Murray was a longtime editor at S&S, where her authors included Mary Higgins Clark, Sandra Brown, Rebecca Barry, Robert M. Parker, Jr. and Simon Doonan.

Earlier this week, S&S hired Ben Loehnen of HarperCollins and Jofie Ferrari-Adlerof Grove/Atlantic. Both are non-fiction editors, raising the question of whether a big fiction hire might be Karp's next move.

We've heard rumors that Murray wasn't the only one let go at S&S today but we haven't received confirmation. Heard more? Tell us: mfischer@observer.com.