Promised Lands: MOLLIE WALSH, An Irish-American Story by Art Petersen follows the life of a historical character while exploring the diverse implications of the Klondike Gold Rush. The story goes back to Mollie Walsh's Irish roots and her parent's migration to the United States. This is the story of an incredible woman of grit and character, punctuated by her experiences from Milwaukee to St. Paul, Minnesota, from the gold-laden creeks of the Klondike to the sands of Nome. Readers are introduced to a woman who quickly became the darling of Skagway. But why would a man shoot her dead? Why would the killer of the sweet Mollie Walsh go free?

In telling the story of Mollie Walsh, Art Petersen offers a vividly drawn portrait of a period in US history, capturing moments like when there was a frenzy of people moving from Yukon and Alaska to the gold-filled creeks of the Klondike. But in the midst of the quest for gold is a story of broken humanity, women treated as things and murdered by men. The author writes about the predicament of women in the late 19th Century with skill and a voice that is passionate. Promised Lands: MOLLIE WALSH, An Irish-American Story is not just the story of a remarkable woman who got assassinated for no just reason, but a tribute to her humanity and determination. It is also a beautifully crafted memoir of the Klondike gold rush phenomenon. The author writes in gorgeous prose and features characters that are intriguing and richly developed. This nuanced biography is rich in its pathos and the author's storytelling skills will hold any reader spellbound.