Mia: Character Analysis
Quick Facts
Mia, the protagonist of Keep It in the Family, is a London PR professional who relocates to the countryside with her husband, Finn Hunter. Her determination to renovate their new home unearths a series of horrific secrets, leading her on a journey of psychological trauma and resilience. Mia's key relationships include her husband Finn, her antagonistic mother-in-law, Debbie Hunter, and her troubled father-in-law, Dave Hunter.
Who She Is
At the heart of Keep It in the Family is Mia, a woman whose quest for a fresh start unravels into a nightmare. Initially portrayed as a determined and modern woman, Mia's move to the countryside becomes a descent into the dark secrets of the Hunter family. Her journey is marked by infertility struggles, marital strain, and the horrifying discoveries within her new home, transforming her from a hopeful renovator into a traumatized yet resilient investigator.
Personality & Traits
Mia's personality is a complex blend of strength and vulnerability. While she presents a confident exterior, her insecurities and anxieties are gradually revealed as the story progresses. Her determination to uncover the truth clashes with the emotional toll of her discoveries, leading to a profound transformation.
- Determined and Stubborn: Mia possesses a "fiery determination" that drives her to pursue her goals relentlessly. For example, she impulsively bids on a house she's never seen inside, demonstrating her willingness to take risks. This trait also fuels her investigation into the Hunter family's secrets, as she refuses to be dissuaded despite Finn's attempts to dismiss her concerns.
- Anxious and Insecure: Despite her confident exterior, Mia is plagued by deep-seated insecurities. Her nervous habit of rubbing her thumb and index finger together betrays her anxiety. Her struggles with infertility make her feel inadequate, and her past relationship with a cheating celebrity has left her with trust issues that are exacerbated by Finn's lies.
- Investigative and Suspicious: Mia possesses a keen investigative mind and is unwilling to accept things at face value. She is the one who insists on investigating the mysterious message on the skirting board, driving the plot forward. This trait leads her to uncover the dark secrets of the Hunter family, even when Finn tries to discourage her.
- Vulnerable: The traumatic events of the story leave Mia profoundly vulnerable. The discovery of the bodies, her near-fatal fall, Sonny's premature birth, and the subsequent revelations all contribute to her emotional distress. She suffers from PTSD and postnatal depression, feeling disconnected from her son and husband, and is consumed by fear and guilt.
Character Journey
Mia's journey is a harrowing descent into darkness followed by a slow climb back to the light. Initially, she is an ambitious woman focused on building a new life, but the discovery in the attic shatters her world, sending her spiraling into obsession and trauma. As she becomes consumed by the mystery of the house and the Hunter family's secrets, she distances herself from Finn and her role as a new mother. After Dave's suicide and the revelation of Finn's affair, Mia hits rock bottom, but this is also where her true resilience emerges. She separates from Finn, seeks therapy, and slowly rebuilds her life, prioritizing her son and her own well-being. By the end of the novel, she is no longer a victim of the Hunter family's toxicity but a survivor who has reclaimed her independence and strength.
Key Relationships
Finn Hunter: Mia's relationship with Finn is the emotional core of the story, beginning as a passionate marriage but devolving into a union fractured by stress, secrets, and betrayal. Finn's inability to understand the depth of Mia's trauma and his own deceit ultimately make their separation inevitable. Their relationship serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of secrets and the importance of honesty in a marriage.
Debbie Hunter: Debbie serves as Mia's primary antagonist, their relationship defined by mutual animosity and a battle for control over Finn. Mia initially sees Debbie as an overbearing mother-in-law, but eventually uncovers her as a monstrous figure of pure Manipulation and Control. Debbie's manipulative behavior and dark secrets contribute significantly to Mia's psychological distress.
Dave Hunter: Mia's relationship with Dave shifts from indifference to deep suspicion as she uncovers his connection to the house's past. She is the one who uncovers his connection to the house's past, leading to the fatal confrontation where he takes his own life in front of her. This traumatic event leaves a lasting scar on Mia and fuels her determination to uncover the truth.
Sonny Hunter: Mia's bond with her son, Sonny, is complicated by her PTSD and postnatal depression. She feels a profound disconnect and fears she is a bad mother, a guilt that haunts her. Her journey is ultimately about overcoming her trauma to become the parent he needs, highlighting the challenges of motherhood and the importance of seeking help when struggling with mental health issues.
Defining Moments
- Finding the Message: Discovering the words "I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC" carved into the nursery skirting board is the catalyst that transforms Mia's unease about the house into a tangible, terrifying mystery. This moment sets the stage for her investigation and foreshadows the horrors to come.
- The Attic Discovery: The horrifying discovery of the first suitcase containing a child's mummified remains is the story's most traumatic event. This event directly leads to her fall, Sonny's premature birth, and the onset of her PTSD, marking a turning point in her mental and emotional state.
- The Warehouse Confrontation: Following the clues to Dave's secret warehouse, where she finds dozens more suitcases, is the climax of her investigation. Witnessing his violent suicide in this location leaves her with an indelible psychological scar, solidifying the depth of the Hunter family's depravity.
- Discovering Debbie Shook the Ladder: Watching the video from the attic and realizing Debbie intentionally caused her fall is a pivotal moment of clarity for Mia. It confirms that Debbie's malice was not just perceived but real and potentially murderous, revealing the true extent of Debbie's villainy.
- The DNA Test Revelation: Taking the initiative to test Finn's DNA against his parents' is Mia's final investigative act. It uncovers the ultimate secret of the Hunter family and solidifies her decision to break free from them entirely, marking her triumph over the toxic family dynamics.
Essential Quotes
I swear there’s a part of her that shrivels up like a slug doused in salt each time she is reminded that Finn married me.
This quote encapsulates the intense animosity between Mia and Debbie. It highlights Debbie's jealousy and resentment towards Mia, suggesting that Debbie views Mia as an unsuitable partner for her son.
Well I’m glad I’ve got broken bloody ovaries because that means she’ll never get to sink her claws into a grandchild.
This quote reveals Mia's raw emotions and her defensive stance against Debbie. It underscores the tension surrounding Mia's infertility struggles and her fear of Debbie's influence over her future children.
My brain is trapped in a moment it won’t let me leave. I obsess about those children more than I do about my own son. And Finn knows it.
This quote illustrates the profound impact of the attic discovery on Mia's mental state. It highlights her struggle with PTSD and her difficulty bonding with her own son, revealing the depth of her trauma and its effect on her relationships.
This fucking family. You’re as bad as each other. You’re all liars. Did your mum tell you she offered me money to leave you and Sonny behind and start afresh somewhere else?
This quote marks a breaking point in Mia's relationship with Finn and the Hunter family. It exposes the web of lies and deceit that has surrounded her, leading to her decision to break free and reclaim her independence.