It is the first volume of a planned trilogy titled The Book of Dust and is set twelve years before Pullman's His Dark Materials.

The setting is a world dominated by the Magisterium (commonly called "the Church"), an international theocracy which actively suppresses heresy.

The intended recipient is Hannah, an Oxford academic specialising in the alethiometer who is secretly helping an organisation known as "Oakley Street" in its fight against the theocratic extremism of the Magisterium.

At Malcolm's school, students are encouraged to join the League of St. Alexander, and to report anybody—including teachers—who contradict the Magisterium's religious views.

Coram van Texel, also working for Oakley Street, is investigating the activities of Marisa Coulter in Sweden.

A man named Gerard Bonneville arrives at the inn, accompanied by a three-legged hyena dæmon, and Malcolm sees him snooping around the priory.

As the flood arrives, Malcolm and Alice rescue the child and escape down river in La Belle Sauvage.

They intend to stop at Jordan College to seek academic sanctuary for Lyra, but are prevented by the ferocity of the floodwaters.

[7] La Belle Sauvage was ultimately released on 19 October 2017[1] by David Fickling Books in the UK,[1] and by Alfred A. Knopf in the US.

[9] The Independent said that "La Belle Sauvage has the feel of an extended preface; thrillingly entertaining and beautifully written, but ultimately something of an introduction to the story proper we know follows thereafter".

Club said that "even without the deep well of context of those other books of Dust, La Belle Sauvage stands on its own as a singularly beguiling work of fantasy.

"[13] The Spectator said that "as a tale of flight and pursuit, it’s altogether enjoyable," but suggested that Pullman's larger aspiration—"to see off Christianity"—was an impediment to his storytelling and that the metaphysical ideas around which the narrative revolves were its least successful part.

[14] A stage adaptation of the novel by Bryony Lavery was scheduled to be performed at the Bridge Theatre London in July 2020 with Nicholas Hytner directing.