The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer

Written by Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan

Narrated by Andi Arndt and Aida Reluzco

This chilling true story and “harrowing account of the evil that can lurk around the edges of girlhood” (Carolyn Murnick, author of The Hot One)—reminiscent of Ann Rule’s classic The Stranger Beside Me—follows a little girl longing for love who finds friendship with her charismatic babysitter, unaware that he is a vicious serial killer.

Growing up on Cape Cod in the 1960s, Liza Rodman was a lonely little girl. During the summers, while her mother worked days in a local motel and danced most nights in the Provincetown bars, her babysitter—the kind, handsome handyman at the motel where her mother worked—took her and her sister on adventures in his truck. He bought them popsicles and together, they visited his “secret garden” in the Truro woods. To Liza, he was one of the few kind, understanding, and safe adults in her life.

But there was one thing she didn’t know; their babysitter was a serial killer.

Though Tony Costa’s gruesome case made screaming headlines in 1969 and beyond, Liza never made the connection between her friendly babysitter and the infamous killer of numerous women, including four in Massachusetts, until decades later.

Haunted by nightmares and horrified by what she learned, Liza became obsessed with the case. Now, she and cowriter Jennifer Jordan reveal “a suspenseful portrayal of murderous madness in tandem with a child’s growing loneliness, neglect, and despair, a narrative collision that will haunt” (Sarah Weinman, author of The Real Lolita) you long after you finish it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797118253

Liza Rodman

Liza Rodman attended the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in the late 1970s and received her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in creative writing from Vermont College in 2005.  She has balanced life as a mother, stepmother, writer, and tax accountant for more than thirty-five years. Liza and her husband have three children, five grandchildren, and live outside Boston. The Babysitter is her first book.

Reviews for The Babysitter

[vesikayexp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m speechless. This book definitely needs to be more popular. The story was told with so many details and the fact that it’s a true story, it makes it even more interesting and dark. I actually had to stop in some chapters so I can take a break because it was a lot to take. Yes a 100% read this book.

[Kathleen Ortenzi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not sure if I had a favorite but
Held my attention

[Mary Dillane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A compelling true crime story, well worth a listen or a read.

[Lori TAYLOR · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written loved it it’s details, realistic, and will put together

[Misty Whitacre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written ? I hope this helps somebody!!!!! Thank you

[Kelly Buchanan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great writing and storytelling .
Kept me listening till the end.

[Lianne Azevedo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved it. Couldn’t stop listening till it was finished. Love how the author melded the two storylines together.

[Sully Alvarez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you enjoy listening to true crime podcast, you will enjoy listening to this book. I never knew much about these murder so it’s pretty interesting to hear about from the point of this girl.

[Soliven · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't recommend this book enough! The case is thrilling and the narrative brilliantly unfolded into a very satisfying ending. This is a book that you can't put down until the very end. Absolutely keep this one in your saves.

[Marlene Valdez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story! Sad, riveting, interesting and shocking. Couldn’t wait for the next errand so I could listen in my car. Highly recommend!

[Samantha Leavell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The daily life of a serial killer and a 'coming of age' tale intertwined.

[Lisa Higgins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a good listen. Interesting with the two different voices.

[Cyndi · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It's just bad. Would have done well as a podcast perhaps. Also- though the doc described in this wasnt scrupulous the description of him being a “D.O.” as degrading, as less than an MD is unfortunate at best and reckless at worst. DOs and
MDs are physicians!! Felt as if author was reaching for reasons a serial killer became a serial killer. Also made the remaining subjective material suspect.