The Viking, Penguin Books Australia First Edition was published in 1998, perhaps November 25th (see below)
Michael Joseph, Penguin Books published an edition in London in 1999
McArthur & Company published an edition in Canada in 1999
This book was not published in the United States
In 2023, Christine Courtenay, Bryce's widow, sold a lot of JESSICA items, including:
AN EXTREMELYÂ RARE JESSICA LAUNCH INVITATION! Jessica was launched in Sydney on 25th November 1999 by Ray Martin at The Justice and Police Museum (double sided and in perfect condition).
I own First Editions: the Australian, the British, and the Canadian
Bryce inscribed my copy of the Australian First Edition to me, and I also have a second signed copy
I own copies of the British and Canadian First Editions with signed bookplates
My second signed copy of the Australian First Edition has a newspaper article about Jessica, the main character of this novel
Brett Courtenay arranged for me to receive a signed copy of WHITETHORN, and he gave me a couple of bookmarks as well. One of the bookmarks announces that this novel was made into a "major television drama."