I just adore prickly and adrift Frankie Elkin. Once again, Gardner has painted such amazing pictures I felt like I was in the heat of the Tucson desert and crush of refugee camp. Delightfully twisty and compelling.

It has been awhile since I’ve picked up a Gardner book. I’m glad I did, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and unexpected twists.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In all honesty this was not my favorite Lisa Gardner book. While I like the character of Frankie Elskins, this storyline and plot line were, at times, confusing to me. There was such a large cast of characters, both present and past, that I was having trouble keeping everyone in my head. Although the story is a timely one, I didn't feel it was for me.
Having said that, Gardner creates the most memorable characters and Frankie is a woman for the ages. I love her resilience, her vulnerability and her strength. She can be all three in one scene!
While I didn't like the book as much as other Gardner books, this one was well-written. 4 stars from me.

Frankie is back after spending time doing something she does not enjoy.....connecting. She takes on the case of missing woman and finds herself immersed in the Afgan culture and the world of refugees.

A child is missing her parents and the more Frankie looks into it, the more she wonders who is who, as more players expose themselves as also being interested in the missing.

Frankie also picks up a interesting job that allows her to meet people who are willing to help.

I learned so much from this book that encouraged me to find out more. I love the way the Afgan culture was brought to life

I appreciate the obvious care the author took to tell this story.

I appreciate the chance given to me by the publisher and NetGalley to offer my thoughts and opinions.

This next instalment of the Frankie Elkin series does not disappoint. I absolutely loved all the characters and missing person case as a whole. I was not familiar with the process of people trying to leave Afghanistan to get into the USA.and what Lisa Gardner describes is utterly heartbreaking.
I was captivated learning Sabera’s back story throughout the novel. I enjoyed watching Daryl, Gennie and Frankie’s relationship develop throughout the novel as they band together to keep Zahara safe. This book had me on edge many times; I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen next but alas never succeeded. Lisa Gardner does it again! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait for the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW! Outstanding. In the fourth Frankie Elkin book, Lisa Gardner pushes Frankie to not only find the missing person, but also examine her relationships and what she wants. Frankie is asked to locate an Afghan refugee who’s been moved to Tucson, AZ. Sabera has gone missing and her friend, Aliah knows she would never leave her 4 year old daughter behind. Told from two points of view, Frankie's and Sabera's, the story gives so much insight and depth to both the characters and the refugee process. i absolutely loved this book - and now, I even love iguanas! I cannot imagine the research that Ms. Gardner conducted to write this thoroughly incredible story. This is a book you will want to read twice! A huge thank you to the team at Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is the third Frankie Elkin book I've read and I've enjoyed them all. Frankie is a character trying to get her life together while helping to find missing people. This time she is searching for a missing woman in Tuscon. Her family was relocated there after fleeing Afghanistan. The imbuing of Afghan culture adds to the interest. Everything comes together and characters thought to be out of the story, reappear adding to the intrigue.

Another great book in the Frankie Elkin series. This one has plenty of twists and turns, with some significant international events thrown in. This time Frankie is tasked with finding an Afghan refugee that ends up having quite the mysterious background. Always great characters, I love how their personalities are so clear.

Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My current clientele are all looking for books with no political bias or cultural issues. They are looking for an escape from today.’s climate and at my bookstore things with no political influence are selling far better.

#KissHerGoodbye #NetGalley
Lisa Gardner delivers another gripping installment in her Frankie Elkin series with Kiss Her Goodbye, a high-stakes thriller that blends mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. With a missing mother, a traumatized child, and a past that refuses to stay buried, this novel is an intense and thought-provoking read. Frankie Elkin, a missing persons expert with a relentless drive to find the lost, takes on a case that no one else seems to care about. Sabera Ahmadi, a recent Afghan refugee, disappeared three weeks ago. The police haven’t bothered to open an investigation, and her much older husband seems indifferent. But her best friend is adamant—Sabera would never abandon her three-year-old daughter, Zahra. Frankie’s search takes a shocking turn when a video surfaces showing Sabera walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder. As Frankie digs deeper, she uncovers chilling secrets about the Ahmadi family. Sabera was a gifted linguist, her husband Isaad a brilliant mathematician, and little Zahra—she possesses an extraordinary memory that may put her in grave danger. When Isaad also vanishes and an attempt is made on Zahra’s life, it becomes clear that the Ahmadis are being hunted. But by whom? And why? With time running out, Frankie must unravel a complex web of past sins, dangerous secrets, and hidden identities before more lives are lost.
Likes:-
1 Frankie Elkin’s Relentless Determination: As always, Frankie’s tenacity and unique perspective as an outsider make her a compelling lead. She’s flawed, driven, and willing to risk everything for justice.
2 Timely and Relevant Themes: The novel explores issues of immigration, trauma, and survival, adding emotional weight to the thriller elements.
3 Fast-Paced, Twisty Plot: Gardner masterfully keeps the suspense high, with unexpected revelations and edge-of-your-seat moments.
4 Unforgettable Characters: Zahra, with her haunting ability to recall everything, adds an eerie yet heartbreaking element to the story.
Overall :- Kiss Her Goodbye is a powerful thriller that goes beyond the typical missing persons case, diving into the scars of war, the resilience of a mother’s love, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish. Lisa Gardner delivers a tightly woven, emotionally charged mystery that will keep readers hooked until the final, heart-pounding twist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me an advance copy..

In the fourth installment of the Frankie Elkin series, Frankie is in Arizona searching for Sabera Ahmadi who has been missing for three weeks. Frankie is an unofficial missing persons investigator who looks for missing people the police don’t seem to care about. She is a recovering alcoholic who has no real home and goes wherever the case takes her. She doesn’t accept payment and makes it by finding work on her travels. This time it’s as a pet sitter for a tech genius.

I love this series. I’ve read all of them, but this one really got to me. It tells the plight of a refugee escaping the Taliban and all they go through for a new life in America. It’s something you see on the news but never really think about the details. I really appreciate the length the author goes to in her research and it really helps bring the story to life. This was a fast paced, action packed read that will also tug at your heart. The characters are amazing and I loved Marge and Petunia! I can’t wait to see what comes next for Frankie. I highly recommend picking up this one. You won’t regret it.

I loved the twist and turns in this book, My first opportunity to read about the outstanding character that is Frankie Elvn and it wouldn't be my last. Highly recommend this series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for a honest review.

Frankie Elkin searches for the lost that no one is looking for- this case takes her to Tucson to find a missing Afghani woman, and of course, puts Frankie in all kinds of jeopardy. A fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Also really liked learning about the Aghan culture and refugee camps- you can tell a lot of research went into this one. Until next time, Frankie.

I loved it! Excellent mystery! Frankie is an imperfect investigator but extremely selfless and compassionate. She grows ties with people as soon as she meets them and through those is able to help find their lost ones. The author's descriptions of the refugee camps were absolutely heart wrenching. I especially enjoyed the math aspects. Great series!

I'm usually a big fan of Lisa Gardner's books. However, I had a hard time getting invested in Kiss Her Goodbye.

The story offers an intriguing premise and revolves around Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who mysteriously disappears, and the subsequent search led by missing persons expert Frankie Elkin. The character dynamics, particularly within the Ahmadi family, are effective. Frankie's character is relatable and determined, but her backstory and motivations sometimes come off as one-dimensional. The revelation of family secrets and the ominous presence that threatens Zahra, the young daughter, adds layers to the narrative. Still, the plot twists, while surprising, occasionally veer into predictability, making some climactic moments less impactful.

Overall, Kiss Her Goodbye has a solid foundation and engaging themes about love and sacrifice. If you enjoy a mix of mystery and familial drama, it is still worth picking up.

I would recommend this book even though it just didn't quite hit the mark for me personally. I would rate it a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).

Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera's closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three-year-old daughter. At her insistence, missing person expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson ... just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.

I love the Frankie Elkin series more and more with each book that's released! Frankie works on her own, finding lost people - the invisible kind no one cares about. She has no permanent home and is a bit of a rolling stone. She's a recovering alcoholic who has few personal possessions, and she doesn't let anything tie her down.

Wow! Kiss Her Goodbye is quite the nail-biter!! It was so hard to read about the people trying to leave Afghanistan and get to the USA go through. Utterly heartbreaking.

Lisa Gardner is a master at bringing her characters to life. Some were scary and some made me smile and laugh. I don't want to describe them until you've had the chance to read about them on your own, which is not easy for me. I want to shout about my favorites! *sigh*

Let me just say I absolutely loved Kiss Her Goodbye and I cannot wait to read the next one!!

Thank you, #GrandCentralPublishing, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is #4 in the Frankie Elkin series, and it has an expected publication date of August 12, 2025.

#LisaGardner #SuspenseThriller #AfghanRefugees

I was SO impressed with this one. Frankie Elkin is back to help find a missing Afghan refugee and it was apparent Lisa Gardner had done extensive research in order to tell her story in the most authentic way. Frankie teams up with an "island of misfit toys" including Ginni (the housekeeper who dresses up as famous women of Hollywood past), Daryl (the ex-con ballroom dancing driver), and Roberta (Daryl's former parole officer who is now his ballroom dancing partner but is married to someone else) to search for Sabera and reunite her with her 4 year-old daughter Zahara. If you're new to the Frankie Elkin series, start from the top but don't skip this one!

Love this series and this book did not disappoint. Lots of adventure and mystery. Looking forward to the next installment

Frankie is back and headed to Tucson.

First, a job. And a place to stay. Frankie is not a fan of reptiles, but takes what is offered. A pet sitting job for a wealthy gamer. With a housekeeper, and a driver. Oh, yeah, a very large lizard.

The job is to find a recent refugee, Sabera Ahmadi, who has been missing for a few weeks.
The refugee community doesn’t trust anyone, which makes the job harder, but with the help of new friends, she may have a chance of finding her.

Until a video shows her leaving a double murder scene. There is something about the Ahmadi family that doesn’t add up. Is her husband abusive? Would she leave her daughter?

Oh the suspense! I loved this book. Great plot.


NetGalley/ Grand Central Publishing August 12,2025

This is the 4th installment in the Frankie Elkin series, about an unofficial missing persons investigator, who picks her cases based on the fact that the people she’s searching for are the invisible kind — people who no one cares much about or their disappearance. Frankie is sort of “hired” via word of mouth. She has no permanent home, is a recovering alcoholic, and owns very few belongings, so she can travel on a whim. Her standard operating procedure is to find cheap rent and a low paying job (usually as a bartender) in the town she lands in.

This time it’s Tucson, and she finds lodging as an exotic pet-sitter (iguana and multiple snakes) for a twenty something millionaire gamer who is off to a tech bro convention for a month. Frankie has been invited by Aliah, an Afghan refugee and deli owner, whose friend Sabera, another Afghani, disappeared three weeks ago, leaving behind a four year old daughter and a seemingly non-caring older husband. Aliah is convinced that Sabera would never leave her daughter behind willingly, and law enforcement is not concerned about a runaway housewife.

The first break in the case is unexpected: Sabera is filmed on CCTV leaving a murder scene. We learn much of Sabera’s traumatic background as she loses family members and barely escapes the Taliban while pregnant. The author obviously put a lot of research into the life of an Afghan refugee. Assisting Frankie are Aliah and two of gamer BoyWonder’s other employees, chauffeur Daryl and housekeeper Genni. Daryl’s ballroom dance partner, Roberta, was his parole officer, and Roberta’s brother is the detective becoming more interested in Sabera’s disappearance. Together they make a fascinating group of eccentric people, and they all end up guarding four year old Zahra. Interspersed with Frankie’s POV, are Sabera’s memories of leaving Afghanistan, only to find more danger in the U.S.

Let’s not forget Petunia and Marge — the green iguana and a gigantic white python, plus a dozen baby pythons, that Frankie still has to feed on a strict schedule. Plus Petunia gets TV time. Both get some villain-flavored snacks, too.

This is a story about the effect of war on families as much as a missing person story. Frankie learns a lot more than she was prepared for about the complications of being a refugee and the struggles that immigrants face in order to settle in the U.S. Author Gardner has written a deeply emotional tale that obviously required a lot of research. 4.5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO But there are some rare gray eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Gamer millionaire does have large desert landscaping with barrel cacti and giant aloes.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!