Set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era, Ji Yuan, a Chinese youth who immigrated to America with his brother to seek his fortune but has found only disappointment. Now, his brother lays sick, dying, and Yuan must seek the help of two local spirits. But being tricksters, nothing these spirits tells the youth is ever the whole truth. To save his brother, Yuan was uncover the means to return their servant, a hatchet-man, from jail... dead or alive.
 
"Steve Berman, in "Wagers of Gold Mountain," brings together two Tricksters, Chinese and American, a hapless mortal (who is more clever than he lets on), an intelligent and resourceful young woman, and the American West in the days of gold rushes past and incipient Chinatowns in a story with more than its share of atmosphere and a lot of very quiet drama." — The Green Man Review