JENnifer rose kassidy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jenster a true story?
Yes. Jenster is based entirely on true events. I still have many of the original documents connected to the story, including police facsimiles, photographs, journal entries and correspondence from the time.
Why is the book called Jenster?
Jenster is the name I gave to the part of myself that emerged as events unfolded—the version of me that became more assertive, trusted her instincts and refused to give up. She wasn’t a fictional persona so much as a part of myself I had never needed to call upon before.
Are the people in Jenster real?
Yes. The people and events in the memoir are drawn from my own experience. The book is written from my perspective and from what I knew, witnessed and understood at the time. Some names have been changed to protect people's privacy.
Why did you wait more than thirty years to write the book?
For years, I knew what had happened, but I don’t think I fully understood why it had happened—or what it had changed in me. Moving from Australia to the United States in 2017 gave me the distance to look back with greater clarity. By then, I was finally ready to open the yellow envelope I had carried with me for decades and begin telling the whole story.
Do you still have the evidence from the investigation?
I do. The yellow envelope still contains photographs, police reports, faded facsimiles, and other documents from the investigation, along with a postcard Conrad sent from Cape Town, South Africa. Some of those photographs and documents appear throughout this website.
Why are the chapters named after tarot cards?
Each chapter takes its title from a tarot card that reflects the emotional or psychological landscape of that part of the story. Later in the memoir, I visit a tarot card reader while searching for answers. Looking back, the cards became an unexpected way of framing the journey—the signs, choices and patterns I often recognised only in hindsight.
Are you available for book clubs and speaking events?
Yes. I enjoy talking with readers about Jenster, memoir, reinvention, and the process of turning lived experience into a story. I’m based in Minnesota and also make regular visits to Australia. For book clubs, speaking engagements or media enquiries, please use the contact page.
How can I contact you?
You can reach me through the contact form on this website.
