The Subtle Knife

The Subtle Knife
First edition
AuthorPhilip Pullman
Cover artistPhilip Pullman & David Scutt
SeriesHis Dark Materials
GenreFantasy novel
PublisherScholastic Point
Publication date
22 July 1997
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (hardback and paperback)
Pages341
ISBN0-590-54243-5
OCLC44058512
Preceded byNorthern Lights (The Golden Compass) 
Followed byThe Amber Spyglass 

The Subtle Knife is a young-adult fantasy novel published in 1997 and the second book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The novel continues the adventures of Lyra Belacqua (now known as Lyra Silvertongue) recounted in the first novel, Northern Lights, as she investigates the mysterious phenomenon of Dust. Will Parry is introduced as a companion to Lyra, and together they explore new worlds in the search for Will's father.

In 2020, the novel formed the main part of the second series of the joint BBC-HBO television adaptation His Dark Materials. Parts of the novel had already been included in the first series in 2019.