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Cass Shipton #1
Circle Of Five
Now that her children are grown, her loutish ex-husband has left, and her herbal remedy business has taken off, Cass Shipton is free to enjoy her life. But her idyll is broken after she bumps trolleys in a local supermarket with a sinister stranger in a green cap.
296 pages, Trade Paperback
Published March 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Dolores Stewart Riccio
31 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 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 31, 2007
Good, clean, witchy fun... imagine a nice friendly coven of witches in your sleepy Cape Cod (of course) town- they bake, garden, have a book club going, perform rituals and solve murders! Being a Wiccan myself, I am happy to finally find a book that just tells it more or less like it is; no flying lawnmowers, no devil worship (none in the Craft- that's a Christian invention), no nonsense. They stretch a bit with some of the clairvoyance bits, but I'm not willing to rule some of that stuff out either. I even like how these women are all in the *Broom Closet* so to speak- a very unfortunate but big reality for most Pagans. You may learn some things from these ladies...
February 8, 2009
This was an entertaining book, and was fairly suspenseful. I think I would read more in the series. It's not for those who are offended by the Wicca belief system, but I found it interesting.
Just for laughs; there is a character named Q and a character named Tip. I didn't put Q-Tip together until a particularly high action section where the two were involved with each other - then I started laughing. I doubt it was intentional.
As I almost always do, I found a typo in the book. :-)
Just for laughs; there is a character named Q and a character named Tip. I didn't put Q-Tip together until a particularly high action section where the two were involved with each other - then I started laughing. I doubt it was intentional.
As I almost always do, I found a typo in the book. :-)
April 23, 2008
I had heard what Liane was saying about this book, and I had emailed her to inquire what it was about. LOL, this book is absolute adorable, I loved it. There's a little action, but it's not the whole story, which is different for me, and welcomed, I might add. It had a little plot of it's own, and although not at-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting, the story has its own charm. The lives of five, totally different ladies, gathered together, becoming the best of friends (to vent to, or get in trouble with!), lol, the book was great. Not one life is the same, which is great. Each is a character of their own, brightly created and humourous. Can't wait to get my hands on Charmed Circle and see what the five get themselves into!
November 23, 2009
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately that was not the case.
I felt like Riccio was trying too, too, too hard to be "witchy" - just don't know how else to word it. It was like every page screamed out, "Look, look! Look what kind of magic(k), witchy, pagan thing I am doing now!" I don't want that regardless of what religion the characters are.
On the other hand, I was sick when I read the book, and pretty grumpy. I may try to re-read this in the future to see if I feel differently.
I felt like Riccio was trying too, too, too hard to be "witchy" - just don't know how else to word it. It was like every page screamed out, "Look, look! Look what kind of magic(k), witchy, pagan thing I am doing now!" I don't want that regardless of what religion the characters are.
On the other hand, I was sick when I read the book, and pretty grumpy. I may try to re-read this in the future to see if I feel differently.
January 27, 2011
This book is an expanded, older version of Charmed! The Wiccan aspect was very interesting. I loved the seaside New England setting. I liked the underlining friendship, romance and mystery themes. It moved very fast and kept my attention all throughout. I am looking forward to reading the others in the series.
February 29, 2020
The book was ok. I’m very familiar with Plymouth so that part of the book intrigue. But the coven felt out of place. I don’t mind books centered on Wicca but I think the setting is essential. Plymouth being one of the first settlements based on a strict religious belief made it seem unlikely that Wicca would be practiced there. Mystery/thriller part good.
February 22, 2017
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4...
I read this on the strength of some positive reviews but I didn't enjoy it at all. I found the characters annoying & had trouble drumming up any interest in them. Perhaps I was missing something.
I read this on the strength of some positive reviews but I didn't enjoy it at all. I found the characters annoying & had trouble drumming up any interest in them. Perhaps I was missing something.
August 4, 2008
The circle of five strong women make this book and this series one of my favorites. There is mystery, magic, and murder. All good elements for an entertaining read.
February 27, 2012
I really liked this story. It was enjoyable to read about believable women practicing Wicca. I have purchased the next three stories to continue to explore Cass et al's world.
February 13, 2018
I started this book yesterday and even though I had issues with the writing style, it was one of those hard to put down books. For me, the characters were under developed while managing to be over written if that makes any sense! I had a hard time telling them apart for the first half of the book but their actions were so crammed FULL of adjectives on top of adjectives that I took to skimming from time to time. All in all, it had a lot of promise and heart, and I’ll probably continue with the series.
September 19, 2024
Main character-Divorcée, Self-Employed 'Cass Shipton', along w/ her 'Circle' of Friends:
Working Mother, Pro Chef, Trust Fund Diva & Librarian - ages ranging from just starting life to well seasoned w/ experience galore.
They discover magick in the world around them & within.
Sincerely enjoyed this book. Really a smooth read.
This should be picked up by, say Apple+, Hulu, etc.. Better than 'Shining Girls' [I think].
Conclusion:Worth Your Time!!
Working Mother, Pro Chef, Trust Fund Diva & Librarian - ages ranging from just starting life to well seasoned w/ experience galore.
They discover magick in the world around them & within.
Sincerely enjoyed this book. Really a smooth read.
This should be picked up by, say Apple+, Hulu, etc.. Better than 'Shining Girls' [I think].
Conclusion:Worth Your Time!!
March 8, 2025
I am obsessed with these women and their sisterhood. They’re all so quirky and wholesome and they just so happen to be witches too. I eat this series up and I’m planning to read this entire set— I can’t wait to read more.
Although, I did not appreciate that children and dogs are killed. :(
Although, I did not appreciate that children and dogs are killed. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2017
thoroughly enjoyable
September 27, 2017
Just the right mix of witches, family, crime, suspense and romance. Looking forward to continuing the series!
February 15, 2018
Great plot and wonderful characters.
May 31, 2022
Wiccan book if you are into that, probably more for teens/young adults. Did not finish, lost interest.
February 8, 2016
In Plymouth, MA, five women friends have found that they have a lot in common, especially their practice of Wicca and celebration of pagan holidays. Cassandra, Fiona, Heather, Phillipa and Diedre all have their specialties, including tarot reading, herbs and lotions, and the five women have formed a close knit group of support. Cass often has visions and one afternoon at the grocery store she bumps into a stranger and immediately senses that he is a dangerous man who preys on young boys. The women decide to take on the investigation on their own since they know the police will not act on Cass' vision. Once the killer becomes aware that the women are on his trail he ramps up his violent tendencies, vowing to destroy the circle of five and everything that they love.
This was a fairly good story with likeable characters. There really wasn't any mystery since the women immediately focused on the murderer and his identity was never in doubt. The story was suspenseful and had a nice, satisfying ending. I don't think I liked it enough to continue with the series, but it wasn't bad.
This was a fairly good story with likeable characters. There really wasn't any mystery since the women immediately focused on the murderer and his identity was never in doubt. The story was suspenseful and had a nice, satisfying ending. I don't think I liked it enough to continue with the series, but it wasn't bad.
January 27, 2009
I enjoyed this book. It is chick-lit, defnitely, with mostly female characters, mostly single, practicing Wicca together. It is all about the girl power, without resorting to man-bashing. Over the course of the story, the married character's marriage is strengthened and the three divorced women of the group all find new love. The happily single aging widow, gets a pregnant niece to take care of (who really takes care of her) and keep her company. They put a bad guy away and enrich their lives with new friends and loves. They struggle with each other in their differences, but always come together when one is in need and end up all the closer for it.
It is a fast, light read. Not life changing, enduring, classic literature. But, it is entertaining, engrossing and uplifting.
It is a fast, light read. Not life changing, enduring, classic literature. But, it is entertaining, engrossing and uplifting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2010
Dolores’s characters are so 'real' and familiar I felt like I was a part of their adventure, sitting in the background and watching it all unfold.
Once in a while you are fortunate enough to happen across and Author that when you read their book you are able to see and feel what the author is describing.
When I read this book I could not put it down, it was as if I saw it all in my mind, Cassandra’s kitchen, the woods, all the ladies of the circle, as if I were right there.
I looked forward to and read the second book: Charmed Circle.
Once in a while you are fortunate enough to happen across and Author that when you read their book you are able to see and feel what the author is describing.
When I read this book I could not put it down, it was as if I saw it all in my mind, Cassandra’s kitchen, the woods, all the ladies of the circle, as if I were right there.
I looked forward to and read the second book: Charmed Circle.
February 26, 2012
I enjoyed this book, but it was a bit schizophrenic. You've got a group of mostly middle aged women practicing Wicca. The story centered around them is kind of fun, sometimes lighthearted and a little goofy. But they're also trying to nab a serial child killer. I enjoy both genres, but I wouldn't say this book does the best job of mashing up the two. I would give this author another shot, but I thought this story was kind of disjointed.
September 6, 2012
This was a fun witchy read. The coven of witches were all normal, everyday women with normal problems and issues. There is a element to the book re the subject matter of the evil as to child murderers/pedophiles that might be disconcerting to someone, but no real details emerge regarding these events. Of course, this is the first book in a series, so I suspect that future volumes have these witchy women solving all kinds of crimes, along with helping each other with their personal lives.
April 10, 2012
I read this book on the suggestion of a friend and co-worker. I really enjoyed the book - it was easy to "get in to" and very hard to put down. I guess I'm hooked - because now I'm looking for the next in the series. Cass Shipton is a character that I related to easily.
The story had a little bit of everything and even kept me on the edge of my seat at one point.
The story had a little bit of everything and even kept me on the edge of my seat at one point.
July 16, 2010
I'm not sure I liked the writing style in this book. There were times when I found it hard to follow. But the story held my interest and I didn't want to put it down, so that is definitely a plus. Overall a fun light read. Great for a summer read.
August 25, 2011
Recommended by mom; I really liked the characters, but the middle dragged with too much unnecessary detail. The ending wrapped up the story nicely and I imagine the other books in the series will explore the remaining female characters.
December 22, 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
Read
January 20, 2015I loved the book! The author has taken quite a different spin on a "magical" fiction. You will love the characters, especially Scruffy, the dog. If you like a mystery with a little magic thrown in, this is the book for you.
February 28, 2013
i do not like mysteries with hints of such bloody violence. Nor do I care for books that portray witches as those who cause harm to others. The Witches Rede (the word we live by!) is:
"An ye harm none, do as ye will".
"An ye harm none, do as ye will".
August 27, 2007
Loved it! Couldn't put it down. If you're into Wicca, crime solving mysteries this one's for you.
May 13, 2008
A good book if you are interested in wiccan practices. Intertaining
July 12, 2009
Read this back when we were in Montana and enjoyed the friendship/mystery very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews