Where to Start with Dolores Stewart Riccio
For readers diving into Dolores Stewart Riccio's magical bibliography, the best place to begin is with her signature series, the Cass Shipton Adventures (also widely known as the Divine Circle series). This series represents the core of her fiction and showcases her unique ability to blend pagan traditions, delicious food, and lighthearted mystery solving. The ideal starting point is the very first novel, Circle of Five (2003). Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended, as the relationships, personal lives, and magical dynamics of the core Wiccan circle evolve significantly from book to book.
If you prefer a shorter commitment or a different flavor of the paranormal, you can start with her duology, the Ghost Who series, which features a completely different cast and a fun, lighthearted supernatural premise. Alternatively, for those who enjoy historical fantasy romance, her standalone debut novel Spirit (2001) offers a rich, atmospheric entry point that highlights her versatility before she transitioned into mystery writing.
The Cass Shipton (Divine Circle) Series in Detail
Set in the historic, coastal town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Cass Shipton Adventures follow a group of five Wiccan women who run local businesses, cook healthy meals, and use their diverse psychic abilities to solve local crimes. Led by Cass Shipton—a herbalist and intuitive—the group includes friends with talents in tarot reading, clairvoyance, and spellcraft. They call themselves the "Divine Circle of Ladies."
As the series progresses, the titles shift to reflect their moniker, starting with simple titles before adopting the "Divine Circle of Ladies" formula. Because the community grows, characters marry, and subplots carry over, you should read these ten novels in their chronological publication order:
- Circle of Five (2003) – Introduces Cass Shipton and her circle of friends as they protect a local teenager and confront a dangerous cult.
- Charmed Circle (2003) – The circle returns to deal with a series of suspicious deaths and local town secrets in Plymouth.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Making Mischief (2005) – The group tackles an arson investigation and a greedy developer threatening their community.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Courting Trouble (2006) – Cass and her friends investigate a missing persons case that leads to darker secrets.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Playing with Fire (2009) – A mysterious death at a local historical reenactment draws the circle into danger.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Rocking the Boat (2009) – Secrets on the high seas and coastal shipping channels threaten the peace of Plymouth.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Tipping the Scales (2010) – The Wiccans balance local political intrigue with a puzzling murder investigation.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Painting the Town (2011) – Artistic rivalries and a murder in the local art scene require psychic sleuthing.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Digging the Dirt (2013) – A historical excavation unearths modern-day motives for murder.
- The Divine Circle of Ladies Burning Their Bridges (2014) – The final installment in the series wraps up the personal journeys of Cass and her beloved circle.
The Ghost Who Series
After establishing her cozy mystery credentials, Riccio launched a second, shorter series centering on Olivia Andreas, a professional organizer whose life is constantly disrupted by stubborn spirits. Set in New England, these books lean heavily into paranormal comedy and light mystery, focusing on how Olivia helps ghosts resolve their unfinished business so they can cross over.
This series consists of two books and should be read in order:
- The Ghost Who Came Home From The Auction (2014) – Olivia accidentally brings home a haunted antique, initiating her into the world of spirit relocation.
- The Ghost Who Walked in the Garden (2016) – Olivia deals with a ghost tied to a historic garden estate, blending botany with paranormal sleuthing.
Standalone Novels
For readers looking for standalone stories that do not require committing to a series, Riccio published two distinct novels that highlight different eras and tones:
- Spirit (2001) – Riccio's debut novel is a unique blend of WWII-era romance, historical mystery, and Celtic mysticism. It follows a psychic medium who forms a deep connection with the spirit of an ancient Druid priest.
- My First Murder (2015) – A darker suspense novel set in New England during the Second World War. The story is told from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl named Amelia Byrd, who stumbles upon a dark conspiracy in her quiet town.
Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, and Poetry
Before finding her footing in cozy fiction, Dolores Stewart Riccio was an accomplished poet and cookbook writer. Much of the culinary passion and herbal lore featured in the Cass Shipton novels stems directly from this period of her life. She wrote her early non-fiction and cookbooks under the name Dolores Riccio, and her poetry under her maiden name, Dolores Stewart. Her notable cookbooks include Superfoods: 300 Recipes for Foods That Heal Body and Mind (1992), which was a major book club selection, and several vegetable-centric recipe collections. While these do not have a narrative order, they offer a wonderful companion experience for fans who want to recreate the healthy, comforting dishes Cass Shipton prepares for her circle.
What to Know Before You Start
Riccio's cozy mysteries are celebrated for their positive, grounded depiction of Wicca and modern paganism. Rather than resorting to spooky stereotypes, her books portray Wicca as a nature-oriented, healing spiritual path focused on community, herbalism, and intuition. Readers should expect a warm, character-driven tone with plenty of descriptions of food, pets, and New England scenery. While there are no major reading order disputes or complex timelines, the clear evolution of the characters' family lives across the ten Cass Shipton books means that skipping around will spoil major romantic and personal developments.