Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Introducing Borderline by Graeme Cumming and avocado and lemon bread #fiction #Borderline #baking
Posted: September 10, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized 63 Comments
Today, I have a special treat for you. A review of Graeme Cumming’s new thriller, Borderline, and a short Q&A with this excellent author.
Borderline by Graeme Cumming
Blurb
When the system isn’t working, work outside the system.
A search for a missing man thrusts Rand Scott into the dark realms of homelessness, drug dealing and sex clubs.
Kirsty Moore wants to find her brother Johnny, a one-time rock star.
The police also want him – for murder.
And there are others looking who don’t play nicely.
A simple job turns deadly as Rand uncovers a world where money talks louder than the screams of innocent bystanders.
My review
I don’t read a lot of thrillers as I find the plotlines tend towards being repetitive. I am really glad I gave Borderline a chance as it is not the run of the mill thriller. Using the dark scene of sex clubs as a spring board, this book delves into the world of organised crime in Britain that reaches right up into the top echelons of the police force. It stretches into the murky waters of fear of job losses and reprisal being used as a tool to keep police colleagues from taking action against the corruption. The main character, Rand, is a victim of such manipulative reprisal and his unjust treatment has helped mould his attitudes and character. There is a great deal going on in this novel which also sends tendrils into the world of hard core environmentalists who will cross legal lines in pursuit of their cause.
There are two areas, in my mind, that differentiate this book from its peer group. Firstly, the excellent characterisation. The author has depicted various characters with a clear and brutal honesty that cuts to the bone of human nature and fallibility. Rand, a man whom the system has failed and even savaged, has a deep understanding and sympathy for the homeless and is driven to try and make a difference. The homeless are not invisible to him, as they are to many of the well fed workers of the world, he sees them clearly and understands the hopelessness of their situations. He tries to make a difference. His assistant, Hazard, a war veteran who has experienced homelessness, is one of the people Rand has helped and it has changed her life and turned her into his best friend.
Kirsty, a woman with whom Rand has a fleeting relationship and who asks for his help leading into the plot of the book, is also depicted with fearless accuracy. The author has delved deeply into human nature and effectively depicted the reality of conflicting emotion and manipulated trust. Even Elizabeth, who only makes a few sporadic appearances in the book, is very human in the eyes of the reader. You really hope these women can find a way out of the mess they’ve made of their lives and can find a better path.
The second differentiating factor for me with this book, was the number of topical political and social issues the author seamlessly wove into this story. It was not overwhelming, it was gratifying to see such topics given a good airing. After all, life does not come in separate little boxes and we are all confronted daily with all of these overwhelmingly appalling factors of modern life.
In summary, this is a fast paced and multifaceted book with excellent characterisations. I highly recommend it.
Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F9R12GB9
Amazon UK purchase link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Borderline-Graeme-Cumming/dp/0957510748
Graeme has two other excellent novels, both of which I have read and enjoyed.
Raven’s Gathering is very dark but is fantastic if you like horror. You can read my review here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RDDP9QUJIC5NW
Carrion is fantasy and I did enjoy it although I don’t read much fantasy. You can read my review here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R854IGQE68C48
Q and A with Graeme Cumming
Tell us a bit about yourself and your aspirations as a writer
As you know, I have written books in the past, though these have been in other genres. My first love, though, is crime fiction, and this is what I’m focusing on for the foreseeable future.
Borderline is the first of a series. That wasn’t my plan, but the main character was too good to use just once, as were the supporting characters – have you got a favourite yet?
Having decided to go down the series path, I was also conscious that it would need continuity, so I wrote books two and three before going back to Borderline and revising it to make sure it fit the stories to come.
As a result, although final drafts are not there yet, the next two in the series should be released comparatively quickly (by my standards anyway). Book two, Renegade, should be out within the next 6 months, and the third book, Suicide, some time next summer.
I feel like I have the bit between my teeth now, so there should be some momentum over the next few years.
I really like the inclusion of the homeless people aspect in your book. What gave you the idea to include this aspect in your novel?
I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the years talking to homeless people. The stories behind their homelessness are varied, but always tragic in their own way.
Relevant to Borderline is the relatively high proportion who came from a military background. I don’t delve too deeply into this. After all, the book is intended to entertain first and foremost. But it did allow me to highlight shortfalls in support for them.
Borderline is the first in a series and, when I came up with the original idea for the main character – and the people around him – it had a kind of pulp fiction feel to it. But I also wanted to include references to the growing inequalities in society. Homelessness is one of the more extreme outcomes.
Hopefully, by providing an entertaining read, I’ve also given readers some food for thought.
Your main character in Borderline is a vegan. What inspired this choice? Are you a vegan or did you research veganism for this book?
I stopped eating meat in 1999 because I wanted a healthier diet. Since then, I’ve become more conscious of animal welfare and went vegan 6 years ago. Animal welfare will be touched on in the next book in the series, Renegade – which should be available within the next 6 months. Hopefully, that’s also told in a way that’s entertaining but might give readers pause for thought.
There is a reason for Rand to be vegan that is relevant to plot, and it harks back to his past life, some of which is revealed in Borderline, but is expanded on in Renegade – so watch this space!
About Graeme Cumming
Graeme Cumming lives in Robin Hood country. He has wide and varied taste in fiction, but a particular leaning towards the darker side – though he’s very pleasant when you meet him. Borderline, the first book in his new crime series was released in 2025 and already gained praise from readers.
When not writing, Graeme is an enthusiastic sailor (and, by default, swimmer), and enjoys off-road cycling and walking. He is a past President and Education Director at Sheffield Speakers Club. He also reads (a lot) and loves the cinema.
For more information about Graeme and his books, you can check his website www.graemecumming.co.uk.
Weblinks:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Graeme-Cumming-1638108329841072/about/
www.twitter.com/GraemeCumming63
https://www.instagram.com/graeme_cumming_author/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2884537
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Graeme-Cumming/e/B00D11DO4E/
Avocado and lemon bread
This recipe is like banana bread i.e. it is sweet. It is not a vegan recipe but it is vegetarian.
Ingredients
430 ml (1 and 3/4 cups) cake flour
310 ml (1 and 1/4 cups) sticky brown sugar
5 ml (1 tspn) bicarbonate of soda
2.5 ml (1/2 tspn) salt
2 medium sized eggs
2 medium sized avocados, mashed
1 medium sized lemon, zested
125 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
60 ml (1/4 cup Greek yogurt
5 ml (1 tspn) vanilla extract
Method
Mash the avocados in a mixing bowl and add the lemon zest. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and then add to the mixture. Add the yogurt and vanilla. Finally add the sugar, mix, and then the flour and bicarb. Mix until combined. Do not over mix, stop when the dry ingredients are combined.
Spoon the mixture into a prepared loaf tin and bake in an oven pre-heated to 180C for 55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
Slice and serve with butter.
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
___________________________________________
Like this post? Are you a fan of this blog series? Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
__________________________________________
This segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Discover more from Writing to be Read
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you for sharing this, Robbie. So pleased you enjoyed the book, and I hope your readers enjoy the avocado and lemon bread!
LikeLiked by 4 people
My pleasure, Graeme. Wishing you much success with this book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This book sounds really good Robbie, and the avocado and lemon bread looks divine 🤗
Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Maggie, I’m delighted you enjoyed this post 🤗🌈
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Robbie
Always my friend 🤗🌈
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Introducing Borderline by Graeme Cumming and avocado and lemon… […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great review and interview, Robbie, and an appealing recipe! Very glad to see that Graeme Cumming’s intriguing book and upcoming book have a vegan character. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
A very under-represented group in crime fiction, Dave!
LikeLiked by 3 people
So true, Graeme! (You might have guessed that I’m vegan myself. 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 3 people
We do seem to stand out from the crowd…
LikeLiked by 3 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
👍🏻
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Dave, thank you. It is a very good book and I liked the vegan aspect too 🌷
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] https://writingtoberead.com/2025/09/10/read-and-cook-with-robbie-cheadle-introducing-borderline-by-g… […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜
LikeLike
Thanks for the recipe, this looks tasty.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Rosie 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Graeme’s book sounds intriguing and I wish him all the best with it. And the cake looks yummy. I have added zucchini to chocolate cake but never avocado. I must try it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Darlene
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Darlene, this simple cake was very popular. The book was excellent.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Really enjoyed reading your review, Robbie. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. Interesting questions too and a tasty recipe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Esther. Graeme is a very good writer.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You can let it go now, Robbie. Otherwise it’ll go to my head!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂🤯
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review, Robbie! I added to my reading list 🙂 The bread sounds yummy!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Denise, this is a great book. I’m pleased you like the recipe 😃
LikeLiked by 3 people
The book/story sounds intriguing, as does the bread…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Annette, it’s a very entertaining book. This simple bread is delicious 😋
LikeLiked by 3 people
That bread looks really good, and another great interview. It does make sense to plan books in a series in context with one another, though I never thought of that aspect before. (K)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Kerfe, it does make sense to plan. I will definitely read book 2 even though I’m not fond of series.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love series and am glad to be beginning in the beginning with everyone.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s great to know, Patty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I thought it made sense – though it did mean a delay in getting Borderline out for public consumption. Hopefully the series will be better for it, though
LikeLiked by 4 people
👍🏻
LikeLiked by 2 people
A great review, Robbie. Thanks for introducing us to this author, and also for the recipe. ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
I enjoyed this book a great deal, Olga.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Avocado and lemon bread! That sounds interesting! And thanks for the book review. I like books that are original and don’t follow the same, tired out storylines.
LikeLiked by 3 people
E too, Dawn. Originality and uniqueness earn high marks from me 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a very thoughtful author Graham is. Tackling the realities of sides of life most of don’t know much about or strive to avoid is a challenge.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is an eye opening book. We have an enormous homeless person problem in SA but the roots of our issues are very different from the UK issues. The US is mote like the UK. You have to understand root causes before you can find solutions and few spend time really considering the matter. I like that Graeme cares.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have a large homeless problem in our area. I feel it stems from the fact that long term hospitalization for mentally ill patients stopped. We have only one state hospital now and it is over crowded and not well maintained. Itâs more of a punishment than help.
When I was going through the hell of my mental health breakdown I had good facilities and ensurance. No more.
Thatâs a big sore spot with me. Sorry, I get ranting about that.
I will be interested to read this book.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am sorry to read about these issues with healthcare in your area, Patty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Homelessness seems to be caused by a whole range of things, but mental health features prominently. I’m so sorry to hear about your own situation, Patty. I hope things have improved for you
LikeLiked by 2 people
🧡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fiction seems like a good way to highlight these things without necessarily standing on a soapbox and ranting. Hopefully the book is entertaining as well, so I’m slipping the messages in surreptitiously… Thanks for your thoughts
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍🏻💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS I have been through the ether to Amazon and downloaded the book on my Kindle
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s great to know, Janet. You’ll like Graeme’s writing. It’s very English 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janet. I hope it doesn’t disappoint
LikeLiked by 2 people
I laughed at myself when I realized this wasn’t a review of a cookbook. Lol. I enjoyed the review of Graham’s book and the excellent Q & A. Some great insights into his writing choices. It’s interesting to me that he wrote in other genres before choosing his first love – crime novels.
And thanks for the recipes, Robbie! 😀
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Diana, that interested me too. I like historical paranormal and all my adult writing is in those genres. I couldn’t ever imagine writing a crime novel. For me, it’s a totally different way of thinking.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree. It is a different way of writing and it takes lots of planning, I think. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
This book sounds very cool.
Where I live is surrounded by homeless. A couple of homeless acquaintances use our address for mailing.
Graeme is onto something spreading social consciousness via entertainment.
Love the vegan thing. I am almost 100% vegan, was 100% vegan for years, since 17 years old, but my bones were disappearing at 50. Adding a bit of non stinky (I hate cheeses) mozzarella and cottage to my diet has stabilized my bones. It doesn’t take much, and I make sure I purchase from small farms that treat the animals ethically.
Yes, I eat all high calcium vegetation I can, and drink calcium/vitamin D orange juice.
I know being vegan, or even just vegetarian increases our sensitivity to the plight of animals on out planet.
That Avocado lemon bread looks delicious, and will be easy peasy to do a vegan rendition!
Thank you Robbie, Graeme & Kaye Lynne!
LikeLiked by 3 people
😊💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Resa, I was vegetarian for about 10 years but when I had children I went back to eating some meat. The numbers of homeless here in SA is on the increase.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hello again, Graeme.
Iâm curious. I like the way you handled things with your series. I now, wish Iâd done that.
I have a series going and the second came out so much better than the first, and the third is coming right along like a shining sun.
I want to know, would you simply leave the first book as is and let readers see the full growth, or would you fear leaving it because people might not go to the subsequent books to follow?
I rewrote my first memoir which too may be a series of books when I get brave enough to write it and the result was amazing. People talked about how much better the rewrite was and it did well especially in the blindness community.
Iâd love to pick your brain about this.
Sorry.
Patty L. Fletcher
About Patty L. Fletcher
Updated November 2024
Patty L. Fletcher is a woman of passion and exploration.
She studies the art of manifestation and is a seeker of knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with it when itâs learned.
To learn more visit: https://pattysworlds.com/about/ https://pattysworlds.com/about/
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s difficult to say what’s right and wrong with writing, Patty. Ultimately, you’ve got to do what you feel comfortable with. My approach was taken because I have a fairly analytical mind and I tend to think about the consequences of doing certain things. That led to me taking a long time to get Borderline published. If I’d ignored the next couple of books and focused just on Borderline, it would have been out at least two years ago. So, there are pros and cons. If you do want to contact me directly, I’m more than happy to expand on this if you feel it will help. The best way to do that will be via the contact page on my website: Contact the author Graeme Cumming
LikeLiked by 2 people
Understood! I had to reincorporate some bit of dairy, cause my bones were in trouble. We do what we have to.
A friend of mine (rip) was on a new cutting edge cancer treatment and was only allowed meat, chicken, fish and eggs.
NO dairy, fruits or veggies. ?!
Crazy, but I think the planet may be over populated.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I think the planet is very overpopulated. The diet you described sounds very unbalanced.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agree! ♡ · ♥︎ · ᢉ𐭩
LikeLiked by 2 people
Of course the book is cool! Because I’m cool. (Well, maybe not – at least, my kids tell me that!)
As for going non-vegan for health reasons, sometimes you have to do that, even if it doesn’t feel right.
Thanks for your comments.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Welcome, Graham!
You are cool!
Being a vegetarian since teenager hood, then vegan for about 20 years and now almost vegan has been one of the most wonderful things I have ever done for my body, and my spirt.
Keep writing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people