Press Release
San Francisco, January 28, 2025 – Siblings Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows are excited to announce the release of their debut crime thriller, Muddy the Water, to be published by Koehler Books on January 28. The novel, drawing on their experiences in the newsroom, delivers a gripping and authentic tale of murder, intrigue and stolen identity in a world where truth is often elusive. Early reviews from journalists Katie Couric and Peter King and many others are stellar.
Shown from three perspectives, killer, detective and reporter, Muddy the Water brings readers inside the newsroom of a struggling small newspaper on the bucolic South Carolina coast and speaks to the concept of identity—and whether anyone ever shows their true self.
With their backgrounds in journalism, Jessica and Matt bring a level of realism to the novel that sets it apart from other thrillers. Their firsthand experience with high-pressure newsroom environments and the ethical dilemmas faced by reporters is woven into the story, creating a richly detailed backdrop where fact and fiction collide. Matt currently works as a reporter who covers the San Francisco 49ers for The Athletic.
“We wanted to be as authentic as possible when it comes to the expectations and challenges for someone just starting a career as a journalist,” Jessica said. “We also treated the book as if we were researching a newspaper story – interviewing experts on everything from autopsies to aquatic biology.”
“Sure, this book is about newspapers and identity,” Matt said. “But it’s also a lively detective story, not so much a whodunit but a will-he-get-away-with-it."
Early reviews of Muddy the Water are excellent. Journalist Katie Couric wrote, ““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?"
The San Francisco Book Review said, “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.”
Author Kathleen West said, “Muddy the Water is a spellbinding thriller that marks the arrival of a sterling crime fiction author duo.”
Fans of fast-paced crime fiction, gripping newsroom drama, and complex characters will find themselves captivated by this new release from two journalists-turned-authors. Get them on your schedule.
