Judith Ann Jance, born on October 27, 1944, in Watertown, South Dakota, is an American author of detective novels and horror short stories, published under the name J. A. Jance.
Biography
After completing her higher education at the University of Arizona, where she earned a Master’s degree in Literature, she worked as a teacher from 1966 to 1968 in an institution in Tucson. Then, until 1973, she worked as a librarian in a Native American reservation before being employed successively by two insurance companies for ten years. She began focusing on writing in 1984, the year she published a collection of poems and contributed to works of children’s and young adult literature.
In 1989, she ventured into the detective novel genre with a series devoted to the investigations of Inspector Jonas Piedmont Beaumont, nicknamed Beau, of the Seattle police force. This complex and engaging hero, who pursues his career out of conviction, is not without contradictions and mood swings.
The classical but well-crafted plots in which he investigates are rich in colorful details and depict a variety of settings: corrupt politicians and scandalous press in Injustice for All (1986); drug addicts and artists in Taking the Fifth (1987); or even the construction union in A More Perfect Union (1988). The titles in the series have all become best-sellers.
In 1993, without abandoning Beaumont, J.A. Jance began another detective series set in the desert town of Bisbee, Arizona, featuring female Sheriff Joanna Brady. Beaumont and Brady both appear in the novels Partner in Crime (2003) and Fire and Ice (2009).
She has also written some fantastic short stories that belong to the horror genre.
J.P. Beaumont Series
J.A. Jance’s books often delve into the darker sides of society, featuring themes like serial killers, drug dealers, and dark secrets. Seattle investigator J.P. Beaumont serves as the main character in this thrilling series. A seasoned homicide detective, Beaumont is no stranger to the dead body du jour. The first book of the series introduces us to this younger face of Beaumont, a young policeman breaking into the male-dominated police force. Over the years, he evolves, but his commitment to disrupting the status quo of criminal activities remains constant.
The Order of J.P. Beaumont Books
Until Proven Guilty -1985 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Injustice For All -1986 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Trial by Fury -1986 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Taking the Fifth -1987 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Improbable Cause -1988 —– Buy Now From Amazon
A More Perfect Union -1988 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Dismissed with Prejudice -1989 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Minor in Possession -1990 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Payment In Kind -1991 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Without Due Process -1992 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Failure to Appear -1993 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Lying in Wait -1994 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Name Withheld -1996 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Breach Of Duty -1999 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Birds of Prey -2001 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Partner in Crime -2002 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Long Time Gone -2005 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Justice Denied -2007 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Fire and Ice -2009 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Betrayal of Trust -2011 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Second Watch -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Ring In the Dead -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Stand Down -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Dance of the Bones -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Still Dead -2017 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Proof of Life -2017 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Sins of the Fathers -2019 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Nothing to Lose -2022 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Sheriff Joanna Brady Series
Meet Joanna Brady, the newly-elected sheriff of Cochise County. In a riveting Brady novel of suspense, the tale finds Sheriff Brady dealing with challenges, both professional and personal. A dead woman is found, and Joanna becomes the prime suspect in her high school coach’s murder. With a teenage daughter and the haunting memory of a first husband lost to crime, Joanna must navigate her way through the labyrinth of a murder investigation.
The Order of Joanna Brady Books
Desert Heat -1993 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Tombstone Courage -1995 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Shoot Don’t Shoot -1995 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Dead to Rights -1997 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Skeleton Canyon -1997 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Rattlesnake Crossing -1998 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Outlaw Mountain -1999 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Devil’s Claw -2001 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Paradise Lost -2001 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Partner in Crime -2002 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Exit Wounds -2003 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Dead Wrong -2006 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Damage Control -2008 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Fire and Ice -2009 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Judgment Call -2012 —– Buy Now From Amazon
The Old Blue Line -2014 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Remains of Innocence -2014 —– Buy Now From Amazon
No Honor Among Thieves -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Random Acts -2016 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Downfall -2016 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Field of Bones -2018 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Missing and Endangered -2021 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Blessing of the Lost Girls -2023 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Ali Reynolds Series
In the Ali Reynolds series, we meet TV journalist Alison Reynolds, who finds herself out of a job at the end of her high-profile broadcasting career. Relocating to the Arizona desert, Alison takes a job as a school librarian, pursuing a degree in library science. Ali becomes a best friend to many but soon discovers that even the tranquil desert holds its dark secrets, often in the form of dead men and women.
The Order of Ali Reynolds Books
with Eric Van Lustbader
Edge of Evil -2005 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Web of Evil -2007 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Hand of Evil -2007 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Cruel Intent -2008 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Trial by Fire -2009 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Fatal Error -2011 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Left for Dead -2012 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Deadly Stakes -2013 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Moving Target -2014 —– Buy Now From Amazon
A Last Goodbye -2014 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Cold Betrayal -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
No Honor Among Thieves -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Clawback -2016 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Random Acts -2016 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Man Overboard -2017 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Duel to the Death -2018 —– Buy Now From Amazon
The A List -2019 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Taking the Veil (With: Eric Van Lustbader) -2019 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Credible Threat -2020 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Unfinished Business -2021 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Collateral Damage -2023 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Walker Family Series
In this series, we are introduced to Sheriff Brandon Walker, a retired Walker, now thrust back into action to solve gruesome crimes that perplex the younger generation. His pregnant wife, a secondary education teacher, provides a softer contrast to his hard-hitting detective work. The series also touches upon serious subjects like the disappearance of young girls and young women, often targeted by brilliant psychopaths like Andrew Carlisle.
The Order of Walker Family Mysteries Books
Hour of the Hunter -1991 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Kiss of the Bees -1993 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Day of the Dead -2004 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Queen of the Night -2010 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Dance of the Bones -2015 —– Buy Now From Amazon
Blessing of the Lost Girls -2023 —– Buy Now From Amazon
The Order of Standalone Novels
After the Fire -1984 —– Buy Now From Amazon
J.A. Jance’s books have long been a staple in the world of crime fiction. Her compelling main characters, intricate plots, and intense suspense ensure that readers are never bored. Each series offers something unique, from the veteran Seattle investigator J.P. Beaumont to the new female sheriff of Cochise County, Joanna Brady. As an author, Jance spends much time crafting tales that not only entertain but challenge the reader to think beyond the obvious, making her a permanent fixture in the realm of mystery and thriller series.