Causeway is almost entirely fictional but each story is based upon events actually experienced by Harry Stone, a much travelled islander himself and a self-confessed people-watcher. The story prompts may be people like Brogan or Shutty, places such as the dunes of Tray Bay or the ancient village of Solas, or events such as the great storm or the discovery of the chessmen. Whatever the stimulous for each story their development is sure to involve a mystical element, a reference to the 'island magic' which Harry is convinced exists in all the islands he has ever visited. Although each story stands alone, the threads of Causeway are slowly drawn together as the reader becomes aware of evolving interelationships in the narratives, and character links emerge with powerful, disturbing, but ultimately hopeful conclusions.