PHOTO: Matt Barrows and Jessica Beebe, the sibling authors behind Muddy the Water, channel newsroom energy into a chilling and award-winning crime thriller.
Siblings Turn Newsroom Grit into Award-Winning Fiction
Matt Barrows and Jessica Beebe discuss their acclaimed thriller Muddy the Water, sharing how journalism, sibling dynamics, and deep research shaped a story that explores identity, deception, and psychological intrigue.
Matt Barrows and Jessica Beebe are the award-winning sibling team behind Muddy the Water, a gripping debut crime thriller that seamlessly blends journalistic insight with psychological suspense. Their novel has earned high praise from readers and critics alike, recently winning the Literary Global Book Award for Debut Fiction. Set against the intense backdrop of a Southern newsroom, the story unravels a chilling tale of identity, deception, and moral ambiguity—all crafted with the precision of seasoned reporters and the flair of born storytellers.
Both graduates of the University of Virginia, Barrows and Beebe share not just familial ties but parallel careers in journalism. Matt has spent more than twenty years covering the San Francisco 49ers, while Jessica’s work as a journalist, editor, and television news producer has taken her from major networks to the White House. Their shared love of storytelling and the tension-filled world of news reporting ultimately became the foundation for their novel.
Barrows and Beebe masterfully blend sharp journalistic insight with rich storytelling, creating a crime thriller that is both authentic and unforgettable.
The idea for Muddy the Water had been simmering since 1997, when Matt moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina, for a reporting job. The eerie drive sparked a thought: what if someone killed him en route and an impostor showed up instead? The concept lingered for decades until the COVID-19 pandemic brought it back to life. A family dinner in February 2020 reignited the conversation. Jessica immediately saw the story’s potential—and within days, she was on the phone with a South Carolina coroner confirming forensic details. The collaboration was officially underway.
The result is a crime novel that explores what lies beneath the surface of professional personas. At its center is Ben Broome, a charismatic yet unnerving figure shaped by undiagnosed psychopathy. The authors dug deep into the psychology of manipulation and self-presentation, asking a fundamental question: Does anyone ever show their true self?
Jessica’s experience in television journalism brought authenticity to the novel’s depiction of newsroom life. “Newsrooms are tumultuous—lots of sweat, stress, and yelling,” she says. The book captures both the chaos and the integrity of reporters chasing down hard truths.
Matt’s early days at the Island Packet, a small yet vibrant newsroom in Hilton Head, provided additional texture. “Everyone was crammed together and there were no secrets,” he recalls. “You knew exactly what your colleague was working on because they were yammering on the phone inches from you.”
One of the novel’s standout features is its multi-perspective structure. Told from the viewpoints of a killer, a detective, and a reporter, the shifting lenses keep readers guessing and emotionally engaged. “It makes the story richer and more layered,” they explain. “Each character interprets events differently, and that contrast is what gives the novel its drive.”
Yet co-writing wasn’t without its quirks. Their process initially divided by character—Jessica writing the female leads, Matt tackling the antagonist—quickly evolved into mutual editing sessions. One early disagreement centered around Jessica’s use of the word seagull, a term Matt, an avid birder, insists doesn’t technically exist. “There is no bird called a seagull,” he informed her, launching into a lecture on herring gulls and ring-billed gulls. Jessica responded by putting a pillow over her head. “We knew then it was going to be a bumpy ride,” she jokes. That ride lasted five years.
Despite such sibling moments, the end result is a novel that is both thrilling and grounded. Their journalism roots ensured accuracy, including consultations with experts in forensics and law enforcement. “We care deeply about solid, factual writing,” they say. “It’s gratifying to be recognized for that.”
With plans for a sequel underway, readers can expect more from Barrows and Beebe. Their advice to aspiring co-authors, especially those with journalism backgrounds, is practical: “Set the ground rules early—who writes what, who edits, how decisions are made. And be patient with each other. Co-writing can double your creativity and maybe even your audience.”
And one more tip, delivered with a wink: “Definitely don’t use the word seagull.”
This article was adapted from an interview with Matt Barrows in the latest issue of Reader’s House.
