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Buried Beneath the Boarding House: A Shocking True Story of Deception, Exploitation and Murder
In 1988, detectives from the Sacramento Police Department were called to investigate the disappearance of a man at his last known address, a boarding house for the elderly, homeless and mentally ill. The owner, Dorothea Puente, was an adorable old lady who cared for stray cats and the rest of society’s castaways. She had a strong standing in the community and was celebrated for her selfless charitable work.
The search revealed nothing untoward but one of the guests recalled some unusual incidents leading up to the disappearance. He shared stories about holes being dug in the garden and filled in overnight. Guests who were taken ill and vanished overnight, and a number of excuses why they couldn’t be contacted. This was enough to launch a thorough investigation and on 11th November 1988, the Sacramento Police Department headed back to the boarding house with shovels in hand.
Were they wasting their time pursuing a charming and charitable old lady or were they closing in on a clandestine killer who exploited the most vulnerable members of society? The investigation gripped the entire nation and the answers lay Buried Beneath the Boarding House.
Ryan Green presents a dramatic and chilling account of one of the most bizarre true crime stories in American history. Green’s riveting narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further
The search revealed nothing untoward but one of the guests recalled some unusual incidents leading up to the disappearance. He shared stories about holes being dug in the garden and filled in overnight. Guests who were taken ill and vanished overnight, and a number of excuses why they couldn’t be contacted. This was enough to launch a thorough investigation and on 11th November 1988, the Sacramento Police Department headed back to the boarding house with shovels in hand.
Were they wasting their time pursuing a charming and charitable old lady or were they closing in on a clandestine killer who exploited the most vulnerable members of society? The investigation gripped the entire nation and the answers lay Buried Beneath the Boarding House.
Ryan Green presents a dramatic and chilling account of one of the most bizarre true crime stories in American history. Green’s riveting narrative draws the reader into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of abuse and violence. If you are especially sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read any further
152 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2019
2134 people are currently reading
2091 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Green
32 books490 followersRyan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
September 12, 2020
“To the horror of the police, the watch on the wrist of one of the fresher bodies was still ticking.”
Oh, boy. Sometimes impulse buys pay off! I cannot remember what prompted me to pick this one up, maybe it was the synopsis about the sweet old lady with the cats, maybe it was that intriguing title... but this was a crazy ride that I thoroughly enjoyed!
In 1988, detectives were called to investigate the disappearance of an elderly man from his last known address, a boarding house for the elderly, homeless and people with mental health problems. The owner was a sweet old lady who cared for stray cats and the rest of society’s castaways. But there were also reports of graves being dug late at night... and guests who had fallen ill and seemingly disappeared...
Reading about the life of Dorothea Puente just felt like I was reading fiction. This should be a MOVIE. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, something else came along. It’s quite a tragic story though, especially what Dorothea grows into. To exploit some of the most vulnerable people in society is truly horrendous. And to go relatively unnoticed for so long. Insanity.
However, the book contained a few spelling errors, and for some reason the author didn’t indent new paragraphs? Like... why not? That was a strange choice. But I let these minor grievances slide because he told a great story!
Short and sweet, Buried Beneath the Boarding House delivers a fascinating true crime story in less than 150 pages. 4 stars.
Oh, boy. Sometimes impulse buys pay off! I cannot remember what prompted me to pick this one up, maybe it was the synopsis about the sweet old lady with the cats, maybe it was that intriguing title... but this was a crazy ride that I thoroughly enjoyed!
In 1988, detectives were called to investigate the disappearance of an elderly man from his last known address, a boarding house for the elderly, homeless and people with mental health problems. The owner was a sweet old lady who cared for stray cats and the rest of society’s castaways. But there were also reports of graves being dug late at night... and guests who had fallen ill and seemingly disappeared...
Reading about the life of Dorothea Puente just felt like I was reading fiction. This should be a MOVIE. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, something else came along. It’s quite a tragic story though, especially what Dorothea grows into. To exploit some of the most vulnerable people in society is truly horrendous. And to go relatively unnoticed for so long. Insanity.
However, the book contained a few spelling errors, and for some reason the author didn’t indent new paragraphs? Like... why not? That was a strange choice. But I let these minor grievances slide because he told a great story!
Short and sweet, Buried Beneath the Boarding House delivers a fascinating true crime story in less than 150 pages. 4 stars.
January 14, 2021
Audio 5 Stars
Story 3 Stars
Story 3 Stars
November 17, 2019
Be nice to the landlady
Most people have have heard of Dorothea Puente and her boarding house of horror. However, reading this book revealed how much of the story I didn't know. Mr. Green has given us the complete picture of Dorothea's life and crimes.
The crux of the story is how boarders at Dorothea's house would die and be buried on the property, completely without the other boarders suspecting a thing. However, Dorothea would continue to receive and deposit their benefit checks.
The story is well-written and a pleasure to read.
12
Most people have have heard of Dorothea Puente and her boarding house of horror. However, reading this book revealed how much of the story I didn't know. Mr. Green has given us the complete picture of Dorothea's life and crimes.
The crux of the story is how boarders at Dorothea's house would die and be buried on the property, completely without the other boarders suspecting a thing. However, Dorothea would continue to receive and deposit their benefit checks.
The story is well-written and a pleasure to read.
12
November 26, 2025
This is one of the more bizarre true crime stories out there. I read the book and watched the documentary about it and both have that shock factor of being so unbelievable and bizarre you can’t turn away.
A little old lady, looking all sweet and kind takes in down and out men into her large rambling home to care for them. They get food, lodging and other people to talk to. These are men that have become homeless or had other misfortunes render them vulnerable.
Soon questions are raised by “guests” and certain social services as men seem to just vanish. Our little old lady tells tales like “he took off to start a new life” and a first it’s too hard to imagine anything but.
Incredibly our sweet old lady is anything but. She’s a full blown serial killer psychopath. Twisted and cruel without an ounce of human remorse. This tiny woman manages to bury her kills in various places in her home and it all goes unnoticed for far too long as she doesn’t at all fit the profile for anyone to suspect her of foul play.
It’s a fascinating true story, I’m sure it might be a movie one day and showcases how evil can appear in the strangest of forms. There is historically not many well known female serial killers but this one is worth reading about. An intriguing read.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
A little old lady, looking all sweet and kind takes in down and out men into her large rambling home to care for them. They get food, lodging and other people to talk to. These are men that have become homeless or had other misfortunes render them vulnerable.
Soon questions are raised by “guests” and certain social services as men seem to just vanish. Our little old lady tells tales like “he took off to start a new life” and a first it’s too hard to imagine anything but.
Incredibly our sweet old lady is anything but. She’s a full blown serial killer psychopath. Twisted and cruel without an ounce of human remorse. This tiny woman manages to bury her kills in various places in her home and it all goes unnoticed for far too long as she doesn’t at all fit the profile for anyone to suspect her of foul play.
It’s a fascinating true story, I’m sure it might be a movie one day and showcases how evil can appear in the strangest of forms. There is historically not many well known female serial killers but this one is worth reading about. An intriguing read.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
August 23, 2020
Short and great true crime read. It's well written and Green really dives into who Dorothea Puente was and how sad and depraved her crimes were.
February 14, 2024
Tym razem zaznaczyli, że fikcja również tu występuje. Jednak to już chyba będzie ostatnie spotkanie z autorem. Szału nie ma.
August 23, 2020
Short and great true crime read. It's well written and Green really dives into who Dorothea Puente was and how sad and depraved her crimes were.
December 22, 2020
"I was a good person, once."
When, Dorothea, WHEN??!
When, Dorothea, WHEN??!
January 15, 2021
5 stars audio
2.75 stars story
2.75 stars story
November 23, 2019
I decided to read this book because I used to live a couple of blocks from the boarding house and was quite familiar with the case. In fact, a friend was a psychologist who interviewed Dorothea. The book has no references or evidence of specific research. Some of the facts of the case are simply wrong. For example, he says that her home was in suburban Sacramento. In fact, it's right in the city in a area of town known as Midtown. He offers very few specific pieces of the actual investigation. I found the book to be rather boring and undocumented.
February 5, 2020
I was familiar with this case, but when I saw Ryan Green had written on the topic I knew that I wanted to read his true crime novel about a woman who was killing her boarders, burying them in the yard, and collecting their social security benefits. It is definitely a thrilling read and you are going to wonder how this woman gets away with this for so long! It just seems like no one had the time to pay attention to where all of these people were, or how they were suddenly 'missing' or 'gone away' yet they were still getting funds. Yikes. A fun read.
September 23, 2024
Careful What You Eat
Depending on the situation, maybe accepting tea from a sweet old lady isn't wise. If it doesn't feel right, do not doubt yourself.
This book was a reality check. Be very careful who you trust. Always. Especially when your senses are screaming.
The writing is, as usual, unique and swift. Difficult to set this story aside for even one moment.
Depending on the situation, maybe accepting tea from a sweet old lady isn't wise. If it doesn't feel right, do not doubt yourself.
This book was a reality check. Be very careful who you trust. Always. Especially when your senses are screaming.
The writing is, as usual, unique and swift. Difficult to set this story aside for even one moment.
November 2, 2021
Quando l'ho scaricato da Kindle Unlimited, non avevo minimamente capito che trattasse della storia di Dorotea Puente, per cui mi ha fatto piacere saperne di più su questa serial killer, dopo che avevo conosciuto la sua storia grazie a Ghost Adventures. Scritto bene, scorrevole, chiaramente è un argomento macabro.
January 27, 2024
Jak zawsze - prosto wszystko przedstawione na tyle by zainteresować się sprawą.
January 30, 2024
3,25
Najlepsza z tej serii. Wciągająca, dobrze opowiedziana.
Najlepsza z tej serii. Wciągająca, dobrze opowiedziana.
July 17, 2024
Interesting but a little long and drawn out.
March 21, 2025
nie polubiliśmy się z autorem pomimo fascynujących historii
October 4, 2019
WOW, what a read! The plot was intense, powerful and thrilling and held me captive all the way through! The characters fairly leapt off the page, and the tension was palpable. If you are looking for a book that you just CAN’T put down, then this is DEFINITELY the book for you!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
February 9, 2021
Good condensed version of the Dorothea Puente case in Sacramento. Carla Norton's account (DISTURBED GROUND) focuses on the trial and tends to get long-winded
December 21, 2019
Before there was Aileen Wuornos there was Ms. Dorothea Puentes.
A lot of serial killers start out by having terrible childhoods, and I wasn’t surprised to find out Dorothea was no different. It seemed though that a lot of her problems growing up were caused by her inability to see the world for what it was. She wanted to be what she wasn’t and did what she had to do to make that image a reality. Since this happened in a time when mental illness was taboo to talk about and the scope of mental health was different, I wonder what she could’ve been if she had her illnesses properly diagnosed and cared for.
Image was so important to Dorothea that she literally killed to maintain it.
It's crazy to think that just about anyone can be a killer if their desires push them toward it. Dorothea didn’t murder her boarding house inhabitants for pleasure, she did it for monetary gain. Even though she looked to be nothing more than a sweet old lady with a heart of gold, she was nothing but pure evil.
This audiobook left me with a lot more thoughts than Ryan Green’s books usually do. I wonder a lot about how she maintained such order over the boarding house members, and how she got so many of them to stay quiet about what she was doing for so long.
Regardless, this is a very fascinating audiobook.
Steve White did a perfect job with the narration as always.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
A lot of serial killers start out by having terrible childhoods, and I wasn’t surprised to find out Dorothea was no different. It seemed though that a lot of her problems growing up were caused by her inability to see the world for what it was. She wanted to be what she wasn’t and did what she had to do to make that image a reality. Since this happened in a time when mental illness was taboo to talk about and the scope of mental health was different, I wonder what she could’ve been if she had her illnesses properly diagnosed and cared for.
Image was so important to Dorothea that she literally killed to maintain it.
It's crazy to think that just about anyone can be a killer if their desires push them toward it. Dorothea didn’t murder her boarding house inhabitants for pleasure, she did it for monetary gain. Even though she looked to be nothing more than a sweet old lady with a heart of gold, she was nothing but pure evil.
This audiobook left me with a lot more thoughts than Ryan Green’s books usually do. I wonder a lot about how she maintained such order over the boarding house members, and how she got so many of them to stay quiet about what she was doing for so long.
Regardless, this is a very fascinating audiobook.
Steve White did a perfect job with the narration as always.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
November 5, 2020
🔪 I read this book as part of the monthly #bookishtruecrime read alongs with @spookishmommy. I know, I knowwwww, I’m a little late finishing this one up....but, 2020, am I right? 🤷♀️🤣
I had read about Dorothea Puente and her boarding house complete with a very well fertilized garden on a previous occasion, but this book gave me so much more of the story. Reading this book felt like watching a docudrama on Investigation Discovery. It was incredibly informative, absorbing, and engrossing.
I’m just not sure what it is about true crime; it’s so terrifying, yet so interesting to read. Dorothea Puente’s story starts as one steeped in tragedy, like many serial killer beginnings. As an adult, she rubbed elbows with some of those in high society, and was known as a kind, sweet lady. She ran a boarding house in Sacramento that would take in those that society turned a blind eye to- the mentally ill, the elderly, and the homeless. As time progressed, many of her boarders fell ill and then just vanished! Where did they go? Perhaps the answers lie beneath the boarding house (and in the garden....).
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5- If real human monsters are your thing, you should give this title a try. I just couldn’t believe how someone so seemingly innocent and charitable could turn out to be a villain in disguise after hiding it so perfectly for so long.
I had read about Dorothea Puente and her boarding house complete with a very well fertilized garden on a previous occasion, but this book gave me so much more of the story. Reading this book felt like watching a docudrama on Investigation Discovery. It was incredibly informative, absorbing, and engrossing.
I’m just not sure what it is about true crime; it’s so terrifying, yet so interesting to read. Dorothea Puente’s story starts as one steeped in tragedy, like many serial killer beginnings. As an adult, she rubbed elbows with some of those in high society, and was known as a kind, sweet lady. She ran a boarding house in Sacramento that would take in those that society turned a blind eye to- the mentally ill, the elderly, and the homeless. As time progressed, many of her boarders fell ill and then just vanished! Where did they go? Perhaps the answers lie beneath the boarding house (and in the garden....).
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5- If real human monsters are your thing, you should give this title a try. I just couldn’t believe how someone so seemingly innocent and charitable could turn out to be a villain in disguise after hiding it so perfectly for so long.
July 21, 2022
“Through killing, she could control absolutely everything. She could make the chaos of the world into order. She could make it all fit into her story perfectly.”
•
🔪 [*true crime ratings only reflect the writing, not the events themselves!!] 🔪
•
I am well aware of the horrible lengths people have gone to for money but wow this one was just so messed up. Marginalized members of a community, failed by a system that was meant to protect them, forced to turn to an evil woman who saw their vulnerability as means of a steady income. I was not familiar with this case at all upon buying this book and I think this provided a surprisingly in depth look not only into the crimes committed but also into the makings of this killer. Ryan Green has a talent of balancing the heartbreaking details of Dorothea Puente’s upbringing while also reminding us of her capacity for evil - allowing for absolutely no room to question her guilt. This is the second book I have now read from this author and I will be making it a point of working my way through the rest of his true crime collection. The only points I take off are for minor technical details - however, I was so engrossed in this story I hardly paid them much attention.
•
🔪 [*true crime ratings only reflect the writing, not the events themselves!!] 🔪
•
I am well aware of the horrible lengths people have gone to for money but wow this one was just so messed up. Marginalized members of a community, failed by a system that was meant to protect them, forced to turn to an evil woman who saw their vulnerability as means of a steady income. I was not familiar with this case at all upon buying this book and I think this provided a surprisingly in depth look not only into the crimes committed but also into the makings of this killer. Ryan Green has a talent of balancing the heartbreaking details of Dorothea Puente’s upbringing while also reminding us of her capacity for evil - allowing for absolutely no room to question her guilt. This is the second book I have now read from this author and I will be making it a point of working my way through the rest of his true crime collection. The only points I take off are for minor technical details - however, I was so engrossed in this story I hardly paid them much attention.
August 11, 2022
4.5
This book has very fun narrative despite its gritty subject. It's super fast paced, starting from the neglected childhood of Dorothea Puente's life, to her adolescent where she spent her time in orphanages and foster homes, to her life in prostitution, marriage and the time where she finally settled to be the boarding house landlady. It's very thorough and complete and it also gives such a clear view about Puente's upbringing. Even though it doesn't touch her psychology in detail, it still gives a great picture about it.
For example, when she was a child. She was abused and then in her life this dark past will haunt her and will cloud her judgment, until she was drowned in the despair of her latter life. Do I feel bad about her? Giving her bad childhood, yes, but when she kept doing the same things over and over again even after she was "freed" from it, I couldn't say she has my sympathy (although, given her age, she was certainly productive).
My only issue about this book is the formatting and its ugly font (is it Cambria, I don't know, it feels just ugly and hurts my eyes lol). There's also not an indentation here. Annoying.
This book has very fun narrative despite its gritty subject. It's super fast paced, starting from the neglected childhood of Dorothea Puente's life, to her adolescent where she spent her time in orphanages and foster homes, to her life in prostitution, marriage and the time where she finally settled to be the boarding house landlady. It's very thorough and complete and it also gives such a clear view about Puente's upbringing. Even though it doesn't touch her psychology in detail, it still gives a great picture about it.
For example, when she was a child. She was abused and then in her life this dark past will haunt her and will cloud her judgment, until she was drowned in the despair of her latter life. Do I feel bad about her? Giving her bad childhood, yes, but when she kept doing the same things over and over again even after she was "freed" from it, I couldn't say she has my sympathy (although, given her age, she was certainly productive).
My only issue about this book is the formatting and its ugly font (is it Cambria, I don't know, it feels just ugly and hurts my eyes lol). There's also not an indentation here. Annoying.
October 15, 2020
“Were they wasting their time pursuing a charming and charitable old lady or were they closing in on a clandestine killer who exploited the most vulnerable members of society?”
This was a short true crime book but the case was absolutely insane, especially since I had never heard of it! The reader finds out each detail about Dorothea’s past and murders in intense detail. I think this is a unique true crime novel simply because it adds in fiction aspects as well for some of the scenes/dialogue where there were no witnesses to help tell the story. Buried Beneath the Boarding House is a wild ride, riveting yet endlessly frustrating due to how long she got away with her horrific crimes. 3.5 stars
“To the horror of the police, the watch on the wrist of one of the fresher bodies was still ticking.”
This was a short true crime book but the case was absolutely insane, especially since I had never heard of it! The reader finds out each detail about Dorothea’s past and murders in intense detail. I think this is a unique true crime novel simply because it adds in fiction aspects as well for some of the scenes/dialogue where there were no witnesses to help tell the story. Buried Beneath the Boarding House is a wild ride, riveting yet endlessly frustrating due to how long she got away with her horrific crimes. 3.5 stars
“To the horror of the police, the watch on the wrist of one of the fresher bodies was still ticking.”
October 11, 2020
I had never heard of Dorthea before, and starting the book man, she had a sad and hard life growing up. I felt bad for her.
Until her utter lack of actual care and feeling for others entered the story, which was fairly young. Would she have been different if she had a different upbringing? Possibly.
But even some of the things she did before the boarding houses she ran, still was next level wtf. And then the boarding houses...that was interesting. She did help some people, and seemed to legit put effort into it, but a lot she just robbed blind and murdered.
She was a menace to those who are forgotten.
Until her utter lack of actual care and feeling for others entered the story, which was fairly young. Would she have been different if she had a different upbringing? Possibly.
But even some of the things she did before the boarding houses she ran, still was next level wtf. And then the boarding houses...that was interesting. She did help some people, and seemed to legit put effort into it, but a lot she just robbed blind and murdered.
She was a menace to those who are forgotten.
December 31, 2020
Well, I had to finish one more book before the end of 2020 to complete my challenge and I have to say i finished the way the year was, poorly and just about less than average. I don’t think I read one outstanding book this year. I think I read the least amount of books that I have ever read since doing these challenges. In fact the books I enjoyed most were my rereads.
So this was mediocre. I usually like Green’s writing but I found this one dragged in the middle. Maybe it was just me but I laboured through it.
So this was mediocre. I usually like Green’s writing but I found this one dragged in the middle. Maybe it was just me but I laboured through it.
March 29, 2020
A very quick read, but also very interesting. I saw a documentary about Dorothea Puente a while ago and wanted to know more.
Although the book is short, it details Puente's childhood and earlier years before finally moving on to her horrific crimes.
I enjoyed this book immensely and will definitely enjoy reading more by Ryan Green.
I've given it four stars as I felt the court proceedings could have been more detailed.
Although the book is short, it details Puente's childhood and earlier years before finally moving on to her horrific crimes.
I enjoyed this book immensely and will definitely enjoy reading more by Ryan Green.
I've given it four stars as I felt the court proceedings could have been more detailed.
May 7, 2020
I'd never heard of Dorothea Puente before, and I found this to be a really compelling read. I'd probably say that this is my favourite of the Ryan Green True Crime books. I found it incredulous that she managed to get away with what she did for so long, but also not surprised in the fact that the government or local area never realized.
September 20, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Hard to put down for sure. The only reason I didn’t give it four stars was due to the ending. I feel like the whole book had so much detail yet the trial had one chapter. And not even a long one at that. Would have loved to know more details about everything that was said during it. Other than that, it was an insane story and I loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews