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The news that Harper Collins' CEO of ten years, Jane Friedman, is stepping down—just days after announcing at Book Expo America that she "loves" her job—has been met with surprise from both industry watchers and colleagues, and has triggered speculation that she was ruthlessly cut loose by her boss, News Corp. overlord Rupert Murdoch, due to disappointing company performance. The official line is that she resigned, of course, and the House of Rupe has since announced that Brian Murray, Friedman's No. 2, will take over as CEO effective immediately. No doubt the real story will emerge in the next few days.