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Cass Shipton #5
The Divine Circle of Ladies Playing with Fire
They're back...and they're playing with fire! In this 5th episode of Riccio's wickedly entertaining Circle series, Cass Shipton and her bewitching friends return for more crime-solving escapades in historic Plymouth, Massachusetts. When Fresh Meadow stable is set ablaze one frosty January night, clairvoyant Cass has the vivid impression of a serial arsonist in their midst. Ever willing to "walk on the wild side," Cass and her talented Wiccan circle make it their quest to reveal the identity of this clever fire-starter. Can they bring him to justice before more animals and humans are harmed? But that's not all! In a riveting personal drama, how will they protect their new young friend Sylvie from her abusive stalker? All of the Circle's resourcefulness, courage, and magical skills will be needed to cope with the danger and tragedy of this fast-paced adventure.
377 pages, Trade Paperback
First published June 23, 2009
3 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Dolores Stewart Riccio
28 books67 followersAKA Dolores Riccio
AKA Dolores Stewart
Dolores Stewart Riccio was born in Boston and grew up in Pembroke, a small New England town on the South Shore of Massachusetts. She lived in Duxbury which is located near the town of Plymouth, the setting for her Circle novels.
Dolores wrote: "As a poet, I'd always signed my maiden name, Dolores Stewart. For cookbooks, I preferred my married name, Dolores Riccio; after all, it was my loyal husband who got to try all those experimental dishes. Not wanting to abandon either chapter of my past, I'm using both names for fiction."
She began her writing career as a poet (Dolores Stewart), and continued to write poems between other writing projects.
In the '80s, she began to write cookbooks (Dolores Riccio) with a health theme, of which Superfoods for Time-Warner is the best known. The success of Superfoods gave her the encouragement to "quit her daytime job" as a greeting card editorial director and enjoy the precarious profession of full-time freelance writer.
In the meantime, she also co-authored two volumes of stories about famous haunted houses in the United States--Haunted Houses U.S.A. and More Haunted Houses.
Sometime in the 1990s, she threw out her food files and her ghost files, and turned at last to fiction.
AKA Dolores Stewart
Dolores Stewart Riccio was born in Boston and grew up in Pembroke, a small New England town on the South Shore of Massachusetts. She lived in Duxbury which is located near the town of Plymouth, the setting for her Circle novels.
Dolores wrote: "As a poet, I'd always signed my maiden name, Dolores Stewart. For cookbooks, I preferred my married name, Dolores Riccio; after all, it was my loyal husband who got to try all those experimental dishes. Not wanting to abandon either chapter of my past, I'm using both names for fiction."
She began her writing career as a poet (Dolores Stewart), and continued to write poems between other writing projects.
In the '80s, she began to write cookbooks (Dolores Riccio) with a health theme, of which Superfoods for Time-Warner is the best known. The success of Superfoods gave her the encouragement to "quit her daytime job" as a greeting card editorial director and enjoy the precarious profession of full-time freelance writer.
In the meantime, she also co-authored two volumes of stories about famous haunted houses in the United States--Haunted Houses U.S.A. and More Haunted Houses.
Sometime in the 1990s, she threw out her food files and her ghost files, and turned at last to fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 14, 2009
This was definitely the best of the series! I am saddened that Riccio's publisher dropped her and she had to go the self-publishing route, but I am glad she is still writing! This book was so jam-packed with twists and turns and character development... it left me feeling inspired! What an awesome feeling it is to read about down to earth, REAL Wiccans living a real life (even if the magic part of the books are a bit embellished ;))!
December 13, 2017
So far, this one was my favorite of the series.
December 26, 2019
It's always such a treat to read the continuing mystical adventures of Case Shipton et al.
Although the earlier books were ( unfortunately ) leaning towards 'a woman needs a man by her side ' thinking, this one shreds that somewhat.
***SPOILER**** One of the husbands dies. The 'Ladies' rally 'round their newly widowed friend.
I think this may be Ms. Ricco's illustrating that w/ good friends & a good head on your shoulders a woman can manage [ w/o a hubby] quite nicely thank you. Plus...there is grieving, but not overly done ****SPOILER***, since the husband was duly warned about their condition.
Would have enjoyed a more magick. Always look forward to reading..'The Ladies'.....good stuff!
Although the earlier books were ( unfortunately ) leaning towards 'a woman needs a man by her side ' thinking, this one shreds that somewhat.
***SPOILER**** One of the husbands dies. The 'Ladies' rally 'round their newly widowed friend.
I think this may be Ms. Ricco's illustrating that w/ good friends & a good head on your shoulders a woman can manage [ w/o a hubby] quite nicely thank you. Plus...there is grieving, but not overly done ****SPOILER***, since the husband was duly warned about their condition.
Would have enjoyed a more magick. Always look forward to reading..'The Ladies'.....good stuff!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
Loved all tgese books
April 12, 2012
Fifth in a series featuring Cassandra Shipton and four of her friends who loosely form a Wiccan coven and get up to all sorts of adventures in Plymouth, Massachussetts. In this book, an arsonist is setting fires where animals are present--a stable, an animal shelter, etc.--and Heather, the rampant animal rights activist among them is on the brink of getting out her black candles if the firebug isn't found. Cass has some visions/dreams of the arsonist but not clear enough to narrow it down to one person, so the women set out to mundanely investigate two men whom Cass thinks are definite possibilities. When one of the circle members' husbands dies as a result of another fire, their mission turns hugely personal.
I love this series and was dismayed when the author lost her publisher (I think that was the reason it stopped) after the first four books. I thought it was over. After an absence of several years, lo and behold, early last year I discovered that there were now three more, and another published since. I was ecstatic! Except that I was early on in my year-long "book buying ban" of 2011, so I had to wait til this year to buy this book--and it was the first one I purchased, too!
These women--quite different in age, personality, the type of life they have, etc--have become my friends and it was wonderful to visit with them again, despite the pall of tragedy hanging over them. These are the most accurately depicted "real life Wiccan/Pagan" books I've read, not treating it as a 'paranormal' that also includes vampires or faeries and the ability of witches to twitch ones nose and have stuff happen. LOL Anyway, welcome back Cass, Fiona, Heather, Deirdre and Phillipa and their extended families.
I love this series and was dismayed when the author lost her publisher (I think that was the reason it stopped) after the first four books. I thought it was over. After an absence of several years, lo and behold, early last year I discovered that there were now three more, and another published since. I was ecstatic! Except that I was early on in my year-long "book buying ban" of 2011, so I had to wait til this year to buy this book--and it was the first one I purchased, too!
These women--quite different in age, personality, the type of life they have, etc--have become my friends and it was wonderful to visit with them again, despite the pall of tragedy hanging over them. These are the most accurately depicted "real life Wiccan/Pagan" books I've read, not treating it as a 'paranormal' that also includes vampires or faeries and the ability of witches to twitch ones nose and have stuff happen. LOL Anyway, welcome back Cass, Fiona, Heather, Deirdre and Phillipa and their extended families.
March 19, 2014
I think this series may turn into a guilty pleasure. Not quite a cozy and with too much conveniently working magic...sort of a fantasy/cozy mystery crossover. Lots of tea, books and shawls, lots of inexplicably dangerous people causing sudden crimes in a backwater town, ladies of a certain age solving mysteries despite their partners' objections to the danger. A certain Alice Hoffman Practical Magic-esque tone. I admit I like the chapter heading quotes and may note them in my quotation book.
January 23, 2012
I have read all of the Divine Circle of Ladies books, and enjoy each one more than the last. I re-read them every year in the dead of winter, because the characters are wonderful, inspiring cold weather companions.
Just choose one, and dive in, I am sure you won't be disappointed in Ms. Riccio's writing, she is amazing.
Blessed Be
Just choose one, and dive in, I am sure you won't be disappointed in Ms. Riccio's writing, she is amazing.
Blessed Be
June 15, 2012
Still loving the characters of the Cass Shipton series. This one has them battling evil again -
keeping up with the ups and downs of life and dealing with changes - the extended families of the characters add to the stories without taking away from the leads. Makes for interesting reading - keeps me on my toes and yet entertains me at the same time. Ms. Riccio - please write more.
keeping up with the ups and downs of life and dealing with changes - the extended families of the characters add to the stories without taking away from the leads. Makes for interesting reading - keeps me on my toes and yet entertains me at the same time. Ms. Riccio - please write more.
March 9, 2013
Love these books. Wish I didn't have to nag the public library to get them in. When I first moved here, they carried them. Anyway, the characters are well-developed,the mysteries are riveting, and there is plenty of action and suspense. It's nice to have Wiccan's who are older and knowledgeable. I can't wait to get into the next one.
June 12, 2015
Lovely visit with old friends
I read the previous Circle books some time ago & this book was as lovely as a visit with old & dear friends. Ms. Riccio's books are always difficult to put down. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in this fantastic series the minute I finish this review. Thanks again, Ms Riccio, for a great & highly entertaining read!
I read the previous Circle books some time ago & this book was as lovely as a visit with old & dear friends. Ms. Riccio's books are always difficult to put down. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in this fantastic series the minute I finish this review. Thanks again, Ms Riccio, for a great & highly entertaining read!
December 7, 2016
If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
February 12, 2010
I loved the first four books. The ladies in there became my best friends. In this installment I felt like she just destroyed them.
September 8, 2010
I love this series and don't understand why she doesn't have
a publisher.
a publisher.
September 24, 2012
This series is so fun and so charming...I can't wait to read the next three.
January 8, 2013
I plowed through this one! A lot going on in this installment. Always a joy to read Ms. Riccio's books
May 23, 2013
I liked the way she intertwines a couple of different story lines and brings them all together at
the end.
the end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews