Malcolm Polstead is the kind of boy who notices everything but is not much noticed himself. He makes the perfect spy. As people pass through his parent's inn, he overhears all the latest news and gossip, but soon he is caught up in intrigue himself. A girl- just a baby- named Lyra is in danger, and Malcolm has to brave a savage flood and deadly assassins to try to bring her to safety and save the world. Prequel to the Golden Compass.
