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The Devil in Mia

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Life is no bowl of cherries for the Smiths. Matt is a selfish prick with a drinking problem, and his long-suffering wife has fallen foul of a most unsavoury guest. As merry hell begins to break loose and it becomes clear that her life is in mortal danger, Matt finds himself dealing with more than one demon. The question is, will he finally prove man enough to rise to the occasion?

Book number two in the Hartmouth Horrors series of standalone novellas, this dark little tale crackles with irreverent nastiness.

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

14 people want to read

About the author

Jan Miklaszewicz

16 books54 followers
Born and raised in South West England, Jan is a father, a husband, and a former poet. Readers enjoy his work for its directness and sense of humour, as well as its smooth, free-flowing prose.

Much of his back catalogue is poetry, with four collections, two narrative poems, two anthologies, and an instructional guide for children to his name.

More recently Jan has branched out into fiction writing, beginning with a collection of grim little shorts before moving into darker territory, conceiving the Hartmouth Horrors series of standalone novellas.

And it is on this twisted fare that he will be focusing for the foreseeable future, each year releasing two new tales set in the fictional English seaside town of Hartmouth.

Expect dark themes, fruity, colloquial language, plenty of gore and grime, and lashings of ‘what just happened’ moments.

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Peter.
4,082 reviews810 followers
November 25, 2025
Mia is getting more and more possessed by a demon. Here you'll read her story, her relationship to Matt and some secrets in the family. Can she be saved from eternal hell? Interesting horror pastiche that strongly reminded me on The Exorcist at parts. The ending dragged a bit and the denouement a bit too smooth. Otherwise the ideal dark read for cold winter evenings. Really recommended!
Profile Image for Molly Macabre.
Author 4 books108 followers
October 29, 2025
What begins as a slice of domestic dysfunction quickly unravels into a nightmare. Matt, the alcoholic husband, and Mia, his self-absorbed wife, are two deeply flawed people circling the drain, and their downfall makes for compulsive reading.

This tale reminded me of Come Closer or The Haunting of Sheila Lee, both of which contain creeping dread, loads of suspense and questions, and an untrustworthy protagonist.

Miklaszewicz’s prose is distinctly British: natural, flowy, and cheeky in all the right places. It’s the kind of writing that makes you smirk one moment and cringe the next. The tone is irreverent, the dialogue precise, and even in the most grotesque moments, there’s a rhythm that keeps you hooked.

The chapters were short and snappy with no dull moments. Not only is this an obvious and outward horror, but the rot at the heart of marriage is a focus here, too. Jan does a fantastic job at getting the reader settled into an average, everyday home just to infiltrate it with evil and turn everything on its head.

The story itself is disturbing in the best way. What I appreciated most was how The Devil in Mia never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a dark, nasty little tale with bite. It’s grotesque, funny, tragic, and unnervingly human. Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely for readers who enjoy their horror laced with wit and decay.

A FanFiAddict review
32 reviews8 followers
October 22, 2025
Jan has this quality as a writer that I truly appreciate and admire. Within a novella, he's able to put the reader through the wringer emotionally.

Do I think this is for everyone?
No. No way is it for everyone. If you have a delicate sensibility, this is not the book for you. (Note the description of the book and that it's from the 'Hartmouth Horrors' series).

This book is for people who don't shy away from gore and uncomfortable situations. There are moments in this punchy story that had me in the verge of gagging (I LOVE extreme horror, but this just got me). I truly, honestly adore the stories that Jan produces and will read literally anything he puts out.

His evolution from short form to novella has been a beauty to behold and I for hope that he never stops writing.

Succinct, impactful, disgusting, funny and I couldn't put it down.

Smashed it again, Miklaszewicz.
Profile Image for Catherine Arthur.
Author 5 books10 followers
October 22, 2025
Hartmouth is turning out not to be such a lovely place after all, as Eyes Wide Open, the first in Jan Miklaszewicz’s Hartmouth Horrors collection, suggested it was.
Once again, Jan has produced a captivating novella that delivers exactly what one expects from a horror.
He draws you into an everyday world with excellent prose and dialogue, but with every turn of the page, the sense of unease ramps up. Before you know it, the prologue you’d completely forgotten about becomes all too clear.
It’s grim, gruesome, and unnerving.
As I said, just what you’d expect from a horror.
Profile Image for Brent Matley.
Author 13 books17 followers
November 22, 2025
Jan returns to Hartmouth to deliver an excellent second novella!
However, I don't think I will be moving to Hartmouth anytime soon, ha.

In this review I will not be talking about the plot as to avoid spoilers, as readers are in for a real treat. What Jan is a master at is luring you in from the very first page; there are no dull moments yet again. He writes with a smooth and colloquial elegance - hailing from the UK myself so I maybe a little biased but I love how Jan captures the essence of a small English town; the distinct pubs that have old decor and the distinct smell of stale ale and cigarettes. Not only does Jan capture this in the environmental descriptions, but also in the realistic dialogue between characters. I can assure you Jan captures this extremely well.

One of the areas Jan has improved upon from Eyes Wide Open is character depth and development. In Eyes Wide Open the story followed a group of students which, because of the larger cast of characters, suffered a little in getting to know their backgrounds and deeper history. This isn't a problem here - without going into spoiler territory - Matt and Mia are layered and have flaws and rough histories. This elevates it to another level, and I am glad Jan chose to focus on a smaller cast; great choice!

If you are after a frenetic and thrilling horror read, I highly recommending reading The Devil in Mia!
Profile Image for Uilleam Whitedale.
Author 14 books17 followers
November 22, 2025
THE DEVIL IN MIA is a must read.

Miklaszewicz has an uncanny knack for drawing the reader in by portraying people's shortcomings and selfishness in a way that makes one sympathize with the characters, even when you're not sure you even like them. Though the reader is fully aware of what's coming, this short but slow build, erupts likes a left hook, in way that is impossible to put down. An unsettling mix of vulgarity and sweetness, this story will possess you.

I'd love to hear this one narrated by Malcolm McDowell.
Profile Image for Eva Chatterji.
Author 2 books4 followers
December 10, 2025
We are back in Hartmouth for another adventure by the seaside, as we look into the withering marriage between Matt and Mia, whose lives are turned on their heads - and around, and up walls - by a very real possession. Matt must face his mother-in-law and his disbelieving friends as he battles to save his wife.
This book will leave you with a certain regard for the more mundane things in life - like small, yappy dogs and cat-litter boxes, and with an overwhelming sense of pity for two people whose lives will never be the same again. Read it, if you dare, and I dare you to read it. A brilliantly written and beautifully crafted novella by Jan Miklaszewicz, who deserves the divine compliment of master storyteller. Go to Hartmouth, you will not regret it.
13 reviews6 followers
October 29, 2025
Having read and enjoyed the first book in this collection, I started The Devil In Mia with high hopes for a frightening fest of fear. At the expense of the characters who were put in a hopeless situation, my expectations were met and then exceeded in the most terrifying fashion.
If you are looking for a gritty horror story that takes possession of your attention and tickles your fancy, then this book - and really any tale by this author - is for you.
I can’t wait to read more!
Profile Image for Eamonn Bradley.
Author 3 books39 followers
October 25, 2025
Well Jan does it again. The Hartmouth horrors continue with Matt and Mia on a slow descent into hell.
Written to almost clean perfection, I love the style so much in its clean, sharp and diamond clear delivery that it makes it very hard to put down.
Excellent, my only gripe being I wanted a longer ending, otherwise it was fantastic. Five horrible stars.
Profile Image for Matt Falcon.
Author 1 book9 followers
December 30, 2025
I finished this book in one sitting.

Well… I had dinner in between and brought the kids to bed, but other than that, it was one sitting.

The writing is direct and sometimes foul-mouthed in a singularly humorous and striking manner. The dialogue is crisp, descriptions are clear, and most important of all, the plot will not let you go.

I was truly enraptured from beginning to end, with bursts of laughter in between, mainly at all the new words and sayings I have learned that I will not ever repeat in public, unless I am sure it is absolutely safe.

Marvellous.
Profile Image for Richelle Kimball.
48 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2025
I loved this!! Jan's writing style is like a song with really disturbing lyrics!
Profile Image for Sarah R.  New.
Author 5 books8 followers
October 23, 2025
Thanks to Jan for the ARC.

I physically could not tear myself away from this book. The Devil in Mia follows Mia and Matt, a married couple whose life together takes a terrible, terrible twist. This novella is fantastically written; so disgustingly descriptive and with characters who feel like people you may meet on the street. I loved the domesticity of this horror, and the small town setting really elevated the paranoid feel of unease within the book. I devoured it, and am already desperate for the next Hartmouth Horror.
Profile Image for JR Montarbo.
8 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2025
I had the honor of getting to read an ARC!

"The Devil In Mia" is, well...
it's written deliciously.🫣

—Dynamic characters
—Great dialogue
—Disturbing

Jan has a beautiful way with words and a great sense of humor—
which rounds out his nastiness perfectly!

Thanks, Jan!🙌
Profile Image for Steve Stark.
Author 7 books45 followers
December 30, 2025
A superb second scare-fest from Miklaszewicz. Creepy, unsettling, thrilling, nasty.
And utterly compelling.

As with his first book he’s created a cast of well-drawn, relatable, flawed characters worth caring about, particularly our protagonist who approaches the supernatural situation with the weary, pragmatic attitude of a working-class Brit. Although the dialogue is witty and often humorous, this crucially doesn’t reduce the tension or undermine the horror because you can feel the angst and discomfort the characters are trying to mask through humour. Brilliantly done.
Hollywood take note - this is how you do it right.

TDIM is even more intense than Miklaszewicz’s first novella. Perhaps because the demonic possession can read as an analogy for the real-life horror of seeing a loved one deteriorate through mental illness, drug addiction or terminal sickness. Tragic and disturbing, but as the dread escalated and the insidious entity emerged, I found myself ripping through the pages, unable to put the book down.

I cannot wait to see what other horrors Hartmouth has in store for us.
Profile Image for Corky Farmer.
Author 6 books5 followers
November 21, 2025
The Devil in Mia is the second book in a series, and it brings forth a bounty. If Eyes Wide Open was breakfast, this one is a hearty lunch. Speaking of lunch, you might lose it reading more than one of the horrific scenes. There is a fair amount of humor, although the characters wouldn't agree. Jan's storytelling only seems to get better with each new arrival, and I look forward to whatever he has planned for dinner as the coup de gras to this trio.
Profile Image for H.M..
Author 1 book6 followers
January 14, 2026
Jan Miklaszewicz brings us the sightseer’s horror guide to Hartmouth with the outstanding novella The Devil in Mia, giving us a solid reason not to book a relaxing weekend there. Jan deftly sets the tone with a prologue that successfully grips hold of you and doesn’t let go until the final page.

TDiM is a relatively short read, but Jan successfully manages to pack a hell of a whack within its constraints. The narrative flows fluently and doesn’t suffer from unnecessary fluff and filler. The dialogue is familiar, concise and possesses fantastic verisimilitude, allowing it to effectively give the story a natural edge which grounds you within the world, and is one of its greatest strengths.

However, all that alone is not enough to make it a good read. Fortunately, TDiM is also a cracking example of how you don’t need 350+ pages to write a shit-hot story. The characters aren’t perfect, by any stretch of imagination. One might even call them normal, and this is what makes Mia and Matt so fascinating to read. They are relatable to the point that they could very well be your next-door-neighbours (good luck).

TDiM begins with a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere, and things certainly don’t get any easier or less so for Mia and Matt. Their story is darkly disturbing, and I lapped up every horrific page of their journey. The chapters are short and punchy and convey no more or less than is required to drive this twisted tale forward to its satisfying conclusion.

At times humorous in its language, terrifying in its manifestation, and delivered with great craftsmanship, The Devil in Mia is a possession not so easily exorcised when you have closed the final chapter. This is an incredibly effective horror, and this sits as a definite must-read for fans of the genre. I can’t wait to see what other horrors Jan brings us from the Devil’s favourite holiday destination. Outstanding!
Profile Image for Huw.
Author 10 books19 followers
October 21, 2025
THE DEVIL IN MIA by Jan Miklaszewicz starts with a snapshot of a mundane slice of life but soon turns very sour as a rot creeps in around the edges. Matt and Mia are an ordinary couple who fall foul of a negative force that starts to tear them apart.

Miklaszewicz keeps the focus tight. The nuance of the interaction between the two main characters is so great, and when Mia starts to descend into a blackness that represents so many things, there's real tragedy in the way Matt tries to hold things together, but with an ever weakening grip, both on the situation, and himself.

Then other characters come in, and with beautifully written dialogue throughout, the story is funny and sardonic, and grotesque. Miklaszewicz is smart in the way he uses rich allegory to shine a light on problems in marital and familial relationships that are prevalent in society.

And it has one of the creepiest prologues I think I've ever read. A cracking novella.
6 reviews
November 1, 2025
*Fair warning- graphic scenes of various nature and a quick descent to them.*

Everyone we love has a part of themselves that they hide from us. We know, and we watch them.
A stolen drink here or there...
A harmless flirtation...
A past that they gloss over ("for our good", of course)...
What happens if we choose to search harder for the answers and get more than we expected?

The Devil in Mia is a rapid-fire answer to what can go wrong when you search in the wrong places. This is the second offering of Hartmouth Horrors that I've read. The characters and dialogue immersed me far more quickly than I had anticipated.

You won't be spoon-fed anything here. But if you are like me, you will eat in one violent and darkly arresting sitting. Who is the villain? Is there one, or many? And more than anything I was left asking... what the HELL is wrong in Hartsmouth?

Eagerly awaiting more offerings. The third can't come quickly enough!
Profile Image for Andrew Lyall.
12 reviews4 followers
October 24, 2025
Another cracker from Miklaszewicz. At this rate the Hartmouth Horror series will become insta-buys for me.

The Devil in Mia has loose connections to Eyes Wide Open but you can comfortably read it in isolation.

It could along at a fair old place and can be consumed (by design, I think) in one frenzied sitting. Or you can just add easily snack on a chapter a night and revel in the irreverence and the horror.

With a slimmed down cast compared to Eyes Wide Open we get to know our characters a little better here and that works in favour of the more personal horrors on offer

I'm a big fan of stripped back prose and that's what's on offer here (perhaps to a fault in some places. The occasional speech tag would have been handy).

Fast, fun and uncompromising. Can't wait for the next one, frankly.
Profile Image for Rod Gilley.
Author 3 books20 followers
January 10, 2026
What a pleasant surprise!
Does Jan Miklaszewicz have what it takes? Is he a true Storyteller? ABSOLUTELY YES!!!
Given the title, and that I'm a huge fan of The Exorcist, I had some expectations. The story was wonderfully different than what I expected.
The story focuses more on Matt, a very likable character. He has his flaws, he is very human, but inside, he is a pretty decent guy. We really get to know him in this pretty short book.
The antagonist is wicked and yet somewhat playful, a heck of a lot of fun to read!
At about 100 pages, the story goes by very quickly. For me, I wish it was a bit longer. I would like to have had more from Mia - to have gotten to know her as well as Matt.
The ending made sense, it was good. I felt it was a bit rushed.
I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this little tale - it really is fun to read!!!!!
Profile Image for Tim McKay.
Author 5 books144 followers
October 15, 2025
Jan does it again.

This was a fun little possession story that packs a big punch. More than a little gross at times too, in all the right ways.

An extra fun read if you've read Eyes Wide Open already as well — independent stories set in the same fictional English town of Hartmouth, but with some fun crossover between them. Makes me very excited for the next instalment in the series.

So yes, brace for horror, and brace for English characters speaking with English accents in a narrative written with UK spelling. If you can't handle that, why in the hey-ho did you pick it up in the first place?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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