When You’re Wrong, You’re Wrong

by

Beaumont #26 – September 10, 2024

I used to say I could never be Sue Grafton when I grew up because I could never write twenty-six books about the same character.

Well, guess what? Forty-one years after meeting J.P. for the first time while traveling by train from Seattle to Portland, Den of Iniquity, Beaumont #26, goes on sale September 10, 2024.

Kinsey Milhone tended to stay in the Seventies where she was most comfortable. For me, the Seventies weren’t all that great. When Beau and I began our fictional journey together in the early eighties, and once Avon Books let me know I was writing a series, I decided that he and I would age together. I’m now pushing eighty, and so is he.

Some books are more fun to write than others. Writing this one was an absolute blast. For one thing there are pieces of me lurking in this book. Newsletter-only readers may miss some of those in-crowd jokes, but readers of my Blog which posts every Friday morning will catch them all.

Beau didn’t actually start walking on a regular basis until he met Lucy, his first Irish wolfhound in Sins of the Fathers. Blog readers know that getting my daily steps has been an important part of my real-life story for a long time. My current streak comes in at 1001 consecutive days of getting at least 10,000 steps a day.

In Den of Iniquity, DOI for short, when Beau’s lanky 18 year-old grandson, Kyle, walks into the story, blog readers will instantly recognize my own lanky grandson, Colt. They’ve been hearing about Colt’s adventures for years.

Yes, there’s a murder mystery in DOI. Beau’s actually tasked with tracking down a serial killer, but for me, the real fun came from Beau’s and Mel’s sometimes misguided attempts to bridge the generation chasm between two seventy-somethings and the runaway teenager who has unexpectedly decided to come live with Grandma and Grandpa.

For me, that’s one of the joys of writing series books as opposed to stand-alones. I’ve had a chance to watch these characters change and grow over the years. For me those back stories are sometimes more interesting than the mystery itself.

Now back to the business at hand. The publishing industry has recently decided that book tours are a thing of the past. The four DOI events that are scheduled–three live in Washington State and one virtual–are listed on the Schedule Page of my website.

If you can’t see me in person to have a book signed, you can always have a signed DOI bookmark by sending a business sized self-addressed envelope to me at:

J.A. Jance
PO Box 766
Bellevue, WA 98009.

My first bookmark request is already in hand. I’m also willing to sign and personalize copies of books that are mailed to me medial mail the same fashion, in an SASE. You can also order autographed copies from Poisoned Pen, Mostly Books, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, and Brick & Mortar Books.

Just so you know, the next Ali Reynolds book, Overkill, is written and due out next April. As for the next Joanna Brady book, By Reason of Insanity? When I say I’m on the banana peel of writing that one, blog readers know that means I’m nearing the finish lines. By the numbers, the story is 66.66% done, but who’s counting?

Happy reading. All I can say is, I hope my fans enjoy reading Den of Iniquity as much as I enjoyed writing it.

JAJance

44 thoughts on “When You’re Wrong, You’re Wrong”

  1. Gratified u mentioned Sue Grafton…her books were an absolute joy, as I lived on the Central Coast of CA and I knew Santa Barbara streets in her adventures.

    And I eagerly await YOUR books just as I did Sue’s!!!

  2. Congratulations JA. The more I learn about you, the more I chuckle as some of your questions, decisions, and definitely your ‘habits’ coincide with my own. Admire your stick-to-it-ive-ness.and can’t wait to read the next two…

  3. Can’t wait for the 3 new books. Never read Sue Grafton. Will have to add her to my list. Always enjoy your books!!!

  4. I loved that you mentioned Sue Grafton and Kinsey Milhone.. they were all favorites of mine and miss not having more!! One the other hand I love all of your series and am almost finished with Ali Reynolds..just a few more left on my bookshelf. I’m caught up with Beau and Joanna Brady! Since we live in Delaware and won’t be able to see you live, I look forward to seeing you virtually!!
    Thank you for all of your books, I enjoy everything you write!
    Thank you,
    Rose Osterstrom

  5. I was once told “Never say never”. Saying it worked for me. I’m so glad it did not work for you. Although I have put the Sept. 10th date on my calendar, it only means on that date I will preorder a DOI in paperback. My old arthritic hands don’t work so well with hardcovers. In the meantime, I suffer knowing it is available, but not for me.

    Blessings to you and Bill.

    • Get a kindle. Much easier to hold and you can enlarge the print. Buying an e-book is more expensive (I think) than a paperback but cheaper than a hardback. Actually I haven’t I bought a paperback in years, so I’m not sure of the price comparison. Also, e-books come out at the same time as the hardback. Win/win

      • Good advise, but I had one and gave it away. I am a DTR from way back. I NEED a book to hold.

  6. I truly enjoy your newsletter. Also, I really like your books and it’s due to all their content. Also, the more I read about your Mother, the more memories of my own Mom. She, too, was a great one with the wisdom. If wishes were horses, beggars could ride; a bird in hand is worth two in the bush; and so much more. I miss her every day. Reading about your steps inspired me – after a cancer scare, I started counting steps to get my strength back. I too am pushing that number ?. Take care…

  7. Glad you kept the series alive. Looking forward to the next book and the ones coming soon.

  8. Oh boy, Beau’s next book is nearing my reading eyes! I had finished that series, sadly, and wished that there were more to read and now there is. I started and fell in love with Joanna in the Brady series. It’s hard to believe that Beau and Mel are in their 70s, I still have trouble believing I’m in my 70s! I’ve got that new book pre-ordered and am looking forward to it.

    Thank you for your books and this blog too. My brain is very entertained.

    • I’m in my 70s also. I see some old guy and then I realize that I am probably older. Blows my mind.

  9. A doctor from Maine has written Heloise today telling the advantages of walking. He recommends it to all of his patients. He tells them to get out and walk. They should have proper walking shoes. It doesn’t matter how many steps they walk, but the idea is to get out and move.

    Sue Grafton jogged each morning as did her sleuth Kinsey Millhone. Her last book was “Y”. She died of cancer before she could write “Z”. She wasn’t sure what she would write after she finished the series.

  10. I am saddened to realize we may never meet in person again. I discovered your books in the ‘90’s. I started attending your book tours in 2015 and realized our personal connection in 2018. I am glad I attended your school assembly in Bisbee in April. Here’s to hoping we cross paths again.

  11. What I love about Beau is that he is so real. He doesn’t go looking for trouble, but it finds him. He manages to keep on moving. He does have a problem with cars, however. I can’t remember how many have been destroyed in his adventures.

    Am looking forward to the new book.

  12. Enjoy your books. Don’t stop writing. I’ve encouraged more than one friend to read your books and several of us have gone to Red Mountain Library to hear you speak and buy your signed books. We are forever fans .

  14. Can’t. Is it possible to work something out with the Sue Grafton people and write Z. I feel like I’ve been hanging on a cliff waiting to b rescued. Just a thought Thanx.

    • Leslie, there was some discussion with Sue’s husband and daughter about this shortly after Sue died. They decided against it. I think they should leave it alone.

      Sue was very adamant about not making any films of her books. She had worked as a screen writer in Hollywood before her books were successful. She wanted no part of the film industry. I think it’s best to have our own idea of what Kinsey looked like.

  15. Nothing makes me happier than knowing new JA books are on the way!
    I am going to reread Sins of the Fathers, because I just love Lucy.

    My daughter just started reading the Joannas. I hope she loves them so I can share the fun.

    I have been wondering what app you use to count all those steps as I am not terribly happy with the one I use. Just hit one year of 10,000 steps a day so I have a ways to go to catch up.

  17. This week’s blog has given me lots to think about. I am glad that you made the decision for your characters to age. That makes them much more interesting. There’s a certain Baptist selling author that I got bored with because her characters did not. Actually I think she just kept writing the same book over and over. She just changed the details slightly and none of the main characters changed at all.

    I’m sorry to hear that book tours are a thing of the past. My friend that first introduced me to J. A. Jance lived less than five miles from the Poisoned Pen. I would time my visits to her so that we could go to the signings. I haven’t gone since she passed. I thought about going to Scottsdale and a book signing in her honor but somehow never did.
    I’m excited that I have three new books to look forward to.

    • Oops! BEST SELLING author NOT baptist! Spell check strikes again! I wonder what I typed instead of best.

      • Mary Jane, That’s funny. I wondered who the Baptist selling author was. Two romance novelists who write the same book over and over again come to mind. I won’t give their names. What I don’t understand is people keep buying their books. As long as their publishers are making money I suppose they will keep on.

  20. I LOVE BEAU! And, Mel and all the other characters that “live” in my stomping grounds, Seattle. The city has changed much in the last 30+ years, but Beau keeps on keeping on. To have a series in which the characters age naturally, is a gift.
    So are you, Judy. Thanks for the many hours of pleasure you give us so selflessly.

  21. Hi Judith-neighbor,
    Well, I can’t wait to read the new Beaumont #26 book. But I am sorry the publishers are stopping the book signing. I’ve been to many of your events and will miss them. I did get signed up for the LFP event so that will probably be the last time I get to see you, unless you want to go to lunch, as we live near each other.?
    I just read the Blessings of the lost girls and really enjoyed this Walker series. You can always start a new series with Dan Pardee, if you have time.
    All the best,
    Fan and neighbor Janis

  22. I have read and loved every Beaumont book and am looking forward to this next one!!! I love series books where beloved characters grow and change… and have a life!!! I will be 78 in January. Happy stepping!!!???

  23. Judy, in 1987, I married my sailor and moved from Seattle to San Diego, where my husband was the only person I knew. My beloved great aunt sent me your first hardbound book and I was hooked. Even if I couldn’t travel home in person, I knew places in your books. I could travel in my head to Golden Gardens or the Dog House and it eased my homesickness. Beau even kept me company when my newborn was hospitalized at 2 weeks old.

    When we talked about our retirement and knew SD was out of our price range, Arizona came to mind because of your writing. I am pretty sure we actually passed each other as you moved to Belleview the same week we moved to Buckeye.

    Thank you for sharing your family and imagination with all of us. I have 3 shelves of books I have carried through all 19 moves in the 36 years I have been married. You have 2 full shelves, Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series has the other. And I reread them frequently as they are old friends.

  24. I’ve pre-ordered it as I do with all your books. Now I need to put it on my calendar as I almost missed the fun read off Twink! I forgot I had reordered it (thank goodness Amazon tells me I already own it…..I’m a Kindle user), so when you mentioned you hadn’t had comments..I immediately went to Amazon! I read it that night and loved it!

  26. I am a prolific fan of all your book series…the one who voraciously completes reading each one in less than 24 hours.

    As for Beau, I didn’t care for him in the earlier novels. Then, something changed and he has become my favorite character . I will admit that I now have a big crush on him!

    • Ann,

      I liked Beau from the beginning altho I worried about his drinking. I’m so glad he joined AA and sobered up. I’ve worked with alcoholics and his struggle is normal.

      One of his best adventures was finding a rattler in his cabin at the addiction facility.
      It all turned out ok, but was upsetting at the time.

  27. I’m crazy about J.P. Think I have read all of them. Also love Ali and Joanna. 3 great series.

  28. I started your books with Joanna Brady and loved them! They were inspiring for where I was in my work life as well as always interesting, and I loved that we learned more about the characters. I didn’t think I would like the J. P. Beaumont books, but I think I met him in one of the books in which you had both characters, and once I read a couple, I was hooked! I went back to #1 and read (or listened, as the audiobooks are great!) to all of them – thanks to our local library. Since then, I purchase them as they are published! I look forward to a fun September of reading – and I’m so glad you have moved him through time – I must admit I liked Kinsey Milhone but after a while, it lost its charm. I think you definitely got it right aging Beaumont – so many interesting aspects of his life!

  29. We are so excited that not one but THREE new JA Jance books are coming out. We love all your series and are sad every time we finish one. I am a big fan of the Sue Grafton Kinsey alphabet series. When she passed away way too young and the alphabet ended, I was devastated. I felt like I would never know what happened to all the friends I’d made in the books. I am a person who needs closure.
    Thank you for always bringing joy to our lives Judy.

  30. I got hooked on character progression novels when I started reading John B. McDonald’s Travis McGee books. Also novels by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Tony Hillarman, W.E.B Griffin… Lots of others, and JAJance at the top of the list, of course.

    I do have to admit to a bunch of selfishness, though. I wish all these favorite authors of mine could live forever. Just for my own pleasure because I never want to say goodbye to all the fascinating people they have brought into my life. So, keep on truckin’, Judith.

  31. Do you (or your publisher) have a Canadian address that we can write to to request a bookmark or have a book signed?

    The cost of international postage is exorbitant!

  32. HI, I just ordered my signed copy from poison pen. I have loved your books and I have them all and I have to say I have a serious crush on Beaumont. I love the other books of course but when I read Beaumont he is my favorite. So keep up the great writing. I hope they have a book library in heaven since i never want to stop reading your books. I am 82 years old but hope to hang around for awhile. I live in Co. and I love it here. my husband and i moved here in 1993 from ca. I have been a widow since 2003 . So glad we moved to this small town and I feel safe. My son and wife lives in minn. so i do visit them twice a year. Thanks again for your Books.

  33. All I’m going to say it’s when it comes to J P you NEVER DISAPPOINT!! Not to say you disappoint on the other series; he is just my favorite! Joanna Brady coming in second! I haven’t been able to grow to love Ali like them. I can’t explain it…. I do know that I love you! You have given me so many hours of pleasure and escape into their worlds and your other shorter series I happen to love those too! So thank you so much! It takes an incredible person to write so many wonderful characters and storylines and keep up with the high demand that has been laid on your shoulders. Much love. Respectfully, Teresa Leonard Snyder

    • I love the way you have described my feelings too. Although I have yet to read Ali, I’ll keep my mind open for her. Love is the correct feeling for these characters. And I also do love being brought into their worlds every night.

  34. I bought a jar of Duke’s mayonnaise yesterday. I like it, but won’t buy it again until I can find it cheaper than the grocery store where I bought it.

    I was surprised to see all of the brands on the shelf. Competition must be stiff.

  35. Exciting news for the holidays.

    I am on a forum that discusses the Royal families. Right now we are getting ready for the wedding of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise that will be Saturday. We are going to celebrate in our homes.

    One member mentioned she will have some lefse chips. I didn’t know there were chips made from that Norwegian “delicacy”. The brand name is Uffda and they are made in Norsland, Minnesota. They would be another Christmas treat.

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