Er...
This topic was one of the first queries I had when I signed up to this God forsaken place
Book length - Is this a worrying new trend
Basically, how big it this beast of a book.
I realise things have changed, what with all that new fangled electronic reader stuff but even when I visited my local museum themed book shop, the shelves were straining under the weight of 1000 page books.
Obviously, I can see the advantage of splitting a book, from the extra "filthy lucre" you can earn by selling two books rather than one. Especially with the trend toward trilogies etc..
(which is one of the reasons I never understood why books got so thick before)
However, to address your question.
There shouldn't be any need to recap IMO. I've read many series of books and I would think the following is the case.
You look at a book and then:-
a. You read the blurb on the back (or even the front) - Book three in the Faughtwart series.
Thinks "Oh, so what's the first one called - Ah there it is, best start at the front I always say."
b. You read the blurb…
Thinks “Oh yes, I remember I liked this book. What's number two called. Ah there it….
c. You read the blurb…
Thinks “Mm, looks good, I’ll give it a try and if I like it I’ll read book one (this ones an idiot).
d. You read the blurb…
Thinks. “Stuff that, I can’t be aresed starting a serial, and anyway they don’t have book one”
e. And so on
The point is, the blurb on the back should tell the potential reader that this not the first book and give a brief synopsis of where we left our heor/ine in the last book and that ‘should’ be enough.
If they can’t remember what happened in the last book (having read it) then they probably don’t know what day it is anyway, so let them donate to your favourite charity (you for clarification) and leave them to it.
If they haven’t read and are still considering buying the book, then obviously, they don’t give a damn and let them get on with it. By adding a Tin Tin recap
Dun da dun da dun der dun dun der dahhh der dara dun.
“Faughtwart, having slayed the mighty Glungeglob and sacked the Druid council continues his quest to rescue the fair Princess GawpGiddle. With the help of his friends Gill, Jockstrap, and Gumpty they must descend into the pits and force the mighty magician Bill to give them the secret password.
Now reader, read on…
Lest we forget - and this is devils advocate stuff obviously :-
The other side of the argument is, how many people will you put off buying the second book by you reminding them what a lousey plot it was and who will thank you forbecause they swore they would never read another book you ever write.