a bit afraid that I wouldn't understand some parts of the plot considering the personal life of our main character, because I didn't read the first books of the Frankie Elkin series. But it wasn't a problem at all. The other books were mentioned in some ways that all made sense so if you also didn't read the series and just want to read this one - do it! I can't wait to pick up on Frankie's earlier adventures.

The story had me hooked from the start. As a refugee myself (but not in the US tho) I appreciate reading about other refugees navigating the system and their experiences with being a refugee. There are some really emotional scenes that stuck with me. I enjoyed how the book has plenty of twists, moments that made me tense up while also still having some humor mixed in. Frankie is such a likeable character, I loved her quirkiness.
The ending got a bit too crazy confusing to my liking, but all in all I enjoyed this book very much!!

Kiss Her Goodbye (Frankie Elkin #4) takes us to scorching Tucson, Arizona, where Frankie is searching for Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who’s mysteriously vanished—leaving behind her young daughter. The cops aren’t helping, her husband seems way too calm, and soon Frankie uncovers shocking secrets that spiral into murder, spies, and codes.

This story has everything—slow-burn suspense, action-thriller vibes, emotional depth, and those jaw-dropping dead-end twists that keep you guessing. Frankie is such a fascinating character, and her quirky living arrangements bring in humor and heart in the thick of the tension. I listened to the audiobook and it was so well done—clear, engaging, and brought the characters to life. I just loved these side characters.

I really enjoyed this book. Frankie Elkin is such a fascinating character: flawed, stubborn, but with such a big heart. This time she’s in Tucson looking for a missing refugee mother, and what starts as a simple search quickly spirals into something way darker and more complicated.

The story had me hooked from the start. There are plenty of twists, moments that made me tense up, and some really emotional scenes that stuck with me. I also liked how the author weaved in timely themes about refugees and survival, it just gave the thriller more depth.

A couple of things felt a little over the top, but honestly, I didn’t mind because the pacing was so good and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It works fine as a standalone too, though if you’ve followed the series you’ll appreciate Frankie’s growth.

I listened to the audiobook and at times it was a little bit hard to keep up all the names of the Ahmadi family, so I sometimes struggled a bit to follow who is who.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed how suspenseful and emotional this was while also having some humor mixed in. I don’t usually get to read about the refugee population so that was very interesting. The plot had a LOT going on so it was very easy to miss small details

This is my first ever book that I have read from Lisa Gardner and I definitely will be reading more, especially the Frankie Elkin series. I love Frankie and her tough, smart, but very relatable persona. The author did a really good job in writing not only writing a mystery ( where did Sabera go, who is she, what secrets are she and her family keeping?), but also intertwined in this mystery is a book about the real struggles refugees face...cultural isolation, lingering trauma, and living in constant fear. This was a book with sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and rising tensions all the way up the end. I rated this a 4.5 star book on my Goodreads and other socials. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read/listen to this book and opening my world up to Lisa Gardner. I look forward to reading more.

I loved how the novel weaves themes of trust, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships, culminating in a resolution that sheds light on Sabera’s fate and the intricate web of circumstances leading to her disappearance.

Thanks to @grandcentralpub for this ARC and @hachetteaudio for the ALC!
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Frankie Elkin is back and this time the missing person case is as haunting as it is dangerous. When Sabera, a young Afghan mother, vanishes, Frankie dives into a mystery full of secrets, coded histories, and chilling threats. Gardner layers in timely issues, heart-pounding suspense, and the question of how far someone will go to protect their family. I was hooked from the first page and the audio made the tension even sharper.

Frankie Elkin is one of the most underestimated and astute private investigators you'll find. She lives a simple lifestyle and searches for people she cares about who fall through the cracks of society. In this story, she helps a refugee mother who is trying to rebuild her life for her family in the USA. With the current political situation in the States, this story is perfectly timed. Fans of missing persons' thrillers will enjoy this book.

Kiss Her Goodbye sees unconventional "missing persons expert" Frankie Elkin head to Tucson to find a missing Afghan refugee. It's narrated by Hillary Huber, which was a plus for me - I tend to listen to her at 2.5-3x speed and still don't miss a word.

I liked this a lot more than the last Frankie Elkin book (#3 - Still See You Everywhere), which I felt was bloated with details from the first two books in the series. Still, I think Gardner's books (at least in the Elkin series) are just longer than I prefer. I finished this one feeling like it could have been 50-100 pages shorter, and that it'd have been stronger for it. It's also a bit over the top for me personally.

It pains me to say that - I love author Lisa Gardner's curiosity for the world and admiration of people doing "amazing things." And I do think this one could be a huge hit for those who go into it expecting 400 pages and a good amount of drama.

This is a taut thriller with a lot of moving parts. It is staged in Tucson, AZ among the Afghan refugee community. It is deftly told, with some realism (having spent years in Tucson myself). The players are a wonderful and very colorful bunch which really added to the story. It is a very sad situation with people disappearing almost in plain sight. I really liked this book! Well done!

Such a good book, I loved Frankie’s character. The twist and turns leading up to the ending had me sitting in the edge of my seat!

This is a quick and fun read that I enjoyed for the most part I am not sure that I will go out and buy a copy of it for myself but I would definitely recommend it to friends

I got the audio book for this and unfortunately for me, I could not
Get into it after the first ten minutes so this was a dnf

In my rush to read this book after reading the blurb I missed the fact it was fourth in a series! I thoroughly enjoyed it though, and can't wait to pick up on Elin's earlier adventures.

This is my first of Gardener's books, but it won't be the last. The blend of secrets and danger with humour and light relief kept just the right balance between emotionally wrought moments and laugh out loud (like Frankie's cold blooded roommates). The story is well layered with a high degree of tension, twists and turns, as well as cultural exploration and family dynamics which pull at the heartstrings.

The narration was excellent, so much so I completely forgot there was only one narrator. They captured the drama and levity so well, making for a truly immersive reading experience. Given the complexity of the story, their distinct narration made it much easier to discern the various characters, and keep up with the cracking pace of the book.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.

Kiss Her Goodbye* by Lisa Gardner, narrated by Hillary Huber, is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that lingers long after listening. Set against the broiling streets of Tucson, Arizona, the story follows missing-persons expert Frankie Elkin as she searches for Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee struggling with the shadows of war and a haunting secret. The narration is compelling—Hillary Huber brings Frankie’s determination and the cultural depth of Sabera’s journey vividly to life. I was deeply moved by the layered mystery, tense pacing, and Frankie's unwavering resolve; at times the twists took my breath away, and the family dynamics and emotional stakes felt intensely real. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Lisa Gardner and her Frankie Elkin books. I was excited to get an advance copy of Kiss Her Goodbye and I wasn't disappointed. In this book, Frankie finds herself in Tucson, Arizona, searching for an Afghan refugee who has gone missing. As Frankie starts to unravel the woman's disappearance, she finds other people looking for the woman - some good and some evil.

This was a really good book as it delves into the refugee experience, the Afghan war, Afghan culture and the lasting effects of U.S. intervention on the lives of ordinary Afghans. It's also a twisty and clever mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. The beauty of the Frankie Elkin books is that she starts over in every book so while it is a series, you can pick up the books in any order and you won't really be missing anything. They are well written and absorbing reads.

Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The police have still not opened a missing person case, and her husband doesn't seem to be worried. It is her closest friend that contacts missing persons expert, Frankie Elkin to try and locate her. She knows she would never willingly leave her three year old daughter. Frankie heads to Tucson to search for her, but it is at that time that a video surfaces, showing Sabera walking away from a brutal double murder. Frankie realizes 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 the 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 quickly crack the case and unravel the family's past. Someone is after this family and she needs to figure out who and why before they end up dead.

I have enjoyed all the Frankie Elkin books and this is another winner. She usually tackles cold cases, so this was a bit different for her. Frankie has a bit of a sordid past, and does this to make amends for things in her past. Her gut feelings are very important, and often help her solve a case, but it is also what she uses to determine what cases to take on. This book brings the situation in Kabul to light and how the Afghanis who assisted the US were often left behind and couldn't escape the Taliban. We learn about the refugee camps they lived in before eventually making their way to the US. These parts of the story are heartbreaking, but very realistic. Frankie doesn't take pay for her work, so she takes on jobs wherever she ends up. Because she needs a place to stay in Tucson, she takes on a pet sitting assignment that is made up of snakes and Petunia the Iguana. There is a little humor and lightheartedness in those parts of the story, which is a good thing. There is a lot in this story that is heart-wrenching. Sabera does what she needs to do to keep her daughter safe. There is also a plot point about government spying and espionage that had me shaking my head. This is a very complicated story, but I had no problem following it. This one had a lot of characters, much more than in the previous books which kept me on my toes. I really enjoyed this one and it kept me guessing from start to finish. Who are the good guys? Are these unreliable narrators? Lots of questions while reading, but everything is tied up in the end. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber and was extremely pleased with her narration. With all the characters, she does a good job giving voice to the characters using tone and expression. Another great Frankie Elkin story and I recommend it to those who enjoy thrillers and suspense.

Missing persons expert Frankie Elgin is called to Tucson to investigate the disappearance of Afghan refugee Sabera. The plot thickens when Sabera’s husband vanishes after leaving their young daughter in the care of a neighbor. Then Sabera is caught on camera leaving the scene of a shocking double homicide. Will Frankie find her before it’s too late?

This book is a fast-paced thrill ride with short chapters packed with twists that keep me glued to the pages. The hunt for a missing woman intertwines with deep family secrets and high stakes.

Lisa Jackson shines a light on the immigration challenges faced by Afghan refugees. The portrayal of the refugee resettlement experience is both eye-opening and a poignant addition to this thriller.

The side characters truly steal the show. Daryl, the ex-con driver, adds a mix of muscle and heart; Genni, the flamboyant housekeeper, brings sensible flair; and Aliah, Sabera’s friend, shares immigrant experience insights. This eclectic group injects both depth and entertainment into an otherwise heavy story.

🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Hillary Huber’s narration is spectacular. She gives each character a distinct voice, making it feel like a full cast performance! I don’t think I’ve ever heard a solo narrator make you feel like you are hearing from multiple narrators. Huber’s delivery for parole officer Roberta was my favorite.

This is my first dive into the Frankie Elkins series, and I’m hooked! I’m looking forward to exploring Frankie’s backstory and relentless pursuit of missing persons.

If you crave tense, emotionally charged thrillers that keep you up late, Kiss Her Goodbye is for you.

This fourth installment in the Frankie Elkin series takes readers deep into the sweltering streets of Tucson, where the search for a missing Afghan refugee becomes layered with danger, secrets, and high-stakes suspense. The premise is gripping and full of heart, especially the focus on Sabera, her daughter, and the complexities of their family’s past. Frankie remains a strong, determined lead, and I appreciated her persistence in uncovering the truth when others turned away.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, with sections that dragged a little before the tension picked back up. The mystery itself was well-crafted, though I found some parts a bit far-fetched. Still, the cultural layers, the family dynamics, and the emotional pull made this a compelling read overall. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Frankie once again fight tirelessly for those who are overlooked, and the ending tied together with a satisfying punch.