Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra’s search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds.

Robert Eastwood is an innocent, brought up in a world of Born Again Christianity that’s taught him to look for signs and to believe evil in waiting just outside the front door. When he goes to school he’s shocked to discover that no one else thinks the world was made in 7 days or that Jesus will be returning. Caught between his Mother, who’s determined to bring Jesus’ love to a dead mining town, and his best friend Marcus who’s introduced him to teenage rebellion Robert becomes the centre of a spiritual tug of war as he tries to escape his religious beliefs. It’s then that he discovers a dead body in the woods and realises God has sent him a sign. The Devil Outside is a story of everyday madness.