Book Review | Come With Me by Ronald Malfi

Aaron Decker’s life is changed when his wife, Allison, is killed in a mass shooting. He struggles to move on until he finds a receipt for a motel room in her belongings, hinting at a trip that he has no knowledge of. He embarks on a journey to trace Allison’s steps before her death. But he has no idea about the darkness that awaits him – and the risks he is taking.

I’m of the opinion that when it comes to secrets, there is no end to what we don’t know about a person. Even the person who sleeps next to us and shares our lives.

Come With Me is one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you want a psychological thriller, murder mystery, supernatural tale, and love story all in one, this is it. I devoured this in two days and it left me reeling.

In the Marvel TV series Wandavision, the character Vision says, “What is grief, but love persevering?” I can’t think of a better quote to represent this book and how it explores grief in all its complexities. Aaron’s devastation is palpable, consumed by his love for Allison. Yet he also learns that she might not be the person he knew. How does he reconcile her image in his head with what he now discovers after her death? As his quest leads him down dangerous roads, he starts hearing things, seeing visions and sensing that something is off-kilter. He believes he’s haunted by her ghost. But are they real or the disturbed state of mind of a grieving husband?

I feel it’s best to read this book without knowing the story ahead because the journey and payoff are worth it. The blend of a murder investigation with the creepier aspects of ghosts and urban legend is done well. A scene taking place at an abandoned refinery is a particular standout, giving me goosebumps! There’s a sense of foreboding on every page. While the story has some familiar beats, I thought the plotting is clever and I didn’t see the ending coming. I was left quite moved.

The book is written in the second person POV as if Aaron is speaking to Allison. It takes some getting used to at first but it actually makes his voice feels more personal. The writing is captivating and melancholic. This is not just a story about marriage but also family, history and a lifelong search for truth. It speaks of the emptiness left behind in the aftermath of a death. When someone you love is lost, who is left to haunt you?

Come With Me is a stunning exploration of love, loss and obsession. You don’t want to sleep on this book!

CW: gun violence, domestic abuse, child abuse

I received a copy from the publisher and Netgalley for review purposes.

About the author: Ronald Malfi

Photo by Jake Weirick