Come with Me by Ronald Malfi (2021) Review

Why I picked up the book:

 Aaron’s life is turned upside down when his wife, Allison, is killed. Missing her and still sensing her presence, Aaron is shocked to find a receipt for a motel room when he is sorting her belongings. He is determined to follow the trail and find out what Allison was hiding from him and why. 

His investigation will take him on a path of danger and dark secrets. Will the truth bring him closer to Allison or make him realize he never had her at all?

The book through my criteria lens:

 I first read Come with Me as an audiobook produced by Tantor Audio and narrated by Joe Hempel. I was delighted with this production. Hempel was the perfect choice for this book. His narration added so much depth and life to Aaron and the story. I felt the pacing was excellent, and the narrating style was very compelling. I also appreciate that the way Hempel told the story was easy to follow and focus on. I listened to it every second I was free until it was done. 

This is my first Malfi book, and what a punch in the face his writing was! I mean that in the best possible way. Now and then, you will read a genre book and feel every word written, breathe at each comma and bask in the literary sun you were just gifted with while being extremely entertained by the story. Such was my experience with Come with Me. The character work was superbly done, and the way we followed the story as Aaron shares his journey with Allison’s ghost/memory made me feel like I was immersed and invested in the outcome. It felt like being in both Allison and Aaron’s shoes, and oh boy, was that an emotional ride!

I have no words to describe how fantastic this book is. Speechless.

My personal feelings:

 Aaron’s grief really touched me. His journey for closure, juggling the fear that it will end with realizing he didn’t know Allison, and the hope that he will honour her by completing a mission that consumed her life, was absolutely relatable and touching.

Grief is a big part of my life, and the way Malfi handled it through Aaron was authentic, compelling, and emotional. And I think this visceral, raw, and vulnerable depiction is what kept me from thoroughly enjoying myself while reading this book. 

I am no genre expert, but Come with Me read more like a dark psychological thriller than a horror. Maybe I was so connected to Aaron and his grief that I overlooked the horror – grief tends to blur other feelings around it. At least it does to me. Regardless of how this book is marketed, it is an excellent read.

When I first started reading Come with Me, I thought it would go in a direction I didn’t want to go. I was so happy when it didn’t. There are no flaws in Malfi’s telling of Come with Me. With this one book, I have become a fan, and he became an auto-buy. I will be binging on his other books and highly recommend this to everyone!

My total rating: 4.83

I mention this book in this video: TBD

Until next book, be the hummingbird!