Muddy the Water

How to get away with murder? Hide yourself in the identity of someone who won’t be missed. Become a new person and let the old you sink into the marsh.

By Jessica Beebe & Matt Barrows

A brother-sister writing duo

Praise for Muddy the Water

*Winner of the Literary Global Book Award for Debut Fiction*

*Winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award*

*Winner of the BREW Readers Choice Award and the BREW Seal of Excellence*

* Winner of the Firebird Book Award for Southern Fiction*

*Winner of the Spotlyts Story Award*

“A quiet newcomer at a local South Carolina newspaper has a deep, dark secret. This snappy, suspenseful novel will keep you guessing until the final chapter and will make you wonder -- can anyone be a journalist?" 

— Katie Couric, journalist and author

"Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows have crafted a well-layered thriller that will grip readers from its haunting opening scene to its chilling final twist. The vividly drawn characters, especially the unyielding detective Grimes, provide an emotional depth that elevates the suspense. Readers will enjoy seeing the scenes unfold through the eyes of the villain which adds the feeling of unpredictability that will keep readers on edge. With its masterful storytelling and pacing, Muddy the Water is impossible to put down until the very last page."

—San Francisco Book Review

“Muddy the Water sidled up next to me, promising cozy noir companionship, only to grab me by the lapels with an iron grip. The prose is elegant, the characters are as witty as they are cunning, and the plot-twists made me gasp out loud! A chilling and stunning debut.”

—Elisa Zuritsky, writer of Sex and the City and And Just Like That

"Here’s a headline for you: Muddy the Water is a page-turner full of twists worthy of an A1 lead story. Barrows and Beebe have penned a sly and spirited thriller that turns gumshoe journalist tropes upside down and peeks under the hood of small-town newspaper life." 

— Janelle Brown, NYT Bestselling author of Pretty Things and I’ll Be You

"This fine debut novel from the writing team of Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe skillfully combines all the elements of an engrossing, fast-paced story that keeps the reader's attention glued to every page. It has a beautiful setting in South Carolina's Low Country, multiple story lines that provide a vivid and colorful array of believable characters, and various professional disciplines that lend credibility to the story:  forensics, journalism, law enforcement, and psychology. And of course, there is the story of a psychopathic killer who assumes the identity of his victim. I heartily recommend Muddy the Water to anyone who loves a great story well written.

— John Carenen, prize-winning author of Keeping to Himself

“Muddy the Water sings with crackling dialogue while surprising with clever twists that continually raise the stakes. Propulsive and suspenseful, Muddy the Water is ultimately a murder mystery about if it bleeds, it leads. I loved it.”

— Don Carr, author of the eco-thriller, The Midnight Rambler.

“Muddy the Water is a spellbinding thriller that marks the arrival of a sterling crime fiction author duo. Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows offer the trifecta: a creepy killer, a no-nonsense rogue detective, and an ambitious reporter dying (literally?) for the scoop. I couldn't put Muddy the Water down, and I'm not-so-secretly hoping for a sequel.”

— Kathleen West, author of Home or Away

“A thrilling debut by a brother and sister duo. Fast-paced and funny, Muddy the Water is a cross between The Talented Mr. Ripley and Where the Crawdads Sing. It grabs you by the collar and won’t let go.”

— Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance

“This narrative approach evokes the intricate storytelling of Dashiell Hammett and Michael Connelly. By alternating narrators, the authors enrich the story, providing depth and nuance that elevate it above a standard whodunit. Each perspective brings something vital to the narrative. … Shifting between three protagonists could have easily disrupted the pacing or diluted the impact, but Barrows and Beebe handle it with remarkable finesse. Their seamless transitions and strong characterizations make the narrative cohesion feel effortless, even as the plot hurtles forward with intensity.”

— Literary Titan Book Review

“Muddy the Water is a masterfully crafted thriller that balances character-driven storytelling with gripping suspense. Its unconventional structure, rich setting, and dynamic characters make it a standout read for fans of the genre. Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe deliver a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, leaving readers eagerly anticipating their next collaboration.”

— Los Angeles Book Review

“The plot twists unfold naturally, yet shockingly. Muddy the Water is more than a whodunit; it is a meditation on the nature of identity and the extent to which people conceal their true selves. The interplay between the characters raises questions about justice, morality, and the sacrifices one must make in pursuit of the truth.”

— Literary Global Book Review

“In Beebe and Barrows’ twisty thriller, which gives the perspectives of both hunter and hunted, readers are steeped in Lowcountry life and learn about running a small-town newspaper, fishing boats, and Gullah culture. The authors skillfully depict Ben’s unhappy childhood; he’d envisioned himself and Charlie as a matching set of bicycles, “only one had been cared for and stored inside while the other had been left outdoors to rust.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Libraries seeking murder mystery thrillers that operate on many levels of discovery and intrigue will welcome Muddy the Water for its ability to capture diverse characters, present unpredictable outcomes, and develop a real mystery that raises questions about journalism, identity, and the powers of posers and imposters.”

— Midwest Book Review

“Barrows and Beebe strike thunderously with their debut.”

— Spotlyts Book Review

“There is so much to like—no, love—about Muddy the Water. The story is imaginative, incredibly different from any murder mystery you’ve read. Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe paint vivid scenes with their words, drawing you into a sordid tale with so many twists and turns. I love the characters—particularly the dogged detective and the reporter with so much to hide. Tremendous book. You’ll be transfixed. Matt and Jessica, write a sequel please.”

— Peter King, sportswriter and author