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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

See prolific J.A. Jance tonight at The Bing

Dan Webster

Some writers work all their lives to craft a couple of books. Others, like Stephen King, seem to be able to slap out one a day. Judy Jance, who will appear at 7 onstage at the Bing Crosby Theater tonight, belongs in that second category.

Jance — whose pen name is J.A. Jance — splits time between Seattle and Arizona (she grew up in Bisbee). And these days, she writes mysteries that are set in both places. She began in Seattle, her protagonist being Seattle Police Detective J.P. Beaumont. But she's since stretched to include series around three other protagonists: Sheriff Joanna Brady, former L.A. newscaster Ali Reynolds and an ex-sheriff named Brandon Walker.

In all, Jance — according to her website — has written 24 books in the Beaumont series, 17 in the Brady series, 11 in the Reynolds series, five in the Walker series, plus a poetry collection and a number of short stories. By my count that's some 58 books. And she's done it all in just over 30 years.

By anyone's measure, that's an admirable feat. Jance will appear in support of her latest novel, which features Beaumont and Walker, tonight at The Bing. A $3 donation is suggested.

If you go, pay attention. Jance just might dash out a novel in between signing autographs.