Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi left work one day and never arrived home. Her husband was unconcerned, but her closest friend feared the worst. Sabera would never disappear and leave her three-year-old daughter behind. Frankie Elkin agreed to aid in the search, which found her in the steamy streets of Tucson.
After Frankie learned about the Ahmadi family's complexities, she realized this would be a complex investigation. The head of the family, Isaad, was a brilliant mathematician. Sabera was a gifted linguist; her young daughter had a photographic memory, and her ability to remember everything may have placed a strange curse on her life.
After Isaad disappears under mysterious circumstances and Azhara’s life is threatened, Frankie fears the family is being targeted and moves ahead quickly to uncover the family’s past to protect them from any further violence.

KISS HER GOODBYE was another excellent installment in the Frankie Elkin series, who continues to grow and deepen along with her adventures. This one explores many facets of being an Afghan refugee, which was refreshing and at times heartbreaking to learn about. A lot of research clearly went into this one and it all came together in a story that was creative, richly imagined, and satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review KISS HER GOODBYE.

Frankie is on the hunt in Arizona for a missing Afghan mom who never returned home from an errand, leaving her husband and 3 year old daughter completely in the dark as to get whereabouts.
But as Frankie starts delving into Sabera Ahmadi's past, as an Afghan refugee, it quickly becomes apparent that Sabera led a complicated and dangerous life. Nothing is as it is being portrayed to Frankie.
Frankie is at her sharpest, once again, in spite of her own demons and checkered past.
Fast moving and interesting characters with quite a bit of Afghan history and customs
along the read.
Frankie Elkins is a good character with an interesting and likeable personality.
Keep her story coming.

I can only imagine how much research was required for this book. The stories of the refugees, the camps, and the loss of country are raw and chilling. Frankie is her usual undaunted self and her cast of friends for this search do not disappoint. I recommend this book to virtually any reader, fan of suspense, history buff, entertained by personalities, you will all devour this well crafted story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner due to be published August 12, 2025
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Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. Now her husband is missing, also. Frankie Elkin is called to Tucson to join in the search. Will she find Sabera before she, too, is missing or hurt?
I have read the first three Frankie Elkin books so couldn’t wait to read this one. It didn’t disappoint. Sometimes funny, always thrilling as Frankie searches for people that no one else can seem to find. This one was probably the best of the four!
Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

#NetGalley #LisaGardner #GrandCentralPublishing #KissHerGoodbye

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Frankie goes to Tucson to find a missing refugee who is in danger. Sabera and her daughter can remember everything they see. Can she find them in time? Others are looking for them too with evil in mind.

Garnder is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed this latest Frankie Elkin novel. Gardner does a great job exploring new issues and story lines in every book. I loved exploring the refugee angel. Can't wait for her next novel!

A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren't so easy to escape.

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 persons 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.

Frankie quickly 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—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl's short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra's life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family's horrific past.

Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Frankie Elkin is back and this time she is trying to find an Afghan refugee named Sabera. I had a bit of trouble at first with the back and forth from Frankie to Sabera’’s memories. I did enjoy the “pets “ that Frankie was entrusted to take care of. And the characters that lived in the house with her. A very different but enjoyable book.

Frankie Elkin is back in Lisa Gardner’s 4th in series, Kiss Her Goodbye. Frankie struggles to leave her new relationship but follows that pull again when she’s asked to help find an Afghan refugee who’s been moved to Tucson, AZ. Sabera has gone missing and her new friend and mentor, Aliah knows she would never voluntarily leave her 4 year old daughter behind. As Frankie searches for the missing woman she finds that there is so much going on with this family.

I love everything Lisa Gardner writes and was so excited for the next in her series! This newest book had a different feel, but I definitely enjoyed it. It was captivating getting to hear about another culture I really wasn’t familiar with. It was heartbreaking and both inspiring to get that backstory in this one and I enjoyed the ride.

All the stars for Frankie Elkins. Another great story involving Frankie and her search for the missing. This time we dive into Afghanistan and the culture, what happened when American left, and the repercussions felt for years.
What made me love this book so much is how ordinary people came together to risk their lives because it was the right thing to do. Maybe just what I needed to read right about now.
And who knew I would grow to love an iguana?