This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop listening. I was hooked from the first minute! The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

In my rush to request a Lisa Gardner audiobook I completely ignored the sysnopsis and the information that this was the fourth Frankie Elkin novel. However, although I obviously didn't have the knowledge from the previous books but nevertheless I was able to listen to and love this story. A gripping missing person thriller with different timelines and a thrilling cat and nouse game. Listened to the whole book in one sitting and now off to read books 1-3!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Get ready for more Frankie funnies. While this book is serious In that she is once again called in to assist a missing persons search, her new living situation will have you laughing out loud. If something can go wrong, it will happen to her. So many fun new characters to add to her entourage. They are there to help her solve the mystery and are great help at it. I enjoyed the note from the author at the end explaining how’s became up with the idea.
Good, quick, fun while serious book.

The audiobook narrator is great!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Audiobook Review: Kiss Her Goodbye (A Frankie Elkin Novel) by Lisa Gardner
Narrated by Hillary Huber

I received this audiobook from NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to “read with my ears” and leave reviews on new-to-me authors.

I really enjoyed this book! I do need to be better about checking whether the books I request are part of a series, because this was actually the 4th book in the Frankie Elkin series—and my first one. That being said, I never felt lost or like I was missing important backstory. It read perfectly fine as a standalone, and I didn’t even realize it was part of a series until I went to mark it on Goodreads.

The story itself was sad, emotional, and thought-provoking. I especially appreciated how it explored aspects of Muslim culture and life in Afghanistan. While I know there’s so much more to learn beyond the scope of this book, I did come away with new knowledge and perspective. Lisa Gardner clearly did her research, as noted in her Author’s Note at the end, and it added authenticity to the storytelling.

Hillary Huber did an excellent job narrating. She shifted her tone and accent so well between perspectives that I honestly thought there were two different narrators at first. That distinction made the audiobook easier to follow and much more engaging.

Overall, Kiss Her Goodbye was a powerful listen with a compelling story and strong narration. I’m grateful for the chance to listen and review, and I’ll definitely be going back to check out the earlier Frankie Elkin novels.

This is the 4th book in Lisa Gardner's "Frankie Elkin" series and I enjoyed being back in Frankie's world again.
Frankie, a missing persons expert, is now in Tucson, Arizona in search of a missing woman. Sabera Ahmadi is an Afghan refugee who has recently resettled with her family in Tucson. Sabera suddenly disappears and is seen leaving the scene of a brutal double murder. Frankie must weave through Sabera's complicated and heartbreaking story, through the many surprises twists and turns, in order to solve the mystery.
The side story brings us comic relief as Frankie pet sits a huge Iguana, baby phython snakes and a massive snake for tech genius Bart at his mansion while he is away.
Excellent narration by Hillary Huber and a very interesting author's note from Lisa Gardner.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read "Kiss Her Goodbye" by Lisa Gardner, read by Hillary Huber.

Often with series as they go one the depth of the novels start to deteriorate. Not with Lisa Gardner and Frankie Elkins. If anything her stories are getting better with each passing book. Not only are the characters complex and well thought out, the setting becomes a major player in the story as well as the intricate details of the mystery. I listened to this book in 2 days I was so engaged and didn't want to "put it down"

Firstly, thank you to Lisa Gardner and Netgalley for allowing me this ARC copy.
I normally enjoy Lisa's books, but this one was just hard for me to get into. I didn't enjoy as much as I would of thought.

Well, this has some heavy parts but Gardner hits on topical topics like immigration and how refugees are treated. She does a fantastic job writing relatable characters who you want to see succeed. Once again, Frankie finds herself in precarious positions while trying to find Sabera. I loved the side characters who helped Frankie - they really made the story. You can definitely read this as a standalone but I highly recommend going back to read the beginning of the series.

I have read a few of these Frankie Elkin series, you don’t have to read them in order they just have her in each book. I love Lisa Gardner’s writing style so I was excited to find this audiobook on NetGalley. Frankie is dedicated to finding missing people. There was quite a few dimensions to this book and I found it to be great!

Kiss her Goodbye
Author Lisa Gardener
Narrator Hillary Huber
5stars

Another excellent addition to the Frankie Elkin series, I love Frankie’s character; she is really interesting and whilst she is flawed and has had a difficult past, I never feel that she is a cliche- I am always eager to learn more about her and willing her to succeed and find if not her happy ever after at least a good dose of happiness.
Each book sees Frankie trying to locate a missing person, but each book has a totally fresh feel about them completely different settings, completely different type of missing person and I have enjoyed them all: this is probably my favourite.
The other books have all been physical books , which is my preferred way reading, but I think Hillary Huber’s narration of this book was brilliant and brought all the characters to life.
The storyline is part action thriller, part puzzle solving and heartbreaking refugee story interspersed with some humour .
The supporting characters in this book were great, even the reptiles .
Thanks to NetGalley for this copy.

Frankie Elkin is at it again! I don’t read many series because I get bored with the characters BUT there is just something about Frankie that I love. She’s an amazing but flawed human who is so relatable and the Leo in me loves that she seeks justice especially for those who are minorities and overlooked cases that the police tend to ignore.

One of the things I enjoy about this series aside from Frankie, is the things that I learn about the different victims and their families…their customs, their journey…all of it.

It’s kinda like a one-woman SVU in book format but dealing with different types of cases. Lisa’s Frankie Elkin books are addictive as a binge watch for SVU. It’s definitely a series I’ll stick with.

I recommend starting with the 1st in the series but you can totally skip around in reading them out of order. In fact I have to go back and read #3.

Lisa Gardner’s Kiss Her Goodbye is a captivating, well-researched mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Following missing person profiler Frankie Elkin, Gardner masterfully weaves a gripping tale centered on the search for a missing Afghan refugee. The plot is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, showcasing Gardner’s talent for creating complex characters and suspenseful twists. I could’ve done with less Afghan stuff but I love Frankie; she’s a fantastic main character and Petunia was the real mvp of the book; IYKYK.

Kiss Her Goodbye
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was absolutely Fantastic 💯 Great book. I love the series & this is a new favorite. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see who Frankie saves next. The Audio was great! Hurry & read this adventure.
Thank you NetGalley!

Kiss Her Goodbye is a riveting thriller that thrives on tension, deception, and relentless suspense. From the start, the story immerses you in a world thick with lies and secrets as Frankie embarks on a desperate search for a missing woman. What begins as a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, drawing Frankie into a maze of betrayal, hidden truths, and life-threatening encounters. Gardner’s ability to create high-stakes scenarios keeps the narrative sharp and adrenaline-fueled, ensuring that the danger feels constant and real.

Frankie is a dynamic and layered protagonist, someone you can’t help but root for even as the challenges before her intensify. She’s both resourceful and vulnerable, which makes her journey feel authentic and emotionally compelling. As the search deepens, action sequences are woven seamlessly into the mystery, giving the book a cinematic quality while still retaining Gardner’s signature psychological depth.

One of the standout elements of this novel is the way Gardner integrates bits of history and backstory into the larger narrative. These details don’t just provide context—they enrich the plot and make the stakes even higher. The past and present collide in surprising ways, revealing how the echoes of history can fuel present-day danger.

As with any Lisa Gardner thriller, the twists are sharp, well-timed, and genuinely surprising. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another revelation turns everything on its head. By the time the story reaches its conclusion, you’re left breathless, satisfied, and eager for more.

Kiss Her Goodbye is everything you could want in a thriller: fast-paced, action-packed, emotionally charged, and filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. Gardner delivers not just what you expect, but more—an unforgettable ride that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I LOVE the Frankie Elkin series. Lisa Gardner has long been an author I have enjoyed and I am thrilled with this newer series. Here's what I had to say in earlier reviews which gives you a foundation about Frankie:
... Frankie is a recovering alcoholic with no special skills beyond tenacity and the fortitude to uproot and reinvent her life each time she finds a new case to solve. She tackles the "unimportant" missing, mostly teenagers, who are poor or minorities or both. It reminds me of the Equalizer except Frankie doesn't have the weapons, physical training or any kind of technical or financial resources. However, Frankie has some street smarts and she just doesn't give up. Oddly, she's a bit of a luddite with technology.

Frankie was taking a break after her last adventure. But she felt the need to take on a new missing person. She has some attachment to the guy who she spent her break with. She ponders it throughout the book, whether she could have any kind of actual relationship or have a home base.

The missing person is a woman, Sabera, who escaped from Kabul after it fell to the Taliban the second time. Her mother had died from cancer. Her father and brother were shot the day Kabul was overrun. Unfortunately, her vicious cousins did not die. She ended up with a math professor who was her father's friend. She has her daughter Zahra while on the run.

Now, four years later, Sabera and her "husband" and daughter are settling in Tucson, AZ. But Sabera has gone missing. Aliah is a refugee who has been here for 25 years and works in helping newer people settle. She is the one who asks Frankie to help. Frankie starts talking to the other various aid workers to try to find out what is happening.

Frankie always has to find a place to stay and some kind of work to support herself. She answers an ad and ends up staying at a tech guy's mansion and feeding his iguana and snakes, while he is out of town for a month. Daryl the chauffeur is available to her and helps, as does his parole officer, Roberta, and his chef, Genni.

The present day story is interspersed with the history in Afghanistan from the day Kabul fell until the present. More people around Sabera are killed or abducted. Frankie with her perseverance and intelligence gradually begins to unravel the players and motives. She has a team of allies in Daryl, Roberta and Genni, along with Aliah.

I really felt badly about what happened to the Afghan refugees when the Americans left. The consequences for many, especially women, were harsh. Gardner did some serious research and was able to give some realistic detail. It makes me sad to see people being so controlling of others for money, power, racism, and/or religion. It's better to come together to make everyone's life better.

Narration:
Hillary Huber is one of my favorite narrators so I have listened to this series on audio. She brings Frankie to life, with most of the story is in her point of view. I was glad to audio for help with the pronunciation of places and names. I was comfortable with all the character voices, which all felt distinct. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.

Listen to a clip: HERE

I found myself intrigued by the psychological undercurrents and the moral ambiguity that threaded through the story.

Reading it felt like walking through a foggy forest—atmospheric, tense, and occasionally disorienting. The premise had teeth, and the setup promised a gripping unraveling. Yet, somewhere along the way, the emotional resonance seemed to dim. The characters, while well-drawn, felt like they were holding back, as if their secrets were more compelling than their truths. I wanted to feel more connected to their pain, their choices, their unraveling.

That said, your signature style—tight pacing, layered suspense, and a knack for exploring trauma—was still very much present. I especially appreciated the way you teased out the theme of identity and how the past can haunt even the most hardened survivors. There were moments of brilliance, especially in the quieter scenes, where the tension simmered just beneath the surface.

If I were to sum up my experience: Kiss Her Goodbye felt like a conversation that almost reached catharsis but stopped just short. I’m grateful for the journey, even if I wished for a deeper emotional payoff.

I love Frankie and this series, but this just did not have the same tone as the previous books. I understand what the author was trying to do, but for me it just was too much. It was too saw, emotional and just not the typical subject matter I look for in my suspense thrillers. It was missing the thrills for me and Frankie's usual snark and sass. I really hope that Lisa returns to Frankie's roots in the next installment. I just wasn't the right audience for this one, but I see why a lot of people are enjoying it.

I always love seeing what Frankie Elkin is up to in her search for missing people. This was the first time I'd listened to a book in this series, and the narrator was fantastic!

This might be one of my favorite Lisa Gardner books so far. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It opened my eyes to. World I knew nothing about and such tragic events that I was clueless about, while also being another great thriller!

This was a very different mystery thriller for me than I am used to reading. I love how it combined elements of historical fiction with true crime. This is the fourth book in a series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook of this and was incredibly entertained by the narrator - Hillary Huber. I was surprised with how such a deep topic (Afghan refugees) was also able to eloquently entail elements of humor such as Frankie being stuck house-sitting for a bunch of snakes and a huge iguana - Petunia. The pace was amazing with this book. Such great background info and constantly had you guessing. As amazing as the narrator was for this book, I think it would be better to read it because there is so much detail that I think would be helpful to go back and review. Amazing book!