Riley Mills

It is 1970 and Riley Mills is in his senior year of high school in rural Bagley, Wisconsin. The town is decaying. The Vietnam war is raging. Riley is trying to find a life of meaning, but detached parents and teachers offer little help. Riley's adventures with friends make it a challenging, roller-coaster ride. With graduation approaching, Riley knows he needs to “get a plan.” As determined as ever to escape his humble beginnings, a maturing Riley decides that “now is the time” to make something of himself. Will he triumph, or is he destined to languish in anonymity? 


With true authenticity, this book celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. Riley’s provincial narrative is humorous and insightful. At times, his struggles are heart-breaking. In summary, this is a keenly observed, often gritty, literary work.