Book Review- Spencer Schneider's Manhattan Cult Story

Thank you to Libro FM for an audio arc of Spencer Schneider’s Manhattan Cult Story: My Unbelievable True Story of Sex, Crimes, Chaos, and Survival. The audio book is narrated by Austin Rising.

Young, professional, and successful Spencer Schneider was recruited to joined a cult called “The School.” Initially, “The School” seemed to be a self-help style class that was attended by rising stars in fields such as law, medicine, and finance. The attendees were hand-selected for this secretive program and they were told that they were not only lucky to have been picked, but to keep it a secret from everyone in their lives. Through psychological manipulation, Schneider believed that this was a benefit to his life and not a cult, even though he noticed more sinister aspects of the organization as his involvement grew deeper.

Former actress, Sharon Gans was the head of “The School.” She could be a harsh critic and formidable character that had her followers catering to her every need, including providing labor for construction on her properties, and fearing upsetting her. There were many rules to follow and a single misstep could have followers ousted from the organization. Gans even orchestrated marriages and divorces within group members, separating children from parents in the process. She was often cruel to her followers, yet maintained control over them.

A member of the cult for several decades, Schneider details how he became trapped and what ultimately gave him the courage to leave. He shares how educated and successful people could become involved in a cult, showing how no one is immune from psychological manipulation.

I found Schneider’s memoir to be fascinating. This was my first time hearing about this particular cult and I love anything true crime. It’s interesting to note that although Gans has died and a lawsuit was filed against her estate by former cult members, a form of “The School” is still active.

I wish I had read the book, rather than listening to the audio version. I did not care for the narrator, especially when he did women’s voices. It was very grating and distracted from Schneider’s writing. I recommend Manhattan Cult Story, just not the audio book version.

Book Review- Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan's The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer

The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer is a chilling 1960’s true crime book set in Cape Cod and is recounted by Liza Rodman with the help of her co-writer Jennifer Jordon.

Rodman had a chaotic childhood, raised by a neglectful mother who worked summers at a local motel. The motel’s handy-man, Tony Costa, was a young, charming man, who Rodman’s mother trusted to occasionally watch her young daughters.

Although Costa never hurt Rodman or her sister, Costa exhibit odd behavior, including taking the girls out to the woods where bodies of his victims were later discovered. Rodman didn’t even realize the truth about Costa, until she inquired about him when she was an adult, just thinking that he had drifted out of their lives. Many of Costa’s victims were not much older than the girls and many had been brutally dismembered.

The Babysitter is part an exploration of Costa’s life and his crimes, but it is also part memoir with Rodman analyzing the events of her childhood. It’s surprising to admit, but Costa’s murders almost seem less shocking than the neglect and cruelty of Rodman’s mother. It makes sense that the girls would find comfort in Costa, an adult who gave them attention and who was kind. Rodman explores this juxtaposition of finding out that someone whom she had fond memories of, was also a monster. It makes her question her own recollections of her childhood and her ability to judge and trust others. Why couldn’t she see Costa for the monster he was? The revelation of Costa’s crimes and Rodman’s inability to truly see him, shakes her to her core.

The Babysitter is a fascinating and shocking book. A must-read for true crime fans.