Do you need to read the witching hour before merrick?

While it's not strictly necessary to read "The Witching Hour" before "Merrick," doing so can enhance your understanding of the characters and the overarching storyline. "Merrick" is part of Anne Rice's Lives of the Mayfair Witches series and is connected to "The Witching Hour," which introduces key characters and themes. Reading them in order provides a richer context and deeper appreciation of the narrative.