Many of my readers perhaps assume that there is little truth behind this tale and the lead characters. I do guess that most have made a connection between Jessie and a particular CF member that resides in that region. While it is true that the author drew on that, Jessie is mostly a created character.
On the other hand, most probably believe that Alex Maxwell is purely fictional. Much about his story is fictional: his profession and his place of residence, for example. Some of his personality and intellectual ability, and accomplishments are borrowed from the author(as is often the case in fiction). However, one aspect is remarkably close to reality. This author's great-grandmother was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, of Scottish stock. Her father and his people (though not Maxwells) came from the real place of the Stewartry in Gallovidia. In that way, this story was, for the author, a form of ganging hame.
