The author of In Sickness, in Health . . . and in Jail not only met with local residents, which included mum and dad Lorraine and Gary Harris, she also spoke about the writing process, delivered some humorous anecdotes and took part in a Q&A session.

Mrs Jacob’s life took an unexpected detour when her seemingly saintly husband was jailed for two years. 

The book is a revealing account of the family left behind, chronicling the grief, the stigma and the conversational minefields of her partner’s whereabouts, as well as the logistical problems of making a baby sibling for her two children, and why it’s not appropriate to tell people that daddy’s in jail. 

It’s a funny and touching account of grief, love and forgiveness, too.

Mrs Jacob, born and bred in Muswellbrook, said she was thrilled with the response to her latest work.

“You don’t know what sort of reaction you’ll get [to a topic like this] but people have been really supportive,” she admitted.

“And, it’s great to see some familiar faces in the audience.”

Mrs Jacob, an experienced journalist and scriptwriter, still has strong ties to Muswellbrook – and the Upper Hunter.

“I grew up here and I talk about the area in the book,” she said.

“In fact, my parents, cousins and friends still live in town.

“Although I’m a regular visitor to the region, it’s good to come ‘home’.”