MEG by Jason Medina was inspired by true events.
MEG
This is the story of a single mother and her child, who move into a new home hoping to make a brand new start. The things they experience afterwards is far from ordinary. The story is largely inspired by true events, which took place in California from 1998-2008.
After making a major change in her life, Megan Forester and her 4-year-old son, Josh, relocate to an apartment in Yonkers, New York. Adjusting to a new home is not always easy, as they will realize, especially a home that comes with hidden dark secrets.
While getting settled into her new home, Megan comes across the photo of a beautiful teenage girl. Figuring it belonged to a previous tenant, she disregards the photo and sets it aside. Not long after, strange things begin to take place that stir up terrible memories from the past with the potential to push her over the edge. It is something she definitely cannot afford to happen. She knows it was the photo, which triggered the memories, but why?
As she slowly unravels the mystery surrounding the photo, young Josh makes a new friend. However, his new friend is no ordinary friend and could cause problems for him and his already shaken up mother. Megan just might have to fight to remain sane, as she adjusts, while dealing with an onslaught of dark memories.
In this story, the past dictates what will happen in the present and the past was not good.
The original title of this story was "Help Me," but I got the idea to change it to "MEG" in September of 2013. I made the change official by early October of 2013. Both titles were inspired by key events that take place in the story, but the new title had more meaning and could be tied to both characters from the past and present. I also changed the location to Yonkers. Originally, it was going to be set in La Jolla, California. However, I thought it would be more convenient to use a location I am more familiar with, allowing me to be more descriptive of the surrounding area. It does begin in Chico, California, which is more appropriate with the original source material that inspired the story. I am also using a few names for characters, which come from the actual story this book is inspired by. I wanted my story to feel more connected to the actual story in as many ways as possible, while still making it feel original. There are some scenes taken straight out of what really took place, as an homage to the real people. If you scroll down to the bottom of this webpage, you can learn more about the real story, although that section does contain spoilers. Read my book, first.
The book cover has been changed multiple times, since this story was first conceived. At last, in the fall of 2021, I created what would become the current cover, which was the best one of all. I also designed a gritty back cover using images from the story. This was the most work I ever put into the back cover of a book. I believe you will not be disappointed. You can see the various book covers I made below in the Cover Gallery.
I planned to start this book in late 2000, but after the whole Covid lockdown, I had trouble selling my previous novel during that year. I figured it might be wise to hold off on writing another book, so I waited and took a nice long break. Besides, I already had the plot outlined for every chapter, which I later realized made things more difficult because I had to keep rearranging things. Still, I knew once I started, it would be easy to finish the story. I knew how it was going to start, I had a good idea of the middle, and the ending was all planned out. I just had to put them together and fill in the blanks. Piece of cake.
I also switched to a new publisher, again. This time, I hope it works out and I can use them from now on because I really like their prices. However, for a project that should have taken 2-3 months, they took over 5. The first person working on my book was out sick with Co-vid. The person who took over also got sick and was out for 2 months. After weeks of nothing being done, I complained and was told the book was published 2 months ago! I had been checking online, so I know that is not the case. Either way, it is finally available in all formats!
After making a major change in her life, Megan Forester and her 4-year-old son, Josh, relocate to an apartment in Yonkers, New York. Adjusting to a new home is not always easy, as they will realize, especially a home that comes with hidden dark secrets.
While getting settled into her new home, Megan comes across the photo of a beautiful teenage girl. Figuring it belonged to a previous tenant, she disregards the photo and sets it aside. Not long after, strange things begin to take place that stir up terrible memories from the past with the potential to push her over the edge. It is something she definitely cannot afford to happen. She knows it was the photo, which triggered the memories, but why?
As she slowly unravels the mystery surrounding the photo, young Josh makes a new friend. However, his new friend is no ordinary friend and could cause problems for him and his already shaken up mother. Megan just might have to fight to remain sane, as she adjusts, while dealing with an onslaught of dark memories.
In this story, the past dictates what will happen in the present and the past was not good.
The original title of this story was "Help Me," but I got the idea to change it to "MEG" in September of 2013. I made the change official by early October of 2013. Both titles were inspired by key events that take place in the story, but the new title had more meaning and could be tied to both characters from the past and present. I also changed the location to Yonkers. Originally, it was going to be set in La Jolla, California. However, I thought it would be more convenient to use a location I am more familiar with, allowing me to be more descriptive of the surrounding area. It does begin in Chico, California, which is more appropriate with the original source material that inspired the story. I am also using a few names for characters, which come from the actual story this book is inspired by. I wanted my story to feel more connected to the actual story in as many ways as possible, while still making it feel original. There are some scenes taken straight out of what really took place, as an homage to the real people. If you scroll down to the bottom of this webpage, you can learn more about the real story, although that section does contain spoilers. Read my book, first.
The book cover has been changed multiple times, since this story was first conceived. At last, in the fall of 2021, I created what would become the current cover, which was the best one of all. I also designed a gritty back cover using images from the story. This was the most work I ever put into the back cover of a book. I believe you will not be disappointed. You can see the various book covers I made below in the Cover Gallery.
I planned to start this book in late 2000, but after the whole Covid lockdown, I had trouble selling my previous novel during that year. I figured it might be wise to hold off on writing another book, so I waited and took a nice long break. Besides, I already had the plot outlined for every chapter, which I later realized made things more difficult because I had to keep rearranging things. Still, I knew once I started, it would be easy to finish the story. I knew how it was going to start, I had a good idea of the middle, and the ending was all planned out. I just had to put them together and fill in the blanks. Piece of cake.
I also switched to a new publisher, again. This time, I hope it works out and I can use them from now on because I really like their prices. However, for a project that should have taken 2-3 months, they took over 5. The first person working on my book was out sick with Co-vid. The person who took over also got sick and was out for 2 months. After weeks of nothing being done, I complained and was told the book was published 2 months ago! I had been checking online, so I know that is not the case. Either way, it is finally available in all formats!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Now available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book (Kindle & Nook). You may also want to get the exclusive limited collector's edition photobook, which will only be made available at my book signings, while supplies last.
"What she did not realize is the dream was only the start of a long nightmare." - Jason Medina, MEG
Writing the book during the summer of 2021.
MEG: CRIMES OF THE ANNIVERSARY KILLER
AUTHOR'S EXCLUSIVE LIMITED COLLECTOR'S EDITION COMPANION RESEARCH GUIDE!
As a bonus collector's item for the hardcore fans, I've decided to create a limited edition photo book. It will contain 30 realistic newspaper articles, created by me, that my main character will use for her research. It will also include other goodies, such as exclusive photos of the killer, his victims, and important locations from the story.
This promotional Author's Exclusive Limited Collector's Edition Companion Photo Book will be signed by me, and will only be available through me. Not the publisher and not through other online stores. I am trying to keep the number of pages under a certain amount to maintain a minimum of $30 for the price, so it can be affordable. Information on how to get your copy will be made available on this website in a few months, so stay tuned.
This promotional Author's Exclusive Limited Collector's Edition Companion Photo Book will be signed by me, and will only be available through me. Not the publisher and not through other online stores. I am trying to keep the number of pages under a certain amount to maintain a minimum of $30 for the price, so it can be affordable. Information on how to get your copy will be made available on this website in a few months, so stay tuned.
MEG: Crimes of "The Anniversary Killer" Photobook (Front Cover).
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MEG: Crimes of "The Anniversary Killer" Photobook (Rear Cover).
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Book Trailer
Cover Gallery
MEG & The Victims of the Anniversary Killer
Story Locations
WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS!
This story is inspired by true events. On January 31, 1976 Marie Elizabeth Spannhake was abducted by unknown person(s) from Chico, California. Her body was never recovered and to this day her crime remains unsolved. She was 19 years old, at the time.
On September 12, 2012 "The Apartment," an episode of "Paranormal Witness" told the tale of a woman named Jodi Foster, no relation to the actress, and her young daughter, Hannah, who resided in the exact same apartment (#14) at the complex on Parmac Road, where Marie Elizabeth Spannhake lived during the 1970's. The woman and her daughter told a tale that spanned from 1998-2008, in which each had seen the apparition of Marie. The mother had gone through a terrible ordeal by having a series of realistic nightmares that detailed the events of Marie's abduction allegedly by Cameron and Janice Hooker, along with her torture, murder, and the disposal of her body. Jodi believes it was Marie's way of telling her what happened to her. More recently, the story was retold in an episode from season 3 of Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" called "The Ghost in Apartment 14."
According to the nightmares and a later confession of one of the suspects, Cameron and Janice Hooker approached Marie and offered her a ride home in their vehicle. Marie was taken to her residence, where she was drugged and carried back to their car. A box was placed over her head and she was taken to the basement of their home in Red Bluff, where she was sexually abused and tortured. Sometime afterwards, she was strangled and her throat was cut. She bled out and died. Her body was disposed of at night near Highway 44, which was an isolated road, somewhere between Redding and Lassen Park. The numbers 35.76 were spoken during the nightmare indicating how many miles north of Chico she had been taken.
Connections to Jodi's nightmares and the actual case were confirmed with the help of a detective. There was also a confession made by Janice, who was later acquitted. Cameron remains in prison for the kidnapping and torture of another girl, Colleen Stan, who was kept in a box under his bed for 7 years, until she managed to escape. Unfortunately, no official connection can be made to the death of Marie, at this time, until her body can be located. Marie remains missing and without a body to prove her death it is difficult to charge someone for her murder.
Jodi Foster has written a book about her experience entitled "Forgotten Burial." I read the book before I began writing the story for further inspiration and to learn more about the details that were not mentioned in the television show. It was a good story. I highly recommend it. There are two versions of the book because she released a new edition a few years later. I have both versions.
When I first heard this tale, I felt inspired to write a similar story, but this time I thought it would be nice if there was some form of justice dished out to the killer(s). It was my way of giving Marie Elizabeth Spannhake some semblance of justice through my character, Margaret Elizabeth Garrett, who is based on her.
In my version of the story, the missing girl from the past is named Margaret Elizabeth Garrett, as mentioned above. Her initials MEG actually spells out the title of the book. However, they can also be short for the protagonist's name, Megan Forester. Megan lives with her son, Josh, rather than having a daughter. Josh's name is an homage to Jodi's brother's name. In my book, I am using similar details from the actual story, but my story has also been changed in many ways to make it different and more personal for me. Plus, I did not want to simply rewrite Jodi's story. I wanted to make a new story, which I've done.
I would like to thank Jodi for sharing her experience with the world and getting my creative juices flowing. This story is also a tribute to Marie Elizabeth Spannhake. I hope her body can be found someday, so she can finally rest in peace.
Be sure to check out the photo gallery below to see the actual people involved in this cold case file. The images below are NOT my photography and are only used for historical reference.
On September 12, 2012 "The Apartment," an episode of "Paranormal Witness" told the tale of a woman named Jodi Foster, no relation to the actress, and her young daughter, Hannah, who resided in the exact same apartment (#14) at the complex on Parmac Road, where Marie Elizabeth Spannhake lived during the 1970's. The woman and her daughter told a tale that spanned from 1998-2008, in which each had seen the apparition of Marie. The mother had gone through a terrible ordeal by having a series of realistic nightmares that detailed the events of Marie's abduction allegedly by Cameron and Janice Hooker, along with her torture, murder, and the disposal of her body. Jodi believes it was Marie's way of telling her what happened to her. More recently, the story was retold in an episode from season 3 of Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries" called "The Ghost in Apartment 14."
According to the nightmares and a later confession of one of the suspects, Cameron and Janice Hooker approached Marie and offered her a ride home in their vehicle. Marie was taken to her residence, where she was drugged and carried back to their car. A box was placed over her head and she was taken to the basement of their home in Red Bluff, where she was sexually abused and tortured. Sometime afterwards, she was strangled and her throat was cut. She bled out and died. Her body was disposed of at night near Highway 44, which was an isolated road, somewhere between Redding and Lassen Park. The numbers 35.76 were spoken during the nightmare indicating how many miles north of Chico she had been taken.
Connections to Jodi's nightmares and the actual case were confirmed with the help of a detective. There was also a confession made by Janice, who was later acquitted. Cameron remains in prison for the kidnapping and torture of another girl, Colleen Stan, who was kept in a box under his bed for 7 years, until she managed to escape. Unfortunately, no official connection can be made to the death of Marie, at this time, until her body can be located. Marie remains missing and without a body to prove her death it is difficult to charge someone for her murder.
Jodi Foster has written a book about her experience entitled "Forgotten Burial." I read the book before I began writing the story for further inspiration and to learn more about the details that were not mentioned in the television show. It was a good story. I highly recommend it. There are two versions of the book because she released a new edition a few years later. I have both versions.
When I first heard this tale, I felt inspired to write a similar story, but this time I thought it would be nice if there was some form of justice dished out to the killer(s). It was my way of giving Marie Elizabeth Spannhake some semblance of justice through my character, Margaret Elizabeth Garrett, who is based on her.
In my version of the story, the missing girl from the past is named Margaret Elizabeth Garrett, as mentioned above. Her initials MEG actually spells out the title of the book. However, they can also be short for the protagonist's name, Megan Forester. Megan lives with her son, Josh, rather than having a daughter. Josh's name is an homage to Jodi's brother's name. In my book, I am using similar details from the actual story, but my story has also been changed in many ways to make it different and more personal for me. Plus, I did not want to simply rewrite Jodi's story. I wanted to make a new story, which I've done.
I would like to thank Jodi for sharing her experience with the world and getting my creative juices flowing. This story is also a tribute to Marie Elizabeth Spannhake. I hope her body can be found someday, so she can finally rest in peace.
Be sure to check out the photo gallery below to see the actual people involved in this cold case file. The images below are NOT my photography and are only used for historical reference.
True Crime Photo Gallery
