Pile by the Bed reviews The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz a thriller with horror stylings based around an exclusive writing boot camp with a famous author.

Pile by the Bed reviews Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein – set in 1940s Trinidad and dealing with social inequality and the legacy of colonialism through a range of characters.

Pile by the Bed reviews and recommends Titanium Noir by Nick Harkway in which a classic noir detective deals with a world where the ultrawealthy have become literal titans thanks to an exlusive genetic treatement.

Pile by the Bed reviews Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang a satirical exploration and takedown of the publishing industry and particularly the way in which it deals with race and identity.

Pile by the Bed reviews Descendant Machine by Gareth L Powell, the second book in his Continuance series. A stand alone space adventure that exceeds the promise of the first volume of the series.

Pile by the Bed reviews The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz – three connected short stories charting the development of an Earth-like planet and the battle of its inhabitants with the corporation which owns it.

Pile by the Bed reviews The Ferryman by Justin Cronin a standalone science fiction book that eventually answers all of the mindbending questions it poses through its premise.

Pile by the Bed reviews The Other Side of Her by BM Carroll a domestic thriller partly based on her own experiences as an Irish backbackeroin Australia.

Pile by the Bed reviews The Fall Between by Darcy Tindale. Debut Australian rural crime fiction set in the Hunter Valley.

Pile by the Bed reviews Dying to Know by Rae Cairns, a standalone thriller follow up to her Ned Kelly Award shortlisted debut The Good Mother.

Pile by the Bed reviews Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh – a space opera with some audacious twists that will probably appeal more to YA readers.

Pile by the Bed reviews Ada’s Realm by Sharon Dodua Otoo, a historical fantasy exploring the lives of four women connected through history.

Pile by the Bed reviews and recommends In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune a joyful, quasi-fairtale, science fictional reimagining and inversion of Pinocchio

Pile by the Bed reviews Naked Ambition by Robert Gott a comedy that skewers Australian values and views that revolves around a naked portrait of a politician

Pile by the Bed reviews Thirsty Animals by Rachelle Atalla a day-after-tomorrow pre-apocalyptic clifi novel set in a drought affected Scotland

Pile by the Bed reviews The Curator by Owen King a historical urban fantasy exploring the aftermath of a popular revolt set in an alternate Europe

Pile by the Bed reviews Adrian Tchaikivsky’s return to fantasy with an urban uprising novel City of Last Chances

Pile by the Bed reviews City of Dreams by Don Winslow, historical organised crime follow up to City on Fire, moving the bulk of the action to Los Angeles.

Pile by the Bed reviews Jennifer Saint’s third retelling of Greek Mythology – Atalanta, adopted daughter of Artemis and member of the crew of the Argo.

Pile by the Bed finds Dennis Lehane back in the familiar territory of South Boston in the 1970s in his excoriating new book Small Mercies. Recommended