Weeping

Fritillary Quilter #1

by Shelly Reuben, Anna Fields (Narrator)

"Weeping" is an arson investigator's terms, and also the state that befalls the grief-stricken survivors of a fire.  So it's with a raised eyebrow and incipient suspicion that New York claims representative Fritillary Quilter encounters cool, calculating, and unemotional Faith Browning, whose sister Dorsey has just burned to death in their family home. 
 

When Faith puts in a claim without first giving the insurance company a chance to conduct a fire investigation, Tilly is teamed with arson pro Isaac "Ike" Blessing.  Tilly and Ike must sift through the ashes to find the truth.
 

Written by a real-life private eye and fire investigator, Weeping is fueled by technical authority, lively characters, and stylish prose.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime, Mystery, Fiction

MP3 CD

First published February 12, 2004

About the author

Shelly Reuben's first novel, Julian Solo, was nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for an Edgar Award and by the Libertarian Futurist Society for a Prometheus. Her crime novel, Origin and Cause, was nominated by the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan for a Falcon; and her adult fable, The Man with the Glass Heart, was a Freedom Book Club selection. Her fiction has been published by Scribner, Harper, Harcourt, and is also available through Blackstone Audio Books.

Her new book, Dabbling in Crime, November 2016, is a collection of short fiction originally published in The Forensic Examiner and The Evening Sun.

Shelly Reuben is a licensed private detective, and the years that she spend investigating fire and arson inspired many of her stories and books.

Reviews

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Weeping" is a peculiar novel, part murder mystery, part fire investigation manual, but mostly a, first person, let-me-tell-about-what-I-love-and-why, from a personable young woman, called Fritillary Quilter (named after a butterfly) who goes from accidental arsonist at the age of eleven to fire investigator in her twenties and wants to share with you exactly why that happened, how she feels about it, what makes it exciting and how it's all odd but true.

Sorry for the long sentence but the book feels like one.

I thought "Weeping" was quiet fun, mainly because I like Fritillary (or Tilly for short) and found her enthusiasm for, well... almost everything, infectious.

The plot is respectably complex. The details on fire detection are an (entertaining) education but the success of the book lies on whether or not you like Fritillary. This is the story of who she is. The rest is incidental.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of young girl that grows up be an insurance claims adjuster specializing in fire claims.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel focuses on Fritillary Quilter (aka. Tilly) the MC's journey to becoming a fire investigator. When she was a little girl she found herself in an accidental fire which somehow gave her the impetus to investigate arson in particular and she had a passion for it. Tilly's character is really about the only or main thing that held my interest. When she begins working with fire investigator Ike, they find themselves on a case hunting what appears to be a serial arsonist. There was some humor and a touch of romance to break up the drama but it wasn't enough for me to give this book a higher rating.

[Heli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was surely entertaining. I liked the main character Fritillary, or Tilly for short. She's young and enthusiastic, working as a claims representative for an insurance company. She especially likes to investigate fires. Her facination stems from accidentally starting a fire when she was a teenager and consequently meeting the fire and arson investigator Ike. Now they invesigate a fire that caused a woman's death. I liked Tilly, she's a fun character. The mystery was okay, but I never got too invested in it because I guessed what had happened almost right away. I also felt the descriptions were too detailed and repetitive. I really liked the humor, though.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book, a little too long and filliri says too many dumb things.

[Margaret Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeping is a novel about Fritillary Quilter, an endearing character who captivates readers with her exuberance, her interest in investigation, and her passion for work. Caught in an accidental fire as a young girl, she encounters Ike Blessing, fire investigator, who quickly becomes her hero. Time passes, Tilly grows up, starts to work in insurance, and their paths once again cross. As soon as Tilly starts to work with Ike, she becomes the Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. Ike teaches her how to investigate a fire, and together, they solve a terrible crime and catch a clever arsonist. This is a terrific read filled with lighthearted humor, mystery, and romance.

[Margaret Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeping is a novel about Fritillary Quilter, an endearing character who captivates readers with her exuberance, her interest in investigation, and her passion for work. Caught in an accidental fire as a young girl, she encounters Ike Blessing, fire investigator, who quickly becomes her hero. Time passes, Tilly grows up, starts to work in insurance, and their paths once again cross. As soon as Tilly starts to work with Ike, she becomes the Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. Ike teaches her how to investigate a fire, and together, they solve a terrible crime and catch a clever arsonist. This is a terrific read filled with lighthearted humor, mystery, and romance.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeping is a novel about Fritillary Quilter, an endearing character who captivates readers with her exuberance, her interest in investigation, and her passion for work. Caught in an accidental fire as a young girl, she encounters Ike Blessing, fire investigator, who quickly becomes her hero. Time passes, Tilly grows up, starts to work in insurance, and their paths once again cross. As soon as Tilly starts to work with Ike, she becomes the Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. Ike teaches her how to investigate a fire, and together, they solve a terrible crime and catch a clever arsonist. This is a terrific read filled with lighthearted humor, mystery, and romance.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeping is a novel about Fritillary Quilter, an endearing character who captivates readers with her exuberance, her interest in investigation, and her passion for work. Caught in an accidental fire as a young girl, she encounters Ike Blessing, fire investigator, who quickly becomes her hero. Time passes, Tilly grows up, starts to work in insurance, and their paths once again cross. As soon as Tilly starts to work with Ike, she becomes the Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. Ike teaches her how to investigate a fire, and together, they solve a terrible crime and catch a clever arsonist. This is a terrific read filled with lighthearted humor, mystery, and romance.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeping is a novel about Fritillary Quilter, an endearing character who captivates readers with her exuberance, her interest in investigation, and her passion for work. Caught in an accidental fire as a young girl, she encounters Ike Blessing, fire investigator, who quickly becomes her hero. Time passes, Tilly grows up, starts to work in insurance, and their paths once again cross. As soon as Tilly starts to work with Ike, she becomes the Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. Ike teaches her how to investigate a fire, and together, they solve a terrible crime and catch a clever arsonist. This is a terrific read filled with lighthearted humor, mystery, and romance.

[Candace Klenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Shelly Reuben book that I have read, and I definately enjoyed it! It was an easy read, easy to understand.

The first murder mystery that I've ever read that dealt with fire investigation. The author managed to convey some of the "technical" info but make it easily understandable to me (whose never investigated a fire, or ever intends to :D)

I would DEFINATELY read another book by this author :D

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant at first because the book spends at least the first seven chapters going over the life of the protagonist.

I ultimately came to decide however that she represents a charming new voice that was delightful and amusing to listen to.

Her partner or soon to be partner is a fascinating guy and they're interesting to watch interacting. I gave the Book a four because I enjoyed it but also because I'd like to see this voice develop further

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow going story that needs a bang or two to spice it up. Solid detective work between Tilly and Ike creating a good team. This book has a similiar feel as the Barbara Holloway books by Kate Wilhelm.

[P.J. Coldren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've liked everything I've read by Shelly Reuben, and this is no exception. Her characters are wonderful, and her books contain a wealth of information delivered subtly.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice surprise - very easy to read and interesting...

[Mary Newcomb]

I learned more about fire investigations than I had ever dreamed possible. And I really like Fritillary Quilter. She is quite the investigator.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook that was good listening while doing a puzzle!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get to the "mystery" part. Well written, good story.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Fritillary she is a fun character. The plot was interesting and fun to listen to.

[Gene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Drivel.