After more than 40 years in real estate, Suzanne Masella has discovered one universal truth: every open house has a story. Fortunately, most don't involve murder.
Drawing on decades of experience selling homes throughout the East Bay—and more than 20 years living and working in Rossmoor—Suzanne brings an insider's perspective to Open House Homicide, a satirical mystery that skewers real estate culture, media obsession, and the lengths people will go to protect their image. Set in Walnut Creek, the novel follows glamorous realtor Starr Stiletta, whose carefully staged life unravels when she discovers the blood-soaked body of her biggest rival at her Sunday open house—murdered with one of Starr's own "For Sale" signs.
Suzanne's career has included owning and operating her own real estate brokerage for 25 years, serving as East Bay Manager for Redfin, and helping hundreds of buyers and sellers navigate one of life's biggest decisions. A Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Certified Staging Professional, she has spent a lifetime observing the fascinating, funny, and sometimes outrageous personalities that make the real estate world the perfect setting for mystery and comedy.
Originally from Brooklyn, Suzanne has lived in the East Bay for more than 50 years and has been active in the Walnut Creek community as an Arts Commissioner and board member of Civic Arts Programs and the Key Spot after-school program. When she's not writing, she enjoys line dancing, Zumba, and UJam at Rossmoor, and is exploring another lifelong passion by writing, producing, acting in—and occasionally performing—comedy.
Open House Homicide is Suzanne's debut novel, blending sharp humor, memorable characters, and a mystery that proves selling a house can be murder.
