J.A. Jance -- a k a Judith Ann Jance is best known for her mystery novels, especially the fourteen books that depict the adventures of Seattle police detective J.P. Beaumont. In 1985, she published her first Beaumont book. Jance used her initials because her publisher believed disclosing her gender would be a liability for a book about a male detective. Joanna Brady is her other featured protagonist and is found in the books, Desert Heat and Tombstone Courage. Judith was born on October 27, 1944 in Watertown, South Dakota. A graduate of the University of Arizona. She is the author of the psychological thriller Hour of the Hunter, about a recently released killer who seeks revenge against a woman who was instrumental in putting him behind bars. Jance has worked as a school librarian on a Native American reservation, teacher, and insurance salesperson. She became interested in police work following an incident when her husband was driven home from work, unknowingly, by a serial killer who later began stalking them. The police investigation that followed inspired Jance to depict police procedures in her work. She and her husband, Bill, now live in Seattle, Washington. Jance has also become active in supporting charities, particularly the YWCA's shelter for homeless families. At signings, she asks bookstores to donate a percentage of their earnings from her appearances to various causes. Over the past 10 years, she has raised more than $250,000 for charities. Although she's written poetry, and a children's book, Jance said she plans to stick with her first love: mysteries. "in mysteries, the bad guys get what they deserve and in real life that often doesn't happen," she said. Jance doesn't mind the constant pressure to keep the books coming. Since she began publishing in 1985, Jance has completed a book nearly every six months, regularly landing on the best seller list.