Davenport Family books in order

Q: "What is The Rake about?"

"The Rake (originally The Rake and the Reformer) follows a rakish aristocrat and a woman determined to reform him. It won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award."

Q: "Should the Davenport Family books be read in order?"

"The books can be read as standalones. The Diabolical Baron (1987) was Mary Jo Putney's debut novel, and The Rake (1989) shares the same family but tells a complete story on its own."

Q: "Are these books still available?"

"Yes. Both books have been reissued and remain available, though they represent Putney's earliest work before she developed her later, more complex style."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Diabolical Baron	1987	Mary Jo Putney	Buy
2	The Rake	1989	Mary Jo Putney	Buy

The Davenport Family series contains Mary Jo Putney’s earliest Regency romances. The Diabolical Baron (1987) was her debut novel, launching a career that has spanned over forty books.

The Rake (1989, originally titled The Rake and the Reformer) won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, one of the genre’s highest honors. It follows a dissolute aristocrat and the woman determined to save him from himself.

These books represent Putney’s early style before she developed the psychological depth that characterizes her later work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Rake about?

The Rake (originally The Rake and the Reformer) follows a rakish aristocrat and a woman determined to reform him. It won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.

Should the Davenport Family books be read in order?

The books can be read as standalones. The Diabolical Baron (1987) was Mary Jo Putney’s debut novel, and The Rake (1989) shares the same family but tells a complete story on its own.

Are these books still available?

Yes. Both books have been reissued and remain available, though they represent Putney’s earliest work before she developed her later, more complex style.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order