William Martin solidifies his claim as king of the historical thriller in the glittering Bound for Gold (Forge, $29.99, 490 pages), spiriting us back in time to the days of the California Gold Rush. Boston Yankees James Spencer and Michael Flynn embark on a journey for riches that morphs into a nineteenth century version of The Treasure of Sierra Madre. Flashing to the present, it’s left to Peter Fallon to uncover the truth behind their adventures, a truth somehow connected to a mythical lost river of gold that may not be so mythical after all. Martin displays a deft hand in mastering both timelines and the result is an expansive tale drawn on a bold and bright canvas. Bound for Gold is bound for greatness.