Claire
Claire asked Rachel Abbott:

Does it matter what order you read your books in?? Can I start at 'stranger child'?

Rachel Abbott Hi Claire - I'm so sorry if I haven't answered this! I didn't receive any notification that your question was waiting for a response, so I really haven't been ignoring you!
Each story is entirely standalone, but the character of Tom Douglas does run through the whole series. There are bits in each story about his life, but nothing that would require you to have read previous books.
So please feel free to read them in any order you like. Many people do.
Once again, my apologies.
Rachel

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