Does Sue Grafton books have to be read in order?

While the Kinsey Millhone mysteries generally follow a chronological order in terms of Kinsey's life and experiences, each book generally presents a standalone mystery that can be read and enjoyed on its own.

While readers will gain a deeper understanding of Kinsey's character and relationships by reading the books in order, it's not absolutely necessary to do so in order to follow individual mysteries or storylines within each novel.

That being said, some readers prefer to enjoy the books in the intended sequence for a fuller appreciation of Kinsey's character growth and development throughout the series. If your primary objective is to experience Grafton's writing style and her ability to craft mysteries, you can feel comfortable jumping into any Kinsey Millhone book that catches your interest without feeling lost.