Lisa Gardner speaks on her new book “Kiss Her Goodbye”

New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Gardner released the latest installment in her Frankie Elkin series. In this series, Frankie is called to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan refugee, whose friend suspects she is in grave danger. A young mother, haunted by war, is determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren’t so easy to escape.

Lisa Gardner, the author of “Kiss Her Goodbye: A Frankie Elkin Novel” joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss her new book.

When writing her books, the first step for Gardner is research; however, for “Kiss Her Goodbye: A Frankie Elkin Novel,” Gardner found this step particularly challenging. It was unlike anything she had ever done before.

“This was the hardest research I’ve ever done,” Gardner said. “Generally I’m writing police thrillers, so I’m interviewing law enforcement about a particular procedure. This was really a study in the human experience.”

Gardner chose Tucson to be the main location of the novel after hearing the story of a family that took in an Afghan family, and the challenges they dealt with.

“…listening to them talk about all of those challenges, and what it really takes to become up and self-sufficient in 90 days, it just blew my mind,” Gardner said. “…things that make me interested and curious, I think other readers would love to know about.”

When doing research on refugees, Gardner analyzed the support they are receiving and the challenges that comes with supporting refugees. There are numerous resettlement agencies all over the countries, with many families volunteering to support refugees.

“…unfortunately, so many of those resources are being pulled right now,” Gardner explained, “…which will make it more complicated…it is a huge undertaking.”

If you are interested in a signed copy of her book you can purchase one here.