International award-winning Crime Noire Dead Man’s Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is available now as an Audiobook
Hello again, dear Audiobooks Friends! Today’s spotlight article is dedicated to Dead Man’s Pose, a Crime Noire international award-winning story from Susan Rogers and John Roosen. This is the first book in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series, but rest assured, the second audiobook is already on the way and a third one has been revealed. Dead Man’s Pose has a runtime of 10 hours and it’s performed by internationally recognized narrator Rupert Degas.
Before writing this article I actually listened to the first hour of Dead Man’s Pose and I can already say that I love both the writing style and the superb narration.
Let’s take a look at the Publisher’s Summary in order to find out more about the plot, and after that I will tell you more about the authors, their creation process and of course, about the narrator.
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 audiobook 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!
I always appreciate when I receive a nicely detailed press release that I can use for these articles.
Susan Rogers and John Roosen are unusual co-authors. Anyone looking at their backgrounds would wonder how they met, how they stayed together, and how they managed to write and produce books. “When writing this book, there were times when disagreements about plot and characters surfaced and created a bit of havoc,’ Susan described. “One time, I was sitting next to John on a plane, and we were discussing possible murder weapons. The passenger in front of us finally stood up and asked, ‘What are you two doing?’”
John further explained, ‘We realized then that our over-enthusiasm about our mystery series and discussion about methodologies for murder are best discussed at home across our own writing table.”
This tale chronicles a spirited yoga teacher who teams up with a dark horse partner seeking closure on the mysterious death of a friend.
With two strong personality types, John and Susan have built a gummy web of intrigue against the backdrop of Sydney, Australia, one of the world’s most picturesque cities. While scenic locations play a part in this work, there are also the sleazy backstreets, dubious casino activity with high-stakes gamblers and a suspicious boat named the High Roller.
“Connecting the dots and unravelling complexity is something we’ve done in our past,” Susan says of their writing style. “Most of the time, and almost miraculously, we have maintained our sense of humour.”
With the international award-winning book Dead Man’s Pose now in audiobook format, John described the process as long, but rewarding. “The narration was performed by the internationally acclaimed and recognized voice actor Rupert Degas. SquareSound from Melbourne, Australia handled the technical compilation for the audiobook.”
Susan says the process is worth it and always knew the book had a ‘stage presence’ when they read it out loud to each other.
“Our narrator Rupert Degas, formerly of the United Kingdom and now living in Australia, has brought the cast of quirky characters alive.” Susan says. John describes Dead Man’s Pose as “a gin fizz cocktail with a mix of suspense, mystery and romance.” With this audiobook, “there is a lot of extra fizz!” he concludes.
Dead Man’s Pose is presented in a classy crime noir package mingling snappy dialogue, revealing hidden clues, and interlacing the twists and turns for readers to explore. The story embraces the stunning Australian scenery but adds its own humor and irony. “We have this passion for storytelling which is now wrapped up in the finest art of voice performance.”
Would they go through the arduous process again? “Absolutely,’ says John. “We are nearly done with the audiobook version of the next in the series – Cobra Pose – this time a mystery thriller about hacking.”
Now, let me introduce you all to our fascinating authors:
What do a woman, who used to train military personnel how to shoot straight, and a man, skilled at eradicating all sorts of hazardous materials safely, have in common? Both were designated law enforcement officers and they have now written two ‘knock ’em dead’ books … together!
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, the Americas 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. With Susan, John delivered international security and safety training against terrorism to ports in the Pacific. As a change-up, John switched careers to chasing pirates and duelling with a con artist extraordinaire on a remote South Pacific island. 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 her life took a major detour when she became a commissioned naval officer. As a designated law enforcement officer, she was boarding ships at sea and conducting structural and safety inspections. In addition, she developed civil defence programs for civilian populations. With John, Susan orchestrated sting operations. Susan also ran extensive weapons training programs and managed emergency responses for natural and man-made disasters. Susan worked in Australasia, the Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East. While posted in Abu Dhabi, she ran health and safety operations for multi-billion-dollar projects along the Persian Gulf. In her spare time, she directed the restoration of a Presidential yacht. In between, she has written several books and revamped a South Pacific maritime service. 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 hatched their Yoga Mat Mysteries series. Dead Man’s Pose is first in the line-up and has an audiobook available. Cobra Pose is the second book, with its audiobook planned for release shortly. Next will be Tree Pose – coming soon!
In addition to many five star reviews, Dead Man’s Pose received several international awards. This included: Best Mystery (Fiction) – Silver Award; Best Cover Design (Fiction) – Finalist Award; and Fiction – Intrigue – Finalist Award.
I will return with a full review for Dead Man’s Pose in late June or early July, but until then, take care, stay safe, and don’t forget, always listen with your heart!
We hope that you enjoyed this article and, if you did, that you will share it with your friends on social media.
I also post reviews or articles at the author, narrator, or publisher’s request, so, if you are in need of assistance in finding the perfect narrator for your book or just want to have a review on my blog, do get in touch.
Victor Dima
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