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