 A story about the intricacies of small town, blue-collar American life, centered around the misadventures of one, Miles Roby, manager of the Empire Grill. Trapped within the confines of Empire Falls, Maine since the death of his mother, Miles has been unable to sever his many ties to his dilapidated hometown, including his reformed brother, his lay-about father, his soon-to-be-ex-wife, and their intelligent, if awkward daughter, Tick.