Murder in the Arboretum

Cold Creek Mysteries, Book 2

By: Christa Nardi

Narrated by: Alyssa Baumann

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A dead body shattered the calm of the arboretum.

Another murder in small town Cold Creek has tensions rising. Clive Johnson, the groundskeeper at Cold Creek College, is a convenient scapegoat for a police chief when he has the bad luck of finding the body. Although Clive helps the students on scholarship and claims innocence, he’s not helping himself. Convinced Chief Barney Pfeiffe has it all wrong, Sheridan Hendley sets out to help prove Clive's innocence. Her curiosity and questions place her in danger.

It’s soon obvious not everyone is pleased by her enthusiastic search for the truth. More troubling, it’s not clear who she can trust besides her best friend Kim and Detective Brett McMann. As problems escalate, Brett decides it’s time for self-defense training for the women at the college, especially Sheridan.

This is the second of the Cold Creek Cozy mysteries. Join Sheridan and her friends as they reveal the killer and prove Clive’s innocence.

©2014 Christa Nardi (P)2023 Christa Nardi

Poignant Mystery

I enjoyed book 2 of the "Cold Creek Mysteries" as much as the first one. Sheridan Hendley was drawn into a murder investigation because her students convinced her that the man who found the murdered body could not be the culprit, even though the local sheriff had arrested him. I was entertained by Sheridan and her friends. I liked trying to figure out the mystery by the clues dropped throughout the text. Alyssa Baumann's narration was fine, and she kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Fantastic, Engrossing, and Engaging Mystery

If you find the body, it goes without saying, you’re the guilty party, right? I mean everybody knows that, just ask Chief Pfeiffe! Unless Sheridan Hendley can sift though the lack of evidence, AND dodge the real culprits and their shifty, shady pals, landscaper Clive Johnson will be on a one way train to railroaded! Fast moving, filled with delightful, fully developed characters, and a plot that had me, and HELD me, from beginning to end, “Murder in the Arboretum” is a brilliantly written, and beautifully narrated cozy delight! I loved the smooth flow of the story, and I loved the way the plot developed, how it drew me in and had me wondering how the heck Sheridan was going to resolve this one! All of the characters, both beloved series regulars, and the nefarious making a guest appearance for this story, are extremely well developed, and the surprising twist with one (no spoilers - you’re jaw will drop just like mine did when you get there) really got me! It was so unexpected and … it … was … brilliant! The dialogue is extremely realistic - I feel like an eavesdropper as I listen, like I am overhearing REAL conversations! I also love how after the reveal everything is so nicely wrapped up and explained, with nothing left unanswered! The narration is clear, concise, and consistent, brilliantly bringing the story and characters to life! All of these elements combine to make “Murder in the Arboretum” a five star listen across the board! I loved it!

Great cozy book in a great series

Murder in the Arboretum is the 2nd in the Cold Creek mystery series by Christa Nardi. A body is found in Cold Creek College’s arboretum and one of the groundskeepers is charged with the murder. Professor Sheridan Hendley is sure that Clive is innocent and sets out to prove it. Her search for justice uncovers a lot of wrongdoing, but unfortunately brings her into severe danger. The story is well written and the main characters are relatable and likable. The narration by Alyssa Baumann is wonderful. She brings the characters and story to life.

Outstanding Cozy

Murder in the Arboretum is book 2 in the Cold Creek Mystery by Christa Nardi. I thought that this mystery had many layers with several characters that built and flowed throughout the book. Sheridan does not believe that Clive killed Justin and although the Police Chief is ready to throw Clive under the bus, Sheridan and her friends are working to save him. This series has a wonderful group of core characters with interesting characters specific to the story. Alyssa Baumann gives an enjoyable performance in her narration. This sweet little College has many unsavory things happening, but, it has 1 murder to many!

good story

Sheridan is tasked with helping everyone with another death in cold creek only this time she becomes a target with warnings that shes getting to close. very good book great narration

Great College Cozy Mystery

If you love the episodes of the television series Endeavour, Morse and Inspector Lewis when the murder happens on campus and faculty are involved, this is the series and book for you! Recently produced as an audiobook with excellent narration, author Nardi accurately describes the life of a 40-something professor on a small undergrad college campus as she gets involved in her second campus murder investigation in an academic year. (And I say that as someone who was a 40-something female professor who taught at a small college.) Mystery with a small dash of romance. The plot moves quickly and while there are many characters, Nardi's writing somehow makes it crystal clear who each is. Great book!

Money talks

This one has a lot of meat to it. A lot of substance and suspense and drama. This raised my hackles the more I listened to it. Some very chilling moments that had my stomach tied up in knots. I can't believe how many people got a pass and weren't looked into deeper. The wheels of justice were exceedingly slow. Money, privilege, arrogance and greed interfered with justice , but it did prevail in the end. I was incensed at the way an innocent victim (Sheridan) was almost treated like a criminal. Smh. Excellent mystery I'd recommend. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.

ANOTHER GREAT BOOK

this is another great story from Christa Nardi. Love her murder mysteries. Can't wait to read the next one in the Cold Creek Mysteries series.

Non-Stop Action!

Love this series! The story will draw you in and the characters keep you coming back for more. Also, there is a bit of romance mixed in for good measure.

Excellent Mystery!

This is the second book in the Cold Creek Mystery series and I enjoyed it very much! The narrator, Alyssa Baumann did an excellent job bringing the characters to life & keeping my interest.

Personally, I prefer to not write about the story itself as many do because I don't want to give anything away.

What I will say is that if you're a cozy mystery fan or a fan of books that aren't filled with f bombs & other foul language or sexually explicit descriptions, then you can't go wrong with any book written by Christa Nardi. She is an excellent writer & all her books are very entertaining. I'm already looking forward to the next book! I would like to thank the author, narrator, or publisher for providing me this audiobook at no cost in exchange for my unbiased review & I look forward to listening to more books by both the narrator & the author.