JA Jance Books in Order
For four decades, J.A. Jance has kept mystery lovers turning pages. Her detectives have chased killers through the rainy streets of Seattle, across the deserts of southern Arizona, and into the high tech world of cybercrime. With more than 80 books, novellas, and short stories, her catalog can feel huge. Where should you start, and how do the series connect?
This guide lists J.A. Jance books in order for every series, with publication years, crossover notes, and her newest and upcoming releases.
Who Is J.A. Jance?
J.A. Jance is a bestselling American mystery author. Born Judith Ann Jance, she grew up in Bisbee, Arizona, a small mining town that later inspired her Joanna Brady books. She studied at the University of Arizona, where she has said she was turned away from the creative writing program because she was a woman. She worked as a teacher, librarian, and insurance agent before publishing her first novel in 1985. She splits her time between Seattle and Tucson, the two settings at the heart of her books.
How to Read J.A. Jance Books in Order
J.A. Jance writes four main series. Each can be read on its own, but they share a connected world. Characters cross over between series, and some books count as part of two series at once.
Two ways to read:
- Series by series. Read each series start to finish. This is the easiest way to follow one detective’s story.
- Publication order. Read every book as it was published. This is best for catching every crossover and cameo.
Where to start: Most new readers begin with J.P. Beaumont (Until Proven Guilty) or Joanna Brady (Desert Heat).
Series at a Glance
| Series | Main Character | Setting | First Book | Books So Far |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.P. Beaumont | Seattle homicide detective | Seattle, Washington | 1985 | 31 |
| Joanna Brady | Small town sheriff | Cochise County, Arizona | 1993 | 24 |
| Walker Family | Native American legends and mysteries | Southern Arizona | 1991 | 6 |
| Ali Reynolds | Former TV news anchor | Sedona, Arizona | 2005 | 21 so far, plus one planned |
J.P. Beaumont Series
J.P. “Beau” Beaumont is a Seattle homicide detective with a sharp mind and a messy personal life. This is her longest running series.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Until Proven Guilty | 1985 |
| 2 | Injustice for All | 1986 |
| 3 | Trial by Fury | 1986 |
| 4 | Taking the Fifth | 1987 |
| 5 | Improbable Cause | 1988 |
| 6 | A More Perfect Union | 1988 |
| 7 | Dismissed with Prejudice | 1989 |
| 8 | Minor in Possession | 1990 |
| 9 | Payment in Kind | 1991 |
| 10 | Without Due Process | 1992 |
| 11 | Failure to Appear | 1993 |
| 12 | Lying in Wait | 1994 |
| 13 | Name Withheld | 1996 |
| 14 | Breach of Duty | 1999 |
| 15 | Birds of Prey | 2001 |
| 16 | Partner in Crime (Joanna Brady crossover) | 2002 |
| 17 | Long Time Gone | 2005 |
| 18 | Justice Denied | 2007 |
| 19 | Fire and Ice (Joanna Brady crossover) | 2009 |
| 20 | Betrayal of Trust | 2011 |
| 21 | Ring in the Dead (novella) | 2013 |
| 22 | Second Watch | 2013 |
| 23 | Stand Down (novella) | 2015 |
| 24 | Dance of the Bones (Walker Family crossover) | 2015 |
| 25 | Still Dead (novella) | 2017 |
| 26 | Proof of Life | 2017 |
| 27 | Sins of the Fathers | 2019 |
| 28 | Nothing to Lose | 2022 |
| 29 | Girls’ Night Out (short story) | 2024 |
| 30 | Den of Iniquity | 2024 |
| 31 | The Taken Ones | 2026 |
Joanna Brady Series
Joanna Brady becomes sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, after her husband is killed. The series follows her work and her family life in a small desert community.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Heat | 1993 |
| 2 | Tombstone Courage | 1995 |
| 3 | Shoot Don’t Shoot | 1995 |
| 4 | Dead to Rights | 1997 |
| 5 | Skeleton Canyon | 1997 |
| 6 | Rattlesnake Crossing | 1998 |
| 7 | Outlaw Mountain | 1999 |
| 8 | Devil’s Claw | 2001 |
| 9 | Paradise Lost | 2001 |
| 10 | Partner in Crime (J.P. Beaumont crossover) | 2002 |
| 11 | Exit Wounds | 2003 |
| 12 | Dead Wrong | 2006 |
| 13 | Damage Control | 2008 |
| 14 | Fire and Ice (J.P. Beaumont crossover) | 2009 |
| 15 | Judgment Call | 2012 |
| 16 | The Old Blue Line (novella) | 2014 |
| 17 | Remains of Innocence | 2014 |
| 18 | No Honor Among Thieves (novella, Ali Reynolds crossover) | 2015 |
| 19 | Random Acts (novella, Ali Reynolds crossover) | 2016 |
| 20 | Downfall | 2016 |
| 21 | Field of Bones | 2018 |
| 22 | Missing and Endangered | 2021 |
| 23 | Blessing of the Lost Girls (Walker Family crossover) | 2023 |
| 24 | The Girl from Devil’s Lake | 2025 |
Walker Family Series
The Walker Family books blend mystery with Native American culture and legends from southern Arizona’s Tohono O’odham Nation.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hour of the Hunter | 1991 |
| 2 | Kiss of the Bees | 1993 |
| 3 | Day of the Dead | 2004 |
| 4 | Queen of the Night | 2010 |
| 5 | Dance of the Bones (J.P. Beaumont crossover) | 2015 |
| 6 | Blessing of the Lost Girls (Joanna Brady crossover) | 2023 |
Ali Reynolds Series
Ali Reynolds is a former TV news anchor who returns to her hometown of Sedona, Arizona, and gets pulled into crime solving. Later books add cybersecurity and high tech threats.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edge of Evil | 2005 |
| 2 | Web of Evil | 2007 |
| 3 | Hand of Evil | 2007 |
| 4 | Cruel Intent | 2008 |
| 5 | Trial by Fire | 2009 |
| 6 | Fatal Error | 2011 |
| 7 | Left for Dead | 2012 |
| 8 | Deadly Stakes | 2013 |
| 9 | Moving Target | 2014 |
| 10 | A Last Goodbye (novella) | 2014 |
| 11 | Cold Betrayal | 2015 |
| 12 | No Honor Among Thieves (novella, Joanna Brady crossover) | 2015 |
| 13 | Clawback | 2016 |
| 14 | Random Acts (novella, Joanna Brady crossover) | 2016 |
| 15 | Man Overboard | 2017 |
| 16 | Duel to the Death | 2018 |
| 17 | The A List | 2019 |
| 18 | Credible Threat | 2020 |
| 19 | Unfinished Business | 2021 |
| 20 | Collateral Damage | 2023 |
| 21 | OverKill | 2025 |
| 22 | Smoke and Mirrors | Listed for 2027 |
Crossover Books
Crossovers are the trickiest part of reading J.A. Jance books in order. Some books bring two series together. Read these after you know both detectives:
| Title | Year | Series Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Partner in Crime | 2002 | J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady |
| Fire and Ice | 2009 | J.P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady |
| Dance of the Bones | 2015 | J.P. Beaumont and Walker Family |
| No Honor Among Thieves | 2015 | Joanna Brady and Ali Reynolds |
| Random Acts | 2016 | Joanna Brady and Ali Reynolds |
| Blessing of the Lost Girls | 2023 | Joanna Brady and Walker Family |
Other Works
Beyond the main mystery series, a complete list of J.A. Jance books in order also includes poetry, short stories, and anthologies.
- After the Fire (1984): A memoir in poetry and prose.
- The J.A. Jance Casebook (2011): A short story collection.
- Anthology contributions: Stories in collections such as Bark M for Murder (2006) and MatchUp (2017).
Newest and Upcoming Releases
If you’re caught up on J.A. Jance books in order, here’s what’s newest:
- Den of Iniquity (2024): J.P. Beaumont book 30.
- The Girl from Devil’s Lake (2025): Joanna Brady book 24.
- OverKill (2025): The latest Ali Reynolds novel.
- The Taken Ones (2026): J.P. Beaumont book 31.
- Smoke and Mirrors: The next Ali Reynolds book, listed for 2027.
Best J.A. Jance Books for Beginners
Not ready to tackle all the J.A. Jance books in order at once? Try one of these first.
| Book | Why Start Here |
|---|---|
| Until Proven Guilty | Her first book and the start of Beau’s story |
| Desert Heat | A strong, emotional start to Joanna Brady |
| Edge of Evil | Easy entry to the Ali Reynolds series |
| Hour of the Hunter | A haunting, standalone feeling thriller |
From Classroom to Bestseller Lists
J.A. Jance didn’t publish her first novel until her 40s, after working other jobs and writing on the side. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to share your writing. If you’re working on your own mystery, our guide on How to Publish a Book on Amazon can help you get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read J.A. Jance books in order? It helps, especially for character growth and crossovers, but each book has its own mystery.
Which J.A. Jance series is best? J.P. Beaumont is her longest running series, while Joanna Brady is a fan favorite for its small town setting.
How many books has J.A. Jance written? More than 80, including novels, novellas, and short stories.
What is J.A. Jance’s newest book? The Taken Ones (2026), a J.P. Beaumont novel.
Final Thoughts
From Seattle’s rainy streets to Arizona’s desert canyons, J.A. Jance has built one of the richest worlds in modern mystery fiction. Use this guide to J.A. Jance books in order to start a new series, track down crossovers, and catch up on her newest releases.
Key Takeaways
- J.A. Jance books in order span four main series: J.P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, Walker Family, and Ali Reynolds.
- J.P. Beaumont is her longest series, starting with Until Proven Guilty in 1985.
- Joanna Brady begins with Desert Heat (1993) and is set in Cochise County, Arizona.
- Several crossover books connect the series, such as Partner in Crime and Blessing of the Lost Girls.
- Her newest releases include The Girl from Devil’s Lake (2025), OverKill (2025), and The Taken Ones (2026).
- The next Ali Reynolds book, Smoke and Mirrors, is listed for 2027.
