About Mia

Mia Michaels is a Norwegian-born author living in Surrey, England, where she shares a cottage with her two teenage children and regularly debates whether life would be improved by the addition of another dog.

After a career that has taken her through hotels around the world and into hospitality PR, Mia has spent years collecting stories, characters and observations, many of which have found their way into her writing. Drawn to the complexities of human relationships, hidden motivations and the choices that can change lives forever, she writes character-driven crime drama with emotional depth, psychological tension and a keen interest in the secrets people keep.

Her debut novel, The Shape of What We Broke, is a gripping crime drama that explores family secrets, betrayal, guilt and the long shadows cast by the past. At its heart are flawed characters faced with the consequences of their actions.

Although writing a novel had been on her to-do list for as long as she can remember, Mia finally stopped talking about it and wrote one. She is currently working on her next book and is delighted to have exchanged ‘aspiring author’ for simply ‘author.’

He's dead. So why is he back?

The Shape of What We Broke

A psychological thriller. Out now in paperback, hardcover and Kindle.

Buy on Amazon

Cover of The Shape of What We Broke by Mia Michaels: a lone figure walking down a foggy, lamplit street at night.

The Book

Daniel is dead. Tess knows it.

She's spent years trying to live with what happened, trying to convince herself that some ghosts belong in the past.

Then she sees him. Standing across a crowded hall. Watching her. He looks older. Different. But those eyes are unmistakable. And then it all goes black.

As Tess's world begins to unravel, buried secrets claw their way back to the surface. Everyone believes she's trapped by old trauma. Everyone except former DCI Nick Forbes, who can't ignore the growing trail of impossible clues.

Because if Daniel is alive, someone has been lying for years. And if he's dead, Tess is running out of time to discover who's determined to make her believe otherwise.

Some things don't stay buried. They change shape.

Formats: Paperback, hardcover, Kindle
Length: 275 pages (paperback)
Published: 10 April 2026
ISBN: 979-8255852079

Reader questions

What is The Shape of What We Broke about?

Tess has spent years living with Daniel's death. Then she sees him across a crowded hall, older but unmistakable. As buried secrets surface, everyone believes she is trapped by old trauma, except former DCI Nick Forbes, who can't ignore the growing trail of impossible clues.

What kind of book is it?

A psychological thriller and character-driven crime drama. It explores family secrets, betrayal, guilt and the long shadows cast by the past.

Where can I buy it?

On Amazon, in paperback, hardcover and Kindle editions. The paperback has 275 pages and was published on 10 April 2026 (ISBN 979-8255852079).

Who is Mia Michaels?

Mia Michaels is a Norwegian-born author living in Surrey, England. After a career in international hotels and hospitality PR, she writes character-driven crime drama. The Shape of What We Broke is her debut novel.

Is Mia writing another book?

Yes. Mia is currently working on her next book.