J.A. Jance

Mary Ann Halpin

A graduate of Bisbee High and the University of Arizona. J.A. Jance taught English at Pueblo High in Tucson before trying her hand as a novelist. It proved to be a good idea. Jance will debut her 80th book, "Overkill," at this year's Tucson Festival of Books.

In Southern Arizona, Jance is best-known for her long-running series featuring Joanna Brady, the fictional sheriff of Cochise County. "Overkill" is the 17th installment in her Ali Reynolds series.

Jance has never missed one of our festivals, and in 2016 she received our Founders Award.  

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Awards: Tucson Festival of Books Founder's Award, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, University of Arizona, 2000

Communities: Arizona Author

Friends and Sponsors Only: Hot Off the Press

Sponsors and Friends of the Festival are invited to a books launch party with authors in attendance. Unfortunately, Richard Parker will no longer be able to participate in this event as originally planned.

Campus Store - Hot Off the Press (Seats 250, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 15, 8:30 am - 9:30 am

Panelists: Catherine Bracy, TJ Alexander, Maureen Dowd, Jack Fairweather, Tess Gerritsen, J.A. Jance, Vanda Krefft, Vanessa Le, Megan Miranda, Susan Morrison, Clay Risen, Lisa Rogak, Lucinda Scala Quinn

Villains We Love to Hate

What makes a good villain? What makes us loathe some characters and love others? Today we'll ask three people who know: J.A. Jance, Phillip Margolin and Kyle Mills. Who are their favorite bad guys? Let's ask.

UA Mall Tent (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Central Mall (following presentation)  

Panelists: J.A. Jance, Phillip Margolin, Kyle Mills
Moderator: Marty McCune
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Pepper Viner Homes, Michael H. and Marjorie Y. Lipson

The Mysteries Behind Series Mysteries

Whether you prefer to follow characters through multiple books or you’re a one-and-done type of reader, you will enjoy meeting these four authors. In this session, we will learn what goes into a decision to write series mysteries.

UA Campus Store (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - UA Campus Store Lower Level (following presentation)  

Panelists: J.A. Jance, Beth Morrison, Boyd Morrison, Barbara Nickless
Moderator: Jennifer Dornbush
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of UA Campus Store, Jean Orrico

Familiar Faces

Book festival regulars J.A. Jance, Thomas Perry and T. Jefferson Parker -- each of whom has received at TFOB Founders Award -- will discuss their books, their careers, and their favorites restaurants in Tucson!

Modern Languages Room 350 (Seats 318, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sun, Mar 16, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Central Mall (following presentation)  

Panelists: J.A. Jance, T. Jefferson Parker, Thomas Perry
Moderator: Cayce Blanchard
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of The William & Mary Ross Foundation, University of Arizona - Facilities Management

Books:

OverKill

Mystery / Thrillers
Simon & Schuster
April 2025
ISBN 9781668035788
Hardcover, 320 pages

Den of Iniquity

A J. P. Beaumont Novel
Mystery / Thrillers
HarperCollins Publishers Incorporated
September 2024
ISBN 9780063252585
Hardcover, 368 pages