A good read. Frankie usually investigates cold cases of people who are missing. However, she is asked to investigate the possible abduction of an Afghan refugee girl. Very interesting insight into what happens when refugees are housed and where they are located. There are some gruesome descriptions but these are necessary for the story. I found it fascinating.

Thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. With outrageous events, humour, larger than life characters this ovel covers some very serious issues in an exciting and believable way. The dialogue is great and the main character Frankie Elvin, as flawed and vulnerable as ever, is well drawn and her tenacity is appealing. Loved it !

A good enough read with a very odd cast of characters and some far fetched moments.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Warning: this book is not a comfortable read.
Frankie investigates missing people. This time she is asked to look for an Afghan refugee girl who has been missing for several weeks. The police think that she's probably moved but her liaison worker thinks that she would not have left her young daughter voluntarily.
As Frankie doesn't charge for finding people, she also gets a job house sitting and looking after exotic pets.
Her investigations are inter cut with the woman Sabera's letters to her young daughter describing why they fled Afghanistan and what happened on their journey to America. It is clear that they are wanted by the Taliban because they have a secret.
Warning: this is not a comfortable read. There are gruesome descriptions but necessary to the plot.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUKCornerstone for the book #kissHerGoodbye by #LisaGardner. I am a huge Frankie Elkin fan and this book is simply marvelous. Frankie had agreed to look for missing refugee, Sabera, who had a husband and four year old daughter. They all have special abilities, husband is a mathematician, daughter has an unforgettable memory and mother is a linguist. Frankie sets out to find out about the missing mother and her past and gets in trouble, Frankie style. Can she solve the mysteriousness of this case and bring Sabera home?

Sorry, I had to DNF partway through. I didn't enjoy the previous book but wanted to give the series another go, but I couldn't get into it. Thank you for the opportunity, but I won't be sharing a review.

Frankie Elkin is back—and this time, she’s searching for Sabera Ahmadi, a missing Afghan refugee and mother, in the scorching heart of Tucson. What starts as a quiet investigation quickly spirals into a web of secrets, trauma, and danger. Sabera’s past in Kabul, her brilliant but mysterious husband, and her daughter’s uncanny memory all play a role in a case that’s anything but straightforward.

Gardner blends gripping suspense with emotional depth, exploring the refugee experience with nuance and care. Frankie remains one of my favourite protagonists—empathetic, flawed, and fiercely determined. The pacing builds beautifully, the side characters shine (yes, even the reptiles!), and the twists kept me hooked.

A powerful, layered thriller that’s both eye-opening and utterly absorbing. Highly recommend for fans of character-driven mysteries with heart.

Thank you to Compulsive Readers for my ARC copy

My first time reading Lisa Gardner and I was completely drawn in – such a gripping read!

Frankie Elkin is a missing-persons investigator who is full of determination but is also flawed, making her such a real character that you wanna root for. In this story she’s looking for Sabera, a young mum and refugee who vanishes leaving her young child behind and things quickly turn very dark. Even as a first-time reader of this series I found the story gripping - the suspense is real. The emotional side of the story – especially Sabera’s journal entries they are haunting and it explores themes of war, trauma and motherhood, without ever losing sight of the plot. The side characters really shine and are likeable, even the animals - yes, there’s an iguana and a few snakes!!! This is not a light thriller, but one that really stays with you, it hit hard – emotional, tense, and unforgettable. Will definitely be picking up another book in this series. Huge thank you to Lisa Gardner, compulsive readers and net galley for this chance to read and give my honest review.

Frankie Elkin is particularly talented at finding missing people that no one else has been able to find. A recovering alcoholic, she lives a nomadic lifestyle, travelling from place to place when asked to find someone who has disappeared. She expects no recompense for her skills and lives simply with little baggage. Tough, intuitive and resilient, she is always prepared to go the extra mile to find the lost.

In this fourth episode in the series, Frankie travels to Tucson, Arizona in response to a request to find a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera Ahmadi. She disappeared three weeks before from her home with her husband, Isaad and four year old daughter, Zahra. The family are newly arrived in Tucson, after spending four years in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.

Seeking somewhere cheap to live while in Tucson, Frankie takes a job with free accommodation in a mansion, along with a driver and car and a cook. All she has to do in return is look after a tech millionaire’s reptile collection of several pythons and a giant iguana for a month. The only problem is Frankie doesn’t like reptiles, particularly snakes, and now she has no choice but get up close to feed them.

When Sabera is sighted in a video on the news, leaving the scene of a double murder and then Isaad also disappears, Frankie begins to suspect that the Ahmadi family is in a whole lot of trouble. They’ve only been in Tucson a few weeks, so could it stem back to their life in Kabul and the past they thought they had left behind?

There are multiple layers to the plot and the reason for Sabera’s disappearance takes a while to come into focus, but the tension is palpable as we wonder if she will be found alive. The darkness caused by the danger to Sabera and her family is offset by the introduction of some colourful, larger than life secondary characters as well as Frankie’s less than expert experiences in looking after the reptiles.

Gardner’s research into the life Sabera would have lived in Afghanistan is very thorough and her heartbreaking depictions of the desperation of those trying to flee Kabul are told with empathy and compassion. She also shines a light on the difficulties refugees like Sabera and her family encounter in starting a new life in America, with only a few weeks of financial support. This gritty and immersive read could be read as a stand-alone.

This is a thrilling and emotional story that pulls you in from the very first page. It follows Frankie Elkin, a brave and determined woman who searches for missing people when no one else will. This time, she’s in Tucson, Arizona, trying to find Sabera Ahmadi, a young Afghan refugee who vanished without a trace.

The story is full of mystery and suspense. Sabera’s disappearance seems strange, especially since her husband doesn’t seem worried. Her best friend believes Sabera would never leave her little daughter, Zahra, behind. Frankie takes on the case and quickly learns that this family has many secrets. Sabera is a talented linguist, her husband Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, and Zahra has an amazing memory that might be dangerous.

As Frankie digs deeper, she finds a video of Sabera at the scene of a terrible crime. Then Isaad disappears too, and someone tries to hurt Zahra. The tension builds as Frankie races to uncover the truth and protect the child. The plot moves quickly, with twists and surprises that keep you guessing.

Lisa Gardner writes in a clear and exciting way. The characters feel real, and you care about what happens to them. Frankie is strong, smart, and easy to root for. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys mysteries with heart. It’s easy to follow, full of action, and leaves you thinking about family, courage, and justic

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK and Lisa Gardner for an ARC in return for an honest review.

An intriguing mystery/thriller skilfully narrated through two different time periods.
I have read books before in this series but each book can be read as a standalone. Good characters in this latest one. Interesting if not all likeable.
I enjoyed the insight into life for Afghan people who have fled their country, the politics involved and the difficulties in resettling in new locations.
A fast paced,strong storyline with various twists and turns which I really enjoyed reading.
4 stars

I hadn't read any of the previous Frankie Elkin books in this series but don't feel particularly disadvantaged by that. This book stands in its own right. The only thing I'm left wondering is how someone that volunteers to find people actually finances herself day to day as that isn't covered in this book. Maybe that's been covered previously.

Frankie volunteers to find missing people. Picking and choosing who she'll look for next and moving from city to city as she does so. This book is based on a missing Afghan refugee that recently settled in Tucson, USA.
It delves into life as an Afghan refugee as part of the backstory as well as the transition to life in America after resettlement. Both are interesting aspects to this book. Afghan customs also get put into the mix and at times it gets your tastes buds watering with some of the food thrown together and offered out throughout the book. Some of the dishes I certainly now want to try myself. I feel like I'm missing out!

As for the story. It's a good read. Go with it, as it's slightly unbelievable at times with some of the decisions but mixes good characters and new friends and action in a great balance. The backstory was at times a little disjointed from what was going on in the present but certainly played it's part.

Overall it's 4 stars from me. It wasn't one I found myself rushing to finish but an enjoyable read nonetheless.

The great writer brings modern day issues, refugees from Afghanistan, into the front of normal lives in the US of A. There is enormous trauma in some people’s past and it‘s getting to the route of these causes that leads to modern day troubles. I haven’t read previous Frankie Elkin stories by this writer, but I have enjoyed many Lisa Gardner books before and all have been at least good. There are some very dark passages in this book, just as you’d expect with the story of how a girl leaves Afghanistan and then goes missing in the US. If you’re not familiar with the lives of refugees before and after country changes, this book will tell you all you need to know, but it’s a good read and makes this story very interesting. I must go and investigate further stories in this series.

I’ve been following Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series and this 4th one proved to be a compelling and at times , fun read , despite the subject matter.
Frankie searches for missing people and in”Kiss Her Goodbye” she is asked to look for a missing Afghan refugee and young mother, Sabera.
Interspersed with the search, the reader is provided with Sabera’s back story and her journey to the US as a refugee with her husband Isaad and 4 year old Zahra.
Before beginning to look,, Frankie decides to pet sit for Bart a rich young tech genius so that she has somewhere to stay in Tuscon.
Whilst looking after his animals she meets Daryl and Genni who work fore Bart and who transpire to be fabulous characters. They decide to help Frankie and become central to the plot. Genni in particular is a fabulous invention and someone I’d love to meet,
Sabera’s story is awful and her life in the refugee camps and as a newly arrived immigrant is terrible. The author has fully researched the subject and I had no trouble believing what she had written.
As Frankie delves into Sabera’s background and comes closer to finding her the danger increases although it is difficult to work out why Sabera’s has been targeted. Sabera has some special skills which are a curse as well as a blessing but in the end it is Zahra who has inherited her mother’s ability who provides Frankie with some clues to her mother’s secrets and which, at first, are difficult to interpret.
I really liked Frankie and her desire to find “Sabera” when no one else is looking - she will not give up and is hopeful that she might find her alive. As the stakes become higher she does not shy away from danger, an admirable quality.
I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in the series and hoping that Frankie might bring herself to go back to someone she regrets leaving behind!
I recommend the whole series but this book could also be read as a stand alone.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Having read the previous Frankie Elkin stories, I found this one to have more heart and I also enjoyed the friends she made in this book. The back story was also gripping.

Book 4 in the Frankie Elkin series, but can certainly be read as a standalone.
I love Frankie she’s funny, which breaks up the darker side of the stories, in this book her search for the missing involves the search for Afghan refugee. The investigation as always with Frankie is full of suspense with some surprising developments along the way.
I really enjoy Lisa Gardner books and this was no exception, a very enjoyable read.

Thank you for having me on the tour

@lisagardnerbks
@thebookdealer
@centurybooksuk
#kisshergoodbye

Nach einer längeren Auszeit hat Frankie ihr erstes Treffen für einen eventuell neuen Fall in Tucson, Arizona. Gastgeberin Aliah bewirtet sie üppig mit Tee und getrockneten Früchten. Sie erzählt von ihrer Freundin Sabera, die seit drei Wochen verschwunden ist. Frankie bearbeitet seit zehn Jahren hoffnungslose Vermisstenfälle, und kann momentan noch gar nicht sagen, welchen der vielen möglichen neuen Fälle sie wählen wird. Sie arbeitet ohne Entlohnung, ohne wirkliche Heimat und kann jederzeit überall hin, wenn erforderlich. Eigentlich ist der Fall von Sabera noch zu frisch, aber das gleichzeitige Verschwinden eines afghanischen Freundes hat ihre Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Vielleicht könnte sie so ja auch mal eine Vermisste lebend nach Hause bringen. Nur Aliah sorgt sich bislang um die vor zehn Wochen erst von Abu Dhabi immigrierte Frau. Aber Sabera hat ihre vierjährige Tochter Zarah zurückgelassen, das besorgt Aliah. Saberas Mann hat das Verschwinden noch nicht mal gemeldet, es war wohl keine große Liebesheirat zwischen den beiden.
Die Polizei glaubt den Aussagen der Arbeitskollegen, dass sie ihren Mann verlassen wollte. Ihr Mann Isaad sagt, dass sie bald zurück sein wird. Frankie erfragt noch einige Details zu ihr und begibt sich dann doch kurzentschlossen schon an die Arbeit. Normalerweise arbeitet sie für ihren Lebensunterhalt in Bars, aber hier ist das Wohnen zu teuer. So stolpert sie in ein Tauschgeschäft. Für ihre Unterkunft muss sie in einem Luxusanwesen einen großen Leguan hüten. Der reiche Halter muss dringend zu einer Gaming Weltreise. Sie bekommt eine schnelle Einweisung. Diese Szenen sind herrlich, betonen das besondere und lassen auch einen gewissen Humor nicht missen. Neben dem Leguan Petunia soll sie auch die Baby Ball Pythons und die große Phyton Marge betreuen, dabei hat sie Panik vor Schlangen. Aber der Besitzer schafft es unglaublicherweise sie zu überrumpeln.
Der Roman entwickelt sich um ein sehr aktuelles Thema und gewährt einen Blick in das Leben und die Psyche von afghanischen Flüchtlingen in den USA. Interessante Nebenfiguren, und auch die Tiere bereichern die Geschichte.
Es geschehen weitere Verbrechen, die wohl irgendwie in Beziehung zu Sabera stehen. Doch zunächst beißt Frankie sich an allen die Zähne aus. Keiner will wirklich offen sprechen. Dann nimmt das Buch nach einer überraschenden Enthüllung und einer unvorhergesehenen Wendung zunehmend Tempo auf, die Spannung steigt. Aber weiterhin gibt es Fragen über Fragen. Die so unterschiedlichen Personen rätseln zusammen. Detective Marc, Fahrer Daryl, Bewährungshelferin Roberta und die Afghanin Ahlia. Auch Tochter Zahrah spielt eine große Rolle.
Man lernt weitere Details über Frankie und sie wird in diesem Buch nahbarer. Die Zahl der Opfer steigt und es droht brutale Gewalt. Es folgt ein sehr spannendes und blutiges Finale. Der ungeahnt sehr komplexe Fall wird umfassend aufgeklärt.
Ein starker 4. Teil der Serie um Frankie Elkin. Ich freue mich schon auf weitere Bücher.

Frankie Elkin finds those who are missing or lost when everyone else gives up. This time this might be an impossible task.
A friend of the missing woman has asked Frankie to find Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who’s not been seen for three weeks.
The last time she was seen she was in the location of a double murder, and now she is a possible suspect.
Once her search begins, Frankie finds out Sabera has a family with a dark past, and it’s not long before that past and her family become the focal point of her investigation. Along with a code Frankie must break if she is to solve this case and rescue Sabera.
This will be her toughest test to date and also her most deadly.
Lisa Gardner has created a fantastic character in Frankie Elkin. She is tough and relentless, but also sensitive and caring. A person the reader can love and respect.
I’ve read all the books in this series and I’m a huge fan. I personally think Frankie Elkin is the best character to come along since Jack Reacher, and found this book to be an absolute pleasure to read.

It’s an interesting read, quite different from the last book in the series. It’s a twisty thriller, with one foot firmly in the real world. The Afghan background has a strong sense of reality about it and it helps give the story some real weight.

To counterpoint the darkness, there is a fun cast of characters on Frankie’s side, from the house-sitting that she is doing to get free accommodation. It makes a strong team, particularly the chauffeur and works really well.

All in all, an interesting thriller with a sense of reality. Well worth your time.

Another Frankie Elkin success!
An Afghan refugee missing for 3 weeks in Tucson, Arizona.
Lots of research done by the author and the book came alive.
Many twists and turns.
I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.