An interactive murder mystery fundraiser takes place at five o’clock tonight at the Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The money raised will go towards the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens as well as the Center for Arts and Artists in Newton. The Executive Director of the Center for Arts and Artists, Sophie Kruger, is the brainchild of the “Death By Chocolate” fundraiser.

“Rather than being like a play at the theater where you watch everything unfold, we ask our participants to talk with other guests and our 14 suspects. Ask them questions to figure out the murder mystery themselves instead of having it unfold in front of them.” 

Kruger got this idea from her October birthday parties.

“Starting about the third grade, my mom hosted a murder mystery party for me for my birthday until about 2020 or 2021. Now that I have settled into my Director role, I thought why don’t we do a murder mystery because I loved them so much when I was younger, and it’s time to do something big and fun for the community.”

Tickets for the fundraiser cost $36.50 and include chocolate desserts and drinks, including wine samples. If tickets are still available, they can be purchased at the door. The Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located at 3030 North 4th Avenue East in Newton.