Below is the complete list of J.A. Jance books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.
J.P. Beaumont Books in Publication Order
- Until Proven Guilty (1985)
View Book - Injustice For All (1986)
View Book - Trial by Fury (1986)
View Book - Taking the Fifth (1987)
View Book - Improbable Cause (1988)
View Book - A More Perfect Union (1988)
View Book - Dismissed with Prejudice (1989)
View Book - Minor in Possession (1990)
View Book - Payment In Kind (1991)
View Book - Without Due Process (1992)
View Book - Failure to Appear (1993)
View Book - Lying in Wait (1994)
View Book - Name Withheld (1996)
View Book - Breach Of Duty (1999)
View Book - Birds of Prey (2001)
View Book - Partner in Crime (2002)
View Book - Long Time Gone (2005)
View Book - Justice Denied (2007)
View Book - Fire and Ice (2009)
View Book - Betrayal of Trust (2011)
View Book - Second Watch (2013)
View Book - Ring In the Dead (2013)
View Book - Stand Down (2015)
View Book - Dance of the Bones (2015)
View Book - Still Dead (2017)
View Book - Proof of Life (2017)
View Book - Sins of the Fathers (2019)
View Book - Nothing to Lose (2022)
View Book - Girls’ Night Out (2024)
View Book - Den of Iniquity (2024)
View Book - The Taken Ones (2026)
View Book
Joanna Brady Books in Publication Order
- Desert Heat (1993)
View Book - Tombstone Courage (1995)
View Book - Shoot Don’t Shoot (1995)
View Book - Dead to Rights (1997)
View Book - Skeleton Canyon (1997)
View Book - Rattlesnake Crossing (1998)
View Book - Outlaw Mountain (1999)
View Book - Devil’s Claw (2001)
View Book - Paradise Lost (2001)
View Book - Partner in Crime (2002)
View Book - Exit Wounds (2003)
View Book - Dead Wrong (2006)
View Book - Damage Control (2008)
View Book - Fire and Ice (2009)
View Book - Judgment Call (2012)
View Book - The Old Blue Line (2014)
View Book - Remains of Innocence (2014)
View Book - No Honor Among Thieves (2015)
View Book - Random Acts (2016)
View Book - Downfall (2016)
View Book - Field of Bones (2018)
View Book - Missing and Endangered (2021)
View Book - Blessing of the Lost Girls (2023)
View Book - The Girl from Devil’s Lake (2025)
View Book
Ali Reynolds Books in Publication Order
- Edge of Evil (2005)
View Book - Web of Evil (2007)
View Book - Hand of Evil (2007)
View Book - Cruel Intent (2008)
View Book - Trial by Fire (2009)
View Book - Fatal Error (2011)
View Book - Left for Dead (2012)
View Book - Deadly Stakes (2013)
View Book - Moving Target (2014)
View Book - A Last Goodbye (2014)
View Book - Cold Betrayal (2015)
View Book - No Honor Among Thieves (2015)
View Book - Clawback (2016)
View Book - Random Acts (2016)
View Book - Man Overboard (2017)
View Book - Duel to the Death (2018)
View Book - The A List (2019)
View Book - Taking the Veil (2019)
(With Eric Van Lustbader)
View Book - Credible Threat (2020)
View Book - Unfinished Business (2021)
View Book - Collateral Damage (2023)
View Book - OverKill (2025)
View Book
Walker Family Mysteries Books in Publication Order
- Hour of the Hunter (1991)
View Book - Kiss of the Bees (1993)
View Book - Day of the Dead (2004)
View Book - Queen of the Night (2010)
View Book - Dance of the Bones (2015)
View Book - Blessing of the Lost Girls (2023)
View Book
Standalone Novels Books in Publication Order
- After the Fire (1984)
View Book
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.