the misstery diaries #21

A wintery thriller and a spring romcom, plus a recent spy film

Welcome to the misstery diaries. Here, you'll discover a selection of my latest reads (both old and new), along with the films and shows I've recently watched. I hope these recommendations prove useful and that you find something that catches your eye!

Hi, fellow readers! 💌 Hope April’s being kind to you. Some holiday days are coming up soon, so more free time for the things I love. What about you? What are your favorite spring activities? And what are you reading or watching these days?

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What I read 📖

• The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This definitely wasn’t the ideal book to kick off spring, but by the time I realized that, I was already too invested. Told from three different perspectives, this is the story of a true crime writer who receives a visit from a young boy trapped in a snowstorm, the murder of a family and the disappearance of the older brother and the sister's best friend, and the tale of a young girl and her mother, both suffering abuse at the hands of the father. Of course, all these storylines eventually connect, but you’ll need to read on to find out how.

At first, I was a little confused by the shifting timelines and characters, but slowly I got drawn into the atmospheric, snow-covered setting. The Overnight Guest is a suspenseful psychological thriller with just the right touch of police procedural, and I really enjoyed it. While the outcome wasn’t terribly shocking and I had some reservations about the villain’s motivations, I found it to be a solid winter thriller. All three perspectives were equally captivating, making this a gripping read until the very end.

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• Funny Story by Emily Henry ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In keeping with a more spring-like vibe, I decided to dive into a romcom by Emily Henry, knowing it would be a light, breezy read that would keep me entertained. Funny Story follows Daphne, a thirty-something woman whose fiancé leaves her for his best friend, Petra. Daphne ends up sharing an apartment with Miles, Petra’s ex-boyfriend. The premise has that classic 2000s romcom feel, the kind we all secretly (or not so secretly) adore.

I'm usually more of an enemies-to-lovers fan, but let me tell you, I absolutely loved the relationship between Daphne and Miles. It’s all thanks to Miles, who’s just such a wonderful, kind, and genuinely amazing person. The book is fun, emotionally moving at times, and just beautiful overall. What I really appreciated was how Emily Henry didn’t just focus on the romance; she took the time to develop all the main characters. We get to explore Daphne's complicated relationship with her father, her friendship with Ashleigh, and even delve into Miles and his sister’s family dynamics. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the book was maybe just a tad too long for the kind of story it tells, but honestly, I loved the ending and had a fantastic time reading it.

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What I watched 📺

• The White Lotus (s03)

A lot of people seem underwhelmed by this season, but I found it just as captivating as the previous ones. Chelsea absolutely stole the show for me, Parker Posey was phenomenal, and I truly hope she sweeps every award. While the big “action” moment at the end didn’t quite land for me, I really loved how the arc with the three friends wrapped up, and the ending of Piper’s storyline, in particular, was so much fun to watch.

• The Marlow Murder Club (s02)

This is the perfect cozy, breezy British series for fans of classic whodunnits. Set in a picturesque town, it follows three friends who team up with the police to solve murders—each case more layered than it first appears. My favorite was the first episode, set at a wedding. It had that classic locked-room mystery vibe that I adore.

• Black Bag (2025)

A sleek and modern spy thriller that stands out by focusing more on intrigue through dialogue than flashy action. At the heart of the story is a power couple: two spies willing to risk everything to protect each other. It’s a short and enjoyable watch, with a strong final act that really pulls everything together. Some parts can be a bit tricky to follow, but overall, it’s a clever and refreshing take on the genre.

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What I’m loving 💗

• The trailer for the new Mission Impossible it out. My favorite film saga!

• Leiva’s album Gigante. I’ve had it on repeat lately.

• Slowly making my way through the new Black Mirror season… and it’s off to a strong start!

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What about you? What are you reading and watching? Any recent loves?