Kiss Her Goodbye is book number four in the Frankie Elkin series. While I have not read the previous three, this book can be read as a standalone.

Set in Tucson, Arizona, Frankie is called on to help track down Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who has vanished without a trace, leaving her husband and three-year-old daughter behind. A few days later, her husband is found dead, and the pressure is on for Franking to protect the Ahmadi’s daughter Zahra while tracking Sabera down. As Frankie investigates, she begins to uncover dark secrets about Sabera and the Ahmadi family. Will Frankie be able to keep Zahra safe and find Sabera before it is too late?

The book moves back and forth from present day to Kabul back when Sabera was young. I found this story to be fascinating as it gives insight into the life of a refugee and some of the experiences they go through and are forced to endure, while mixing in elements of suspense, mystery, intrigue and even some espionage.

I would like to thank Hachette Audio for the ALC of this book. Narrator Hillary Huber and the Hachette Audio production team did an incredible job bringing this intense and captivating story to life.

Another gripping installment in Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series! Kiss Her Goodbye takes readers to the sweltering streets of Tucson as Frankie searches for Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee whose dream of a fresh start in America is threatened by danger, secrets, and the shadows of her past. Gardner sensitively explores the struggles refugees face—cultural isolation, lingering trauma, and the constant fear of losing the fragile safety they’ve fought so hard for—while delivering a heart-pounding mystery filled with emotional depth and relentless tension. A must-read for fans of intelligent, compassionate thrillers.

Thank you Lisa Gardner, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

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Rating: 4.25 ★ 

Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee and mother, is trying to start over after a difficult past, but escaping old traumas isn’t easy. When she disappears from her job in Tucson and the police don’t seem to take it seriously, her friend pushes missing persons expert Frankie Elkin to get involved. Things take a dark turn when a video surfaces showing Sabera near a gruesome double murder.
As Frankie digs deeper, she discovers that the Ahmadi family is far more complicated than they appear. Sabera’s husband Isaad is a genius mathematician, Sabera herself is skilled in languages, and their young daughter Zahra has a remarkable memory—something that might actually put her in danger. When Isaad vanishes and Zahra becomes a target, Frankie realizes she must uncover the family’s hidden past before it’s too late.
With threats looming and violence on the horizon, Frankie faces a race against time to protect the family—and confront how far she’s willing to go for those she cares about.
I really enjoyed Kiss Her Goodbye and was drawn into the story right away. Frankie Elkin returns as the determined missing persons expert, this time searching for Sabera, a young Afghan refugee who disappears under mysterious circumstances. I appreciated how the book switches between the present and Sabera’s past, which helped me understand the deep struggles faced by refugees trying to start over in a new country. The author’s research shines through, making the story both powerful and emotional.
The characters felt very real and complex — Sabera, her brilliant mathematician husband Isaad, and their daughter Zahra with her amazing memory added a unique layer to the mystery. Frankie’s pet-sitting subplot brought some light moments and humor that balanced the heavier themes.
Although this is the fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series, I had no trouble following the story as a standalone, but I’m interested in reading the earlier books now. The pacing was sometimes a bit slow, but the emotional depth and twists kept me hooked until the very end. This thriller isn’t just about suspense; it also explores important social issues, which made it a meaningful read for me.
Overall, if you enjoy well-developed characters, a mix of suspense and heart, and stories that give insight into real-world challenges, Kiss Her Goodbye is definitely worth reading. I look forward to more adventures with Frankie.

Favorite Quote:
"you don't always have to be a hero. Sometimes, you just have to survive."