An Extract From “Magpie” by Georgia Hill
Delighted to welcome Georgia Hill back to my blog to introduce us to one of the new novels she is publishing this year! Magpie is released on 9 September 2025 and Georgia is treating us to an extract …
Thank you to Morton for having me on as guest again. Morton is always incredibly supportive to other writers and I’m proud to have her as a friend.
In a weird twist of fate, I have three new books out this year. My next one, Magpie, out 9th September 2025, is about a terrible injustice, a house which harbours secrets and a heartrending decision which echoes through the centuries. It’s the fourth of my dual narrative historical romances.
Beth Loveday finds herself drawn to a half-timbered building which she buys, intent on building a new business and a new life. It doesn’t go quite to plan!
Here’s an extract. Beth and her sister Lorna have just picked up the keys to Tenpenny House and are exploring, discussing its potential as a shop:
***
“‘And what about that bad boy?’ her sister asked, nodding to the fireplace.
Beth edged closer to the enormous inglenook which dominated the back wall. ‘No idea.’ She sniffed. Burned wood and soot prickled her nostrils. A gout of ash fell making her jump back. ‘Used recently then. Do you think it’ll need sweeping?’
Lorna joined her and slipped an arm through, eyeing the blackened chimney with distrust. ‘Almost certainly.’
‘And do I need rugs to cover these old stone slabs, or will that be a trip hazard? Rush matting would look cool.’ She peered down, ideas beginning to fizz. ‘The flooring could be original, you know. The estate agent reckons the place dates back to at least the seventeenth century, possibly even before. I might research life in seventeenth century Flete when I get the chance.’
‘You and your research. You love your books.’ Lorna laughed. ‘Think you’ll be too busy getting the shop up and running to do any learning.’
A thrill electrified Beth. Excitement finally winning through, bypassing the stress and angst of the lead up to Tenpenny House’s purchase. This was going to be her dream come true. Her very own shop! On the other side of the chip-boarded windows she heard footsteps tripping along the pavement. In a few short weeks those feet could be wandering in. They could be her first customers. She hugged Lorna’s arm and did a little happy dance, stirring up clouds of dust which made them sneeze.
‘Aw, that’s better, Bethie. It’s good to see you getting enthused about it all.’
‘Well, you know me, I warm up to things slowly -’
‘And are always cautious and over think things. Now you’ve finally taken the plunge to do this, you’ve got to go all-out.’
‘Stop nagging.’
‘It’s my job,’ Lorna replied crisply. ‘Come on, let’s have a decko at the rest of the place.’ She disappeared into the hallway.
As Beth dropped the latch on the solid oak door shutting off the selling space, a noise behind made her freeze. ‘What’s that?’
Lorna turned to her. ‘What?’
‘There’s something in the shop.’
‘Don’t be daft. We’ve just come out. Only thing in there is dust and cobwebs. And you locked the front door. No one could walk in.’
Beth shushed her sister. ‘Listen!’ She put her ear to the door.
Lorna joined her. ‘I can’t hear anything.’
There was a frozen silence as the women listened, their ears pressed to the ancient oak. From within the shop came an eerie slithering. Beth felt her pulse leap in her throat. The room had been empty when she’d left, she was sure of it.
The slithering rose and sank. It stopped, began again and grew into thumping, flapping sound. A violent bang against the door had them rearing back in terror.
‘Shit!’ Beth clutched onto Lorna, her insides liquid with fear. The horrible unearthly slithering continued, growing into a frenzy. ‘A ghost?’ Thankfully the words died on her tongue. Her sister would never let her live that one down.
Lorna put her ear against the door again. ‘I think,’ she screwed up her face in concentration, ‘I think it might be a bird.’
‘A bird? But how?’ Beth asked stupidly.
‘Windows boarded up. Door locked. Chimney? Remember the ash that fell down? Must have been a bird trapped.’
Another thump resounded against the door before whatever it was slithered to the ground.
Beth’s heart rate hitched. Trapped birds were horrible to deal with. They’d had a starling fly into the office one summer. Panicked, it made a hell of a mess before she’d released it. ‘Suppose it could be a bird.’ At least the place wasn’t haunted. ‘We’ll have to let the poor thing out.’ Feeling calmer now she knew what she was dealing with, she added, ‘We go in, you close this door as quickly as you can. Last thing we want is for it to escape into the rest of the building. I’ll unlock the front door, and we shoo it out. Ready?’ Lorna nodded.
They burst into the shop. A chaos of whirling blackness flew at Beth’s head. Protecting her eyes and trying not to scream, she ran to the front door and scrabbled at the lock.
‘It’s gone.’ Lorna’s voice went brittle with relief. She’d obviously been putting on a brave front. ‘Well done, Bethie.’ Joining her at the open front door, she asked, ‘Did you see what it was? Blackbird maybe?’
Beth had seen the bird as it soared up over the roof tops. Beneath its blackened feathers gleamed white shot through with iridescent blue, its long tail leaving a trail of choking soot. ‘It was a magpie.’
‘Oh Beth.’ Lorna stared at her with huge eyes. ‘You know what gran always says.’
Beth nodded. ‘One for sorrow.’”
***
About Georgia Hill
Georgia Hill writes warm-hearted and up-lifting contemporary and dual narrative romances about love, the power and joy in being an eccentric oldie and finding yourself and your community. She lives near the sea with her beloved dogs and husband (also beloved) and loves the books of Jane Austen and collecting elephants. She’s also a complete museum geek and finds inspiration for her books in the folklore and history of the many places in which she’s lived. She’s worked in the theatre, for a charity and as a teacher and educational consultant before finally acknowledging that making things up was what she really wanted to do.
You can find her here:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/georgiahillauthor
Website – www.georgiahill.co.uk
About Magpie
Two women. Two centuries. One house full of secrets.
A spellbinding tale for fans of Weyward, where the past never truly dies…
When Beth Loveday retreats to a shadowed corner of the Devon coast, she hopes to rebuild her life in peace. But the old timbered shop she buys—Tenpenny House—has other plans. Strange objects hidden in the walls. A book of forgotten remedies. And dreams that feel like memories.
In 1660, Susanna Loveday walks the same worn floors. Apprentice to a healer, she’s swept into a deadly game of suspicion and power when whispers of witchcraft begin to spread. As danger closes in, a single choice will echo through time.
Linked by blood and bound by secrets, Beth and Susanna are caught in a web that spans centuries. The truth lies buried—but Tenpenny House remembers everything…
Buying Link for Magpie – click here
Thank you for sharing this extract, Georgia and I love the cover. Mx
Watch out for some bargain news from Morton S. Gray this week too …
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