Dead Man's Pose

Yoga Mat Mysteries

De: Susan Rogers, John Roosen

Narrado por: Rupert Degas

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!

©2022 Susan Rogers and John Roosen (P)2023 Susan Rogers and John Roosen

Reseñas de la Crítica

2023, AudioFile Earphones Award, Winner

"Dead Man’s Pose: Yoga Mat Mysteries by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is a superb work of crime fiction with a gentle touch of clean romance. The story takes us to Sydney, Australia, where we meet Elaina Williams, a yoga teacher. Elaina is just about to start her yoga class when Mario Vincenzi, Elaina’s yoga student, wants to tell her something important. Elaina suggests that they talk after the session, but at the end of the lesson, she finds Mario dead on his yoga mat. Feeling that she owes it to Mario to find out the cause of his death, Elaina joins forces with Ric, a well-connected professional photographer who is also Elaina’s yoga student. Before long, Elaina and Ric find themselves in a perilous maze of adventures leading them to jaw-dropping discoveries. But will they succeed? As a fan of crime fiction, suspense thrillers, and adventures, I never had a dull moment listening to Dead Man’s Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen. I enjoyed the scenic landscapes of Sydney and the depth to which Susan and John portrayed the characters, making them relatable and memorable. I also enjoyed a taster of Cobra Pose, the second book in the series, thoughtfully included at the end. But most of all I liked the suspenseful plot enhanced by the sophisticated subterfuge of Elaina and Ric’s investigation and how the erudite horizons of the authors translated into a variety of themes, ranging from yoga poses to insights into casino operations and Michelangelo's paintings. All in all, listening to this audiobook was highly rewarding for me as a “reader.” This audiobook was narrated by Rupert Degas, an award-winning British-Australian actor who excelled in the brilliant job of bringing this captivating story to life. The sound quality is excellent, and Rupert’s distinct and well-paced narration is enriched with awesome professional acting that clearly distinguishes the characters by their accents, professional and cultural backgrounds, and emotions. Listening to this audiobook made me feel as if I were watching a film, with the added privilege of the freedom to imagine how the characters looked and felt, aided by Rupert’s top-class performance. I am delighted that Cobra Pose, the second book of the series, is also narrated by Rupert, and I look forward to my reunion with Elaina and Ric." (Olga Markova, Readers’ Favorite)

Captivating Audio Book

Captivating adventure listening to Dead Man's Pose. I felt like I was traveling along to new interesting places while trying to figure things out and enjoying listening to the different voices.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

All-time favorite audiobook!

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

A Captivating Mystery

"Dead Man’s Pose" by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is a captivating mystery audiobook revolving around a yoga instructor, Elaina, investigating a client's mysterious death. The plot is intriguing, with numerous twists, complex characters, and a blend of dark humor and suspense. Rupert Degas' stellar narration enhances the enthralling, noir-themed story. The plot is reminiscent of traditional whodunnits yet offers a fresh take that appeals to both mystery genre novices and seasoned fans. Susan Rogers and John Roosen are exceptional authors whose engaging crime narratives promise more thrilling reads. This audiobook comes highly recommended for its irresistible plot and top-notch narration.

What a ride!

This is an excellent murder mystery with great characters brought to life superbly by the narrator! Lots of fun with twists and turns, there is never a dull moment. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, cobra pose. Highly recommend this fun listener!

A must-listen

Authors, Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s, debut installment in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series is a baffling mystery with a memorable lead and exotic setting.

Elaina Williams is content teaching yoga at her newly-opened yoga school. But when one of her students, Mario Vincente, dies suddenly during the class, Elaina is plagued with guilt. The reason: Mario urgently wanted to talk to Elaina before his death. She unites with her another student Ric and begins to look into Mario’s personal life. They soon discover Mario was neck deep in some shady business. As they continue their investigation, the pair realize they are in for more than they bargained for.

The gradually budding romance between Elaina and Ric is artfully handled, and the authors keep the core mystery breezing along, sprinkling it with surprising revelations and fully realized characters. Narrator Rupert Degas gives listeners a remarkable performance. He projects a range of emotions, varying his pace and pitch to portray the personalities of the diverse cast who range from a sharp detective to an eccentric academic.

The mean streets of Sydney are authentically portrayed, and the authors deliver a satisfying resolution to the puzzle they construct. Endearing, well-developed lead, intriguing storyline, and a smoothly paced narrative that pulses with mystery and intrigue make this an enthralling tale full of surprises.