Late at night on a deserted street in downtown Toronto, Amanda Martin is attacked from behind. Suddenly a mysterious woman with a gun steps out to confront the attacker; Amanda manages to escape. Racing for safety, she hears the sound of a single gunshot.

Six months later, news photographer Lily Ross, investigating an unsolved murder, finds herself pulled into a web of danger and violence — an underground network that hides women and children from the men who would harm them. When Lily herself becomes a target, she must choose: Should she reveal what she has found out to the police? Or should she protect the network? Doing so would mean gambling on the network ability to protect her. And what is the network's connection to the murder that drew her into this situation?

A spine-tingling, page-turning mystery, Just Murder explores the issue of violence against women and the courage of women in seeking out safety and refuge. Winner of the 2004 Arthur Ellis Award For Best First Crime Novel.

Jan Rehner is a Senior Lecturer in the Writing Department at York and has won both provincial and national awards for excellence in teaching. Her publications include poetry, a critical study of the work of Gwendolyn MacEwen, a feminist analysis of Infertility, and a text on critical thinking. Her novel, Just Murder, won the 2004 Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel. Her second novel, On Pain of Death won a bronze medallion from the ippy group of independent publishers (2008). Missing Matisse was longlisted for the 2012 ReLit Awards. Jan lives in Toronto and enjoys traveling and amateur photography. She especially enjoys taking pictures of her grandsons, Jake and Kyle.

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