Kiss Her Goodbye - Frankie Elkin is back and searches for a missing Afghan refugee in this riveting thriller.

Though not a licensed investigator, Frankie Elkin dedicates herself to finding missing people. She does this without seeking payment or publicity, focusing on those who are not actively being searched for. And she's good at it. She has no permanent home, choosing to go wherever the cases take her, without personal belongings or attachments. Staying sober is her main priority.

Frankie's latest investigation takes her to Tucson, Arizona, in search of Sabera Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee. After the Taliban murdered her family, Sabera, her husband Isaad, and four-year-old daughter Zahra managed to reach the United States. When Sabera is seen on video leaving a double murder scene, it becomes evident that she is entangled in a dangerous situation. Shortly after, Isaad disappears, and there is an attempt to abduct Zahra. Frankie lands a side job taking care of a wealthy gamer's exotic pets, providing her with a place to stay. The homeowner's driver and cook assist Frankie in finding Sabera. The story shifts between the urgent search for Sabera and flashbacks of her time in Kabul, written in diary form. Through this, we discover the secrets Sabera brought with her to America. 

Kiss Her Goodbye is Lisa Gardner's fourth novel featuring Frankie Elkin, a complex and compassionate character I have grown to like very much. This book can be read as a standalone. Although it's a mystery thriller, it also highlights the struggles faced by refugees from war-torn Afghanistan. The story features a diverse array of intriguing characters, including a menagerie of reptiles, featuring Petunia, an iguana who enjoys watching television. Check out this captivating series.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the advance.

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Mystery Thriller.

Publication Date: August 12, 2025.

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