Title: Dead Man’s Pose (Yoga Mat Mysteries)
Author: Susan Rogers, John Roosen
Narrator: Rupert Degas
Genre:Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Romance
Book Blurb:
Dead Man’s Pose is a tension-reliever in yoga. Not this time!
A spirited yoga teacher teams up with a dark horse partner (determined to right wrongs); and together they seek closure on the sudden and mysterious death of a friend.
Throw in a cast of quirky characters that includes a savvy outback detective, an eccentric academic, a highly observant (but sight-challenged) witness, an exotic hairdresser, a Falstaffian nomad, crooked officials, and some assorted mob thugs.
Add some heat between the investigators, plus Ric’s wry humour and Elaina’s smart dialogue, while they both tumble into chase scenes to avoid sharks, cruise through a darkened saloon and conduct late-night spying on a ‘high roller’ that floats.
Combine that with word pictures of Sydney, one of the world’s most picturesque cities (which also has sleazy backstreets and a gummy web of intrigue), and you have the cocktail mix of Dead Man’s Pose.
It’s a jigger of Agatha Christie’s compelling plotline; adding two parts of Cherringham Murder Mysteries; shake in the backdrop of Sydney, Australia which acts as another character and garnish with the mood and tempo of a Michael Connelly’s clue-packed charge. Dead Man’s Pose has all the classic hallmarks of a whodunit genre … But presented as a gin fizz romantic mystery with extra fizz.
Your Dead Man’s Pose eBook is just a click away. Hungry for more? Dead Man’s Pose is first in the Yoga Mat Mysteries’ line-up. Second in the series (now online) is Cobra Pose. Next will be Tree Pose – coming soon!
Watch the book trailer:
My Review:
Story Impressions –
Dead Man’s Pose is a mystery/suspense that’ll whisk you to Australia and stretch your imagination. I love a good mystery to sink my teeth into, especially one that’s set in an exotic locale. This audiobook is set in Australia, and I got to experience an Aussie vacation while reading. The descriptive narration is lush with its intricate knowledge of Sydney right down to the best coffee shops and the slang. The deep POV allows the reader to become a part of the story. The plot moves at a steady pace with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I connected with both Elaina and Ric while trying to solve the mystery before they did. There’s a full cast of characters to interact with which added such depth to the overall story. The yoga vernacular is 100% accurate and I liked the interesting way the authors used yoga throughout the audiobook.
If I were to sum up Dead Man’s Pose, it’s a mash-up of classic noir with mystery and a touch of romance in the heart of Australia. Brilliant and original, I can’t wait to read more from this immersive series.
Narrator’s overall voice – Rupert Degas has a gift for bringing stories to life through his interpretation. I think his voice works really well for one of my favorite books of all time. He genuflects the mysterious subject matter and the setting using a variety of inflections and tones. Does the narrator fit the characters? Characters so real and accurately portrayed, you'd think you were experiencing it for yourself. So yes, the narrator fits these characters, even the criminals. Narrator’s reading style – His reading style is professional and unforgettable. He uses different voices for each character in addition to the narrator to make the story come alive. Narrator’s impact on reading experience – Rupert Degas makes Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s impactful suspense come alive. It’s a wonderful partnership and makes for a remarkable listening experience. Narrator’s pacing – The pacing is well done with just the right amount of dramatic flair. Audiobook flow – The audiobook flows really well. There are times when I got so caught up in the story, I stopped what I was doing, like work. What makes this audiobook unique – The different voices Rupert Degas uses make this a unique listening experience. His talent for orating really comes across in this audiobook. Would I recommend this audiobook – YES! It’s one of my favorite books of all time and with the help of Rupert Degas, this has become my all-time favorite audiobook.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biographies:
About the Authors
John Roosen started his career as a biologist, served as a commissioned naval officer and environmental emergency specialist in the United States, and has lived and worked in Australasia, Antarctica and the Middle East. At a moment’s notice, he would respond to chemical and refinery plant explosions, deal with rocket fuel plant meltdowns and dismantle illegal drug labs. John worked in the Middle East on a number of projects in Iraq, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and several conflict zones and other locations. As a change-up, John switched careers to chasing pirates and duelling with a con artist extraordinaire on a remote South Pacific island as the Commissioner of Maritime Affairs. In between, he organised jungle expeditions and deep-sea scuba diving. However, John’s experience extends beyond responding to cataclysmic disasters and includes mastering the intricacies of making soufflé omelettes without burning the edges.
Susan Rogers already knew she was a writer at age six, but as an adult she took a major detour in becoming a commissioned naval officer and a designated law enforcement officer. She has conducted sting operations, run extensive weapons training programs and directed the restoration of a Presidential yacht. In between, she has written a number of books. Susan’s work has taken her into government operations in the United States, Australasia, the South Pacific and the Middle East. She has run health and safety operations for multi-billion-dollar projects in Abu Dhabi and worked for engineering and environmental firms in the Middle East on projects across the region. She also revamped a South Pacific maritime service with responsibilities for local trade vessels and an international fleet servicing the maritime industry. Susan continues to write: whether braced against the hull of a sailing vessel on a hard tack, during a crossing of the Middle East’s empty quarter in a Mini, or bouncing around in a troop carrier in Australia’s outback.
After writing Surviving Paradise about their life in the South Pacific, John and Susan created the concept of their mystery series. Dead Man’s Pose is first in the Yoga Mat Mysteries’ line-up, with Cobra Pose as the second in the YMM series (online February 2023). Next will be Tree Pose – coming soon!
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.yogamatmysteries.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/YMysteries
Reviewed by: Nancy