Reviews of Spillover: A Memoir

Greg Cary  4BC Mornings 9-12, Channel 7 Sunrise  Thursdays at 7.50 pm
“I think you have done an outstanding job in articulating the events and the emotions of such a terrible experience. I love horses and have great empathy for what you went through.”

The Editor, Horses & People Magazine.
“With the Hendra virus still a raw reality for horse owners in south east (and northern) Queensland and a thing to be feared by anyone owning horses and living near bats, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to follow one women’s experience of losing her horse to the virus, learning the hard way about the disease and enduring the effects it has had on her life and that of her family.
Jennifer Crane writes in an easy to read and down to earth style which most horse owners will immediately identify with. They will also identify strongly with her love for her horses and her very real concerns for other horses and people who might yet be affected by the Hendra virus in the future.
While Jennifer, a widow, and her children grieved for their horse Clive and the terrible way that he died, they were then faced with the very real fear they may have contracted the disease themselves.
Following the death of Clive were bureaucratic processes and procedures to be coped with and understood, struggling with government thinking and practices, quarantine, biosecurity and other upheavals.
And then, the bats. Anyone like Jennifer, who lives on a property with bats and has horses should consider this book.”

'Independent review of Hendra virus cases at Redlands and Proserpine in July and August 2008'   prepared by Dr Nigel Perkins of Ausvet for the Director-General DPI&F tabled in Qld Parliament on 4 Dec 08.
"The value of positive role models who can present real-world and personalised accounts of their experiences is considered to be very worthwhile. The account by the owner of the 2006 Hendra virus case at Peachester (Crane 2008)(Spillover: A Memoir) is an informative read that effectively communicates the uncertainties and the challenges faced by individuals affected by Hendra."

Quotes from readers:

“I can’t begin to thank you for writing your book. I have found more assistance and insight into Hendra virus, than all the bit websites I have searched through. I live on the NSW North coast, very close to the "circle" of recent outbreaks. It has been your book that has guided me through what to do regarding my horses, their paddocks and, most importantly, armed me with the correct info I, and all my horse people friends, desperately seek. I am now encouraging all at my Equestrian club to purchase or read your story as your words have more meaning to us…”

“Dr Deborah Middleton, leading the research for the Hendra virus horse vaccine at AAHL said of my book, “I read your book and I enjoyed it - many of the thoughts expressed were very insightful, es from a "non-expert". It now lives on the bookshelf in my office.”

“You don’t have to be a horsey person to be touched by the sadness of your book.”

“I can’t express the emotions I felt as I read your words, I couldn’t put it down and I finished it overnight. It was heart wrenching reading.”

“Your book is a must read for all horse owners and I will be telling everyone I know about it.”

“I received the book quickly and read it in a day or two - I couldn't put it down. I shed so many tears - for you and your beautiful horses…and for those caught up in this recent Hendra virus debacle. Thank you for sharing this story - it is a lesson to all of us - not just on the dangers of Hendra virus but really for any time when we are dealing with unknown illnesses.”