In the heart of a shattered Los Angeles, ravaged by an earthquake's fury, Roy Cooper finds himself an unintentional hero in the twisted narrative of "Shaker" by Scott Frank. Cooper, a New York hit man with ice in his veins, was merely looking to execute a job in the chaos-ridden city. However, fate had other plans when his quest to find his lost car thrusts him into a violent altercation, saving a life but inadvertently landing him in the crosshairs of the city's most dangerous elements. As the dust settles, Roy's obscure deed catapults him into an unwelcome spotlight, making him the target of a sprawling network of adversaries, all while he grapples with the unintended consequences of his actions. Scott Frank weaves a tale as unpredictable as the aftershocks of the quake that sets the stage for this darkly humorous and gripping debut novel. "Shaker" is not just a story about crime; it's a deep dive into the complexities of heroism, identity, and survival in a city that eats its saints and sinners alike. With a cast of characters as compelling and diverse as Los Angeles itself—from a detective fighting her demons, to a sociopathic gangbanger with a vendetta, and a mentor whose influence knows no bounds—Frank crafts a narrative that is as multifaceted as it is mesmerizing. Roy Cooper's journey from hit man to hunted hero is a masterclass in tension, character, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in the city of angels.