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J.A. Jance Books in Order
Below is the complete list of J.A. Jance books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.
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J.P. Beaumont Series
- Until Proven Guilty (1985)
Buy on Amazon - Injustice For All (1986)
Buy on Amazon - Trial by Fury (1986)
Buy on Amazon - Taking the Fifth (1987)
Buy on Amazon - Improbable Cause (1988)
Buy on Amazon - A More Perfect Union (1988)
Buy on Amazon - Dismissed with Prejudice (1989)
Buy on Amazon - Minor in Possession (1990)
Buy on Amazon - Payment In Kind (1991)
Buy on Amazon - Without Due Process (1992)
Buy on Amazon - Failure to Appear (1993)
Buy on Amazon - Lying in Wait (1994)
Buy on Amazon - Name Withheld (1996)
Buy on Amazon - Breach Of Duty (1999)
Buy on Amazon - Birds of Prey (2001)
Buy on Amazon - Partner in Crime (2002)
Buy on Amazon - Long Time Gone (2005)
Buy on Amazon - Justice Denied (2007)
Buy on Amazon - Fire and Ice (2009)
Buy on Amazon - Betrayal of Trust (2011)
Buy on Amazon - Second Watch (2013)
Buy on Amazon - Ring In the Dead (2013)
Buy on Amazon - Stand Down (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Dance of the Bones (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Still Dead (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Proof of Life (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Sins of the Fathers (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Nothing to Lose (2022)
Buy on Amazon - Girls’ Night Out (2024)
Buy on Amazon - Den of Iniquity (2024)
Buy on Amazon
Joanna Brady Series
- Desert Heat (1993)
Buy on Amazon - Tombstone Courage (1995)
Buy on Amazon - Shoot Don’t Shoot (1995)
Buy on Amazon - Dead to Rights (1997)
Buy on Amazon - Skeleton Canyon (1997)
Buy on Amazon - Rattlesnake Crossing (1998)
Buy on Amazon - Outlaw Mountain (1999)
Buy on Amazon - Devil’s Claw (2001)
Buy on Amazon - Paradise Lost (2001)
Buy on Amazon - Partner in Crime (2002)
Buy on Amazon - Exit Wounds (2003)
Buy on Amazon - Dead Wrong (2006)
Buy on Amazon - Damage Control (2008)
Buy on Amazon - Fire and Ice (2009)
Buy on Amazon - Judgment Call (2012)
Buy on Amazon - The Old Blue Line (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Remains of Innocence (2014)
Buy on Amazon - No Honor Among Thieves (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Random Acts (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Downfall (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Field of Bones (2018)
Buy on Amazon - Missing and Endangered (2021)
Buy on Amazon - Blessing of the Lost Girls (2023)
Buy on Amazon - The Girl from Devil’s Lake (2025)
Buy on Amazon
Ali Reynolds Series
- Edge of Evil (2005)
Buy on Amazon - Web of Evil (2007)
Buy on Amazon - Hand of Evil (2007)
Buy on Amazon - Cruel Intent (2008)
Buy on Amazon - Trial by Fire (2009)
Buy on Amazon - Fatal Error (2011)
Buy on Amazon - Left for Dead (2012)
Buy on Amazon - Deadly Stakes (2013)
Buy on Amazon - Moving Target (2014)
Buy on Amazon - A Last Goodbye (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Cold Betrayal (2015)
Buy on Amazon - No Honor Among Thieves (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Clawback (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Random Acts (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Man Overboard (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Duel to the Death (2018)
Buy on Amazon - The A List (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Taking the Veil (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Credible Threat (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Unfinished Business (2021)
Buy on Amazon - Collateral Damage (2023)
Buy on Amazon - OverKill (2025)
Buy on Amazon
Walker Family Mysteries Series
- Hour of the Hunter (1991)
Buy on Amazon - Kiss of the Bees (1993)
Buy on Amazon - Day of the Dead (2004)
Buy on Amazon - Queen of the Night (2010)
Buy on Amazon - Dance of the Bones (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Blessing of the Lost Girls (2023)
Buy on Amazon
Standalone Novels Series
- After the Fire (1984)
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About J.A. Jance
J. A. Jance is an American author widely known for her long-running mystery and crime fiction series. Over the course of several decades, she has built a large and loyal readership through character-driven detective stories set across the American Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Her novels are particularly recognized for their strong protagonists, layered investigations, and realistic portrayal of law enforcement work.
J. A. Jance was born Judith Ann Jance on July 27, 1944, in South Dakota and grew up in Bisbee, Arizona, a historic mining town that would later inspire the setting for one of her most popular book series. She attended the University of Arizona, where she studied library science. Before becoming a full-time novelist, Jance worked as a librarian and later in the insurance industry while raising her family.
Her path to publication was not immediate. Like many authors, Jance faced numerous rejections early in her writing career. Publishers initially doubted whether readers would be interested in a mystery series centered on a middle-aged police detective. Despite those challenges, Jance continued submitting manuscripts and eventually secured her first publishing contract.
Her debut novel, Until Proven Guilty (1985), introduced readers to Seattle homicide detective J. P. Beaumont. The character quickly became popular with readers, launching the long-running J. P. Beaumont series. Beaumont is portrayed as a complex and evolving character—flawed, determined, and deeply human—whose personal struggles often intersect with the investigations he handles.
Reading J. A. Jance’s books in publication order reveals how the Beaumont character develops over time. The series explores not only criminal cases but also Beaumont’s personal life, relationships, and the changing landscape of law enforcement.
Another major success in Jance’s career is the Joanna Brady series. Set in Cochise County, Arizona, the novels follow Joanna Brady, a woman who becomes sheriff after the death of her husband. The series stands out for its strong female lead and its detailed depiction of life and law enforcement in rural Arizona. Many readers appreciate how Brady’s responsibilities as a mother, public official, and investigator intertwine throughout the books.
Jance later introduced a third major series featuring former television news anchor Ali Reynolds. After a personal and professional crisis, Reynolds returns to her hometown in Arizona and becomes involved in solving crimes and uncovering hidden truths. The Ali Reynolds novels often incorporate modern elements such as technology, cybercrime, and media influence, reflecting contemporary investigative challenges.
A defining feature of Jance’s work is her strong sense of place. Her novels often highlight the landscapes and communities of Arizona and the Pacific Northwest, giving readers a vivid sense of the environments where her characters live and work. The settings are not just backdrops but integral parts of the stories themselves.
Over the years, Jance has written dozens of novels across multiple series, many of which have appeared on bestseller lists. Her ability to maintain several interconnected yet distinct storylines demonstrates both versatility and consistency as a storyteller.
Readers who follow J. A. Jance’s books in publication order can trace the evolution of her writing career as well as the development of her memorable characters. Through the journeys of J. P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, and Ali Reynolds, Jance has created a body of work that blends compelling mysteries with deeply human stories about perseverance, justice, and personal growth.
Series: J.A. Jance