Lyra Belacqua, and her daemon, Pan, live in a world that is similar to our own, but also very different. The disappearance of Lyra"s best friend Roger coincides with the arrival of the mysterious Mrs. Coulter who takes Lyra to live with her in London. There Lyra uncovers some sinister secrets that take her on a journey far north to the land of armoured bears and ultimately to the Experiment Station - a place of unspeakable horror.