In the Hot Seat: An Interview with Bartholomew

Meet Bartholomew.

At twenty years old, Bartholomew has spent almost his entire life inside a deeply religious commune, where the outside world is viewed with suspicion and every aspect of life is governed by strict rules.

As someone who is neurodivergent, he sees the world a little differently, often noticing details that others overlook, but struggling to understand the motives and unspoken rules that come naturally to everyone else.

When Grace, the only true friend he's ever known, disappears without a trace, Bartholomew is forced to question everything he's been taught. Determined to find her, he steps beyond the only life he's ever known and into a world that is as confusing as it is dangerous.

His journey will test his courage, challenge his beliefs, and force him to decide who he can trust when nothing is quite what it seems.

Before you join him on that journey, here's a chance to get to know Bartholomew a little better.

Ten Questions with Bartholomew

1. Tell us about yourself in one sentence.

Can I have more information? one sentence isn't a lot and I am not sure what to include.

2. What would your best friend say is your worst quality?

Grace says that correcting her about things is extremely annoying.

3. What's your earliest happy memory?

Grace saying she would be my friend when we were kids.

4. What are you most proud of?

I've never let the greenhouse tomatoes die. Not once.

5. Who do you trust completely?

Grace.

6. What's the biggest mistake you've ever made?

I thought following the rules would keep everyone safe. It didn't.

7. What keeps you awake at night?

Wondering if Grace is frightened... and whether she thinks I've stopped looking for her.

8. Have you ever trusted the wrong person?

Yes, Celest and I paid the price.

9. How far would you go to protect someone you love?

Before Grace disappeared, I'd have said there was a line I wouldn't cross.

I don't know where that line is anymore.

10. What's the one question you never want anyone to ask?

If everything you've believed is wrong, who are you?

Thank you to Bartholomew for taking the time to answer my questions. Although... I have a feeling he held something back. Whether he doesn't know the whole truth or simply isn't ready to share it yet, I'll let you decide.

Finding Grace is released on 1 September 2026, and I hope this interview has given you a glimpse of the young man at the heart of the story before his journey begins.

Now it's over to you. Which of Bartholomew's answers intrigued you the most? And if you could ask him one more question, what would it be? Let me know in the comments.