The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer

MARIE CLAIRE’s top true-crime book of 2021. The memoir of a woman whose family friend was a serial killer—Tony Costa—nicknamed the “Hippie-era Jack the Ripper.” The tumultuous 1960s: the age of hippies, rock ’n’ roll, and drugs. Little Liza has not the best mother. From her she hears only swearing and neglect, while her mom is more concerned with finding new men than raising her daughter. But everything changes when a “nanny” appears in their family—a local handyman, Tony Costa, who sometimes looks after Liza and her younger sister. He drives the girls around in his van, buys them sweets, and for the first time Liza receives compliments—from someone, not blows and slaps. Liza and her sister think Tony is a “great guy.” But what they don’t know is that their “nanny” is, in fact, a serial killer. Tony Costa, nicknamed the “murder carpenter” and the “Hippie-era Jack the Ripper,” led an antisocial life, killed and dismembered the girls he became close to through their shared drug use. As a child, Liza didn’t understand that the mysterious murders whispered about by adults were Tony’s doing—but once she grew up and realized it, she plunged into investigating his crimes. The “nanny” is part true crime, part her own memories—this is a book about a vicious serial killer who, by a twist of circumstances, became a charismatic “nanny” for a small girl craving love and attention. “Gripping, sharp, and heartbreaking… In their book, the authors go beyond mere entertainment and explore dysfunctional families. In the end, it’s Liza Rodman’s story of survival—and her strength of spirit.” — The Bookreporter “A convincing and delicate hybrid of memoir and true crime—ruthlessly direct.” — The Independent “An intimate, personal first-person look and an easy-to-read style—glues you to the pages!” — Booklist “Gripping… You won’t be able to put it down.” — Publishers Weekly