Struggling Writers discussion

Had some comments on the sequel to my first book. It's pretty hard to read without having read the first and of course there are references to an already complex plot. I fill in the back story where appropriate but of course the time lapse for readers between volumes means they have mostly forgotten the original story

So what would you advise - should I add an introduction giving a brief precis of the story so far? I'm writing part three and again feel I need to write an Intro to help remind previous readers and get new readers up to speed.

I try to craft each installment of a series as standalone stories, with minor references at most to the preceding stories.

It's easier than a lengthy What-Has-Gone-Before and tends to not irritate those readers who do either remember the beginning of go back to reread it.

Nooooooo don't do that. The sequels should he standalone but reference enough of the previous so that you know it's a sequel but not missing too much if you read out of order...

Thanks for the comments - appreciate the need to be as standalone as possible. Of course once I have finished Part 3 - if it ends then, I could always publish as a set.

As long as readers don't mind some explanation paragraphs or sentences which I did build in to part 2 then I can do the same with part 3 - and I have been doing so.

I can always use my web site and blog to add more detail in the book descriptions.