Airs Above the Ground > Likes and Comments

This is the thread for the July 2026 buddy read of Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart

Yay, looking forward to our next Mary Stewart!

I am looking forward to this one, but I may have to finish a couple first! I will probably start sometime next week :)

I've just started, and this post has spoilers for chapter 1

I found this so enjoyable right away. The first sentence is already funny:

Carmel Lacy is the silliest woman I know, which is saying a good deal.

... and actually, the whole first paragraph is such a delight!

That I had been entirely in the right, and that Lewis had been insufferably, immovably, furiously in the wrong was no particular satisfaction

And my favourite funny quote comes from the silly Carmel:

You know what it says in the Bible about a thankless child? "Sharper than a something's paw it is," or something like that...? Well I can tell you as a mother, that's exactly how it feels! Sharper than the whatever-it-is...

I found that quote almost reminiscent of Milne's humour.

I already feel I know a fair bit about Vanessa: a woman who finds her husband isn't where he says he is, and jumps straight on a plane to find him. We've already got a mystery: Why is Lewis not in Stockholm, who is the blond woman with him? My initial guess is that he's a spy. I'm keen to keep reading!

Wobbley wrote: "I've just started, and this post has spoilers for chapter 1

I found this so enjoyable right away. The first sentence is already funny:

Carmel Lacy is the silliest woman I know, which is saying a ..."

So glad you're enjoying this, Wobbley! It is one of my favorites, but I'm always shy to recommend them in case others don't like them as well. I pulled my copy off the shelf and hope to start today.

Spoilers for Chapters 1-3

I also like the way the book starts. I get a good sense of Vanessa right from the beginning. Her conversation with Carmel starts out amusing and ends up surprising. It's a good way to kick off the book.

I enjoyed the line, "She groped for where her heart presumably lay, somewhere behind the ample curve of her left breast, failed to locate it, and, abandoning the gesture, poured herself another cup of tea." I always see her wanting to dramatically display how her heart is broken, realizing she can't even find it, and shrugging and having some tea, instead. She's sooo heartbroken. :)

The relationship between Vanessa and Timothy feels realistic to me. I can imagine myself as either of them, stuck in the airplane trying to navigate the situation. They work it out well, and find some unexpected common ground.

I only had time for one chapter today, so this post has spoilers through chapter 2

I continue to enjoy the main character very much. I took a while to warm up to Timothy. I actually think it's not his sulky beginning but his sudden capitulation that somehow just didn't ring true. But he totally won me over at the end of the chapter by calling her out with the same incensed sentence about running away that she'd just used on him. That was cheeky and I loved it! I hope they'll be a fun duo throughout the book.

I finished Ch 1 and am totally intrigued! Now I really want to know what is going on with that husband! And it doesn't look good ;)
Can't wait to read more!

I'm through Chapter 8, but no spoilers here. I'll wait till the rest of you get ahead to comment on specifics.

I'm really enjoying how well this story moves. Every chapter has a new twist or bit of mystery and there's never a good spot to stop reading. I think this book flows as well as it possibly could.

I also like that Vanessa is an actual veterinarian. She isn't some young girl who dropped out to get married, but finished and still works part time to use her skills and education. She's competent and can be decisive, but isn't perfect. I quite like her. And I enjoy Timothy. He adds to the story, he isn't just someone for her to talk to, he bring his own personality and group of skills.

I've caught up to Teri-K, and this post has spoilers through chapter 8.

This is a lot of fun. I was right about Lewis being a spy. I'm glad, because it seemed like a bit of a let-down for a bit there when she said her husband had never been in Austria after all. I feel I should have noticed what was happening in the first scene between her and Mr. Elliot, but I wasn't that clever.

Vanessa is an interesting mix, with some quite old-fashioned values ("a man's job is his life"), and also real competence herself -- I was glad she saved that horse. Timothy is a pretty enormously likeable companion. Annalisa is very amiable too. And we have a proper villain in the making with Sandor Balog.

The book continues to be quite funny:

On the walls were two pictures, bright oily colours painted on wood; one showed an unidentifiable saint in a blue robe killing a dragon; the other a very similar saint in a red robe, watering some flowers. It seemed that in Austria there was a pleasantly wide choice of saintly qualities.

And Mary Stewart shows her usual descriptive skill:

Behind the meadows rose the hills; at first softly, furred with grass, their green curves framed by the pines which flowed downhill to fill every fold and crevice of the slopes... At the upper limits of this dense crowded forest soared the cliffs again, shining escarpments of silver rock threaded in their turn by the white veins of falling water.

This is very enjoyable so far, just what I need at the end of a tough week.

Wobbley wrote: "I've caught up to Teri-K, and this post has spoilers through chapter 8.

This is a lot of fun. I was right about Lewis being a spy. I'm glad, because it seemed like a bit of a let-down for a bit there when she said her husband had never been in Austria after all. I feel I should have noticed what was happening in the first scene between her and Mr. Elliot, but I wasn't that clever..."

Spoilers through Chapter 8

I noticed when I read that scene where we first meet Mr. Elliot that she describes him impersonally. As she's trying to treat him like a stranger it makes sense, but it also really serves to throw the reader off, so I'm not surprised you didn't figure it out. I know I didn't the first time I read it.

Plus, if you did you'd miss that delightful moment where he comes into her room at night and she calls him Mr. Elliott and then Lewis. It's one of the scenes I always remember. :)

spoilers through chapter 8

Teri-K wrote: "Plus, if you did you'd miss that delightful moment where he comes into her room at night and she calls him Mr. Elliott and then Lewis. It's one of the scenes I always remember. :)"

Yes, I found that scene slightly alarming at first -- she didn't seem to be panicking nearly enough that this man was sneaking into her room!

Wobbley wrote: "spoilers through chapter 8

Yes, I found that scene slightly alarming at first -- she didn't seem to be panicking nearly enough that this man was sneaking into her room!..."

Spoilers through Chapter 8

I know! The first time I read that scene I was frantically trying to come up with innocent reasons she'd let this stranger walk into her room like that, and shut the door. LOL When she called him by name I was so relieved. I still chuckle over it.

I just had time for 2 chapters today, and this post has spoilers through chapter 10

I enjoyed chapter 9 very much. It's just a calm happy chapter about Vanessa and Lewis, Vanessa and Timothy, and the beautiful countryside.

In chapter 10 the plot thickens: we learn that the old lame horse was once a famous stallion, probably stolen and hidden for years. Given that Lewis said Franz mentioned a saddle from Naples before he died, I think that will have to be connected to this discovery about the horse. I'm thinking maybe there is something important hidden on or in the saddle.

One strange this is that Annalisa is suddenly being coy about whether they will keep the horse, whereas she was so determined the previous day. This is the first time I've felt suspicious of her intentions. I'm guessing Annalisa will be a good guy in the end, and this suspicion is simply a red herring.

This post has spoilers through chapter 13.

Well, I was right that suspicion of Annalisa was a red herring. Her acting coy when asked if they would keep the horse was because she'd figured out it was stolen, and so they probably couldn't keep it.

I think I was also right that the saddle is important. Sandor became very tense when he saw Vanessa wearing a piece of jewelry from the saddle. And even in the early scene where they were preparing to fix the horse's leg, he was very protective of the saddle.

It's possible some of the jewels are real, booty from a theft that he is hiding in plain sight. But I think there's more to it. The jewels have all been removed, and I think the saddle is still important, because why else would the author have created a situation where it was necessary to tell us that she put the saddle for the night in the corn bin, somewhere nobody would look for it? I'm also glad she mentioned that she'd leave the horse outside to graze overnight, just in case the horse itself is in danger -- it will be harder to find this way.

I also noticed that Vanessa's hotel room has an unlocked door leading to a walkway that goes around part of the castle. This might make it easier for Lewis to come in when he arrives, but presumably makes her vulnerable to others coming in too... time will tell.

Wobbley wrote: "This post has spoilers through chapter 13.

Well, I was right that suspicion of Annalisa was a red herring. Her acting coy when asked if they would keep the horse was because she'd figured out it w..."

You're a very observant reader, Wobbley. :) Personally I love a book that throws out possible clues for me to wonder about, it adds a lovely layer to my reading - which is one reason I'm rather obsessed with Bleak House right now. But I look forward to picking Airs up again soon.

Spoiler through Chapter 10
I love the scene in the meadow in the evening when the circus music begins to float over the trees and the old horse perks up and starts to dance. It always gives me goosebumps and breaks my heart just a bit. The old, neglected horse still remembers how it felt to be young and pampered and part of a proud group, and he moves to the music and the memories. It's magical and I love it.

Hi , Everyone ! I'm joining rather late , but I've read the first 5 chapters. You all are way ahead , but I'm hoping to read forward at a consistent pace , though I can't expect to catch up .
Spoilers through chapter 5 :
It was a very pleasant surprise and a relief that the man with Annalisa was Mr Elliott , and not Vanessa 's husband, Lewis .

Vanessa and Timmy make such a fun pair .

Welcome Savita. No worries -- just read at whatever pace works for you. I'm going quickly at the moment because I'm travelling in a week, so I want to be done before then.

Thanks , Wobbley ! The story is very interesting so far , and I'm looking forward to enjoying another buddy read with you all 😊 .

Savita wrote: "Hi , Everyone ! I'm joining rather late , but I've read the first 5 chapters. You all are way ahead , but I'm hoping to read forward at a consistent pace , though I can't expect to catch up .
Spo..."

Welcome, Savita! Glad you could join us, I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you read.

I have had a few disappointing reads in a row, so I decided to allow myself this for a treat. I love Mary Stewart so much and it doesn't seem to matter how many dozens of times I have read one of her books, it is always like the first time all over again.

I love the banter between Vanessa and Timothy and Vanessa and Lewis. Poor Paul Denver, that is a nasty way to go in service to your country. I like that Lewis could walk away but won't because he knows Denver would not have asked for him unless he was on to something important.

I spent a good half-hour tonight watching Lipizzaner stallions dance on You-Tube. Thought it would get me in the mood--and it did!

BTW, one of things I adore about Mary Stewart's books are the quotations she uses to start all her chapters. I remember as a young girl making a list of every quote and then going to the library and reading some of the books/plays they came from. I think I ought to do that again! I bet I could find more of them now than I could back then. I think Mary Stewart might have been one of the reasons I loved Shakespeare at such a young age.

I've enjoyed all the comments so far and really pleased to be able to join in!

Cannot resist -- Chapter Nine:

"Don't you just adore phrase books? The things they imagine one might want to say...they're almost as good as one's Greek grammar at school. I remember one of the first sentences I had to put into Greek was 'she carried the bones in the basket.' I'm still wondering whose bones, and why."

The subtle Mary Stewart humor that never fails to make me laugh aloud.

Yay, I'm so glad you're joining us Sara! And yes, the quote about the phrase book is true and hilarious!

This post has spoilers through chapter 17.

Okay, so everything started very quickly after my last post. When Sandor showed up in her room at the start of chapter 14, I thought surely it was too early for the climax of the book. But now I see that the climax is going to last for the final 1/3 of the book. Although I'm stopping for the night here, there really isn't a good place to stop in the last third, because it's all happening in the same night, and there's lots of danger and adventure.

I thought Vanessa did so well escaping from Sandor. I couldn't help but feel that I wouldn't have done that well. But just the same, I felt much more relaxed once Lewis turned up.

Of my previous predictions, I was right that the saddle itself was important (not just the jewels), and that it being put somewhere nobody would look was also important. And I was right that the door in Vanessa's room that led to the ramparts would be important, but wrong about why -- I thought the bad guy might sneak in that way, but that turned out to be unnecessary, because apparently in the 1960s if you stayed in a hotel they didn't lock the door to your room???

I'm still enjoying this very much.

I've just noticed this thread and I've enjoyed several Mary Stewart books, so I want to join in even though I'm late.

I do have a lot of group reads this month, but it's Mary Stewart!

Bethan wrote: "I've just noticed this thread and I've enjoyed several Mary Stewart books, so I want to join in even though I'm late.

I do have a lot of group reads this month, but it's Mary Stewart!"

You're not late - we'll be reading and talking about this book as long as anyone wants. :) And welcome! We've been reading a Mary Stewart about every other month since some time last year - so welcome to this chat and hopefully some down the line, too!

Have you read Airs before? It's a reread for me, and one of my personal favorites. Enjoy, and chime in anytime with your thoughts.

One informal custom we've adopted is putting spoilers behind a bold heading like spoilers through chapter x so those who want to enjoy some of the chatter but not read anything specific know what to skip. Happy reading!

Sara wrote: "I have had a few disappointing reads in a row, so I decided to allow myself this for a treat. I love Mary Stewart so much and it doesn't seem to matter how many dozens of times I have read one of h..."

Welcome, Sara. I agree, Mary Stewart is a good antidote to a series of disappointing reads. Great to have you on board again.

I loved the quote, too. I've been teaching myself to read books in Spanish, and the number of textbooks that try to get me to learn the difference between a suitcase, attache case, valise, purse and make-up bag amuse me. At least "She carries the bones in the basket" sounds like ancient Greece to me - Iphigenia, perhaps? or Electra? :)

Teri-K wrote: "Savita wrote: "Hi , Everyone ! I'm joining rather late , but I've read the first 5 chapters. You all are way ahead , but I'm hoping to read forward at a consistent pace , though I can't expect to c..."

Thanks, Teri ! 😊

Sara wrote: "I have had a few disappointing reads in a row, so I decided to allow myself this for a treat. I love Mary Stewart so much and it doesn't seem to matter how many dozens of times I have read one of h..."

Yay , Sara , and welcome ! So nice to have you join us !

Bethan wrote: "I've just noticed this thread and I've enjoyed several Mary Stewart books, so I want to join in even though I'm late.

I do have a lot of group reads this month, but it's Mary Stewart!"

Welcome , Bethan ! Hope you enjoy this Buddy Read with us !

Bethan wrote: "I've just noticed this thread and I've enjoyed several Mary Stewart books, so I want to join in even though I'm late."

Welcome Bethan, read at whatever pace you like!

I have reached chapter 10 .
Spoilers through chapter 8 :
I was completely surprised that Mr Elliot turns out to be Lewis after all ! I am glad that Wobbley and Teri ( in her first read ) , too , didn't realize , so I'm not the only one 😲 ! Actually, retrospectively, in the first meeting between Vanessa and Mr Elliot, Vanessa realizes something is afoot , and deliberately plays along , so , we readers can't be blamed for being taken in 🤔 .
And , the other thing , Lewis is not having an affair with Annalisa , so yay 😊 !

Sara wrote: "Cannot resist -- Chapter Nine:

"Don't you just adore phrase books? The things they imagine one might want to say...they're almost as good as one's Greek grammar at school. I remember one of the fi..."

😆

spoilers through the end of the book

Well, this was a typical enjoyable Mary Stewart. My only complaint is that her heroes are often one step too macho for me -- they resort to violence when it isn't needed (here I mean the hand burning). Otherwise, I can't think of anything I didn't enjoy here. I think in many ways, this is the story of Vanessa and Timothy, and we don't get to know Lewis as well. I do like how reassuring he is, and how safe Vanessa feels with him. But I also like how competent she is without him -- she saves Timothy's life without Lewis's help. She's clever and able. And Timothy is terrific!

I enjoyed this funny line from later in the book:

They both started to talk at once, or rather to shout, in furious German - and I can think of no better language to be furious in.

and this astute one (which I think can apply to all people, not only men):

I thought with resignation that men seemed in some ways to pass their lives on an unregenerately primitive level.

While my favourite is still My Brother Michael, I'd say I'd rate this one at about the same level as The Moon-Spinners. I'm so enjoying our Mary Stewart reads!

spoilers through chapter 8

Savita wrote: "And , the other thing , Lewis is not having an affair with Annalisa , so yay"

Yes, I was glad about this too. It's nice to read about a solid relationship, two people facing the world together. Sometimes it feels like this kind of story can be hard to find, and creators seem to find it easier to write about troubled relationships. Mary Stewart is a breath of fresh air!

Wobbley wrote: "spoilers through the end of the book

My only complaint is that her heroes are often one step too macho for me -- they resort to violence when it isn't needed ..."

My theory is that a bit of violence was required by her publishers so they could call them romantic suspense and not straight romance. Even today I know of some big name authors who can't get the third book in a popular series published because they don't want the heroine to fall in love with the man she met in the previous book. Publishers often have pretty strict ideas about what they'll take. Or maybe Stewart herself felt obligated to put in bits of that violence. They're small episodes, so it's clearly not her focus.

I like the way Stewart often gives you a big action scene towards the end - and then another one. The tension keeps ratcheting up until you finally get to the end. And everyone plays a part in catching the bad guys.

I agree that Vanessa and Timothy are the MCs here - it's kind of nice that the action hero husband isn't the main attraction. :)

spoilers through the end of the book

Teri-K wrote: "My theory is that a bit of violence was required by her publishers so they could call them romantic suspense and not straight romance..."

Yes, this could be right. I don't mind that there is violence. Her heroes are always the type to win a fight, and though that's not my type, I'm fine with that. What bothers me is choosing violence needlessly. For example, in her book My Brother Michael spoilers for My Brother Michael here (view spoiler)[the violence at the end was necessary -- the villain was trying to kill the heroine by strangling her, and so the hero's violence was to stop that and didn't bother me (hide spoiler)]. Most of the violence in Airs Above the Ground (by the heroes) was needed, but the burnt hand was just vengeance; that's the part that rubs me the wrong way. Nevertheless, you might be right that this was about what the publishers wanted. Or it might just be that I'm reading this 60 years later, and I want something a bit different from what audiences wanted then.

And yes, I agree, I liked that Vanessa and Timothy are the main characters.

I am moving along rather slowly with this one because I have others that need to be finished by due dates and book clubs! But I am really enjoying it (have only read through Ch 5). I do love Vanessa and Timothy (isn't he a cutie?!). I am looking forward to seeing what happens next since V mistakenly identified her husband as the man in the news reel -- what will she do now? And is her husband really in Stockholm? (I have not been reading your comments due to spoilers, but am anxious to catch up and see what you all think!).
This is a good one :)

I'm glad you're enjoying is so much Terris! I agree with everything you've said; I like Vanessa and Timothy a lot too. And for your pace, there's no rush at all.

Wobbley wrote: "spoilers through chapter 8
Savita wrote: "And , the other thing , Lewis ....

Yes , I agree : It's nice to read about a solid relationship, two people facing the world together.

Terris wrote: "I am moving along rather slowly with this one because I have others that need to be finished by due dates and book clubs! But I am really enjoying it (have only read through Ch 5). I do love Vaness..."

Welcome , Terris !

Terris wrote: "I am moving along rather slowly with this one because I have others that need to be finished by due dates and book clubs! But I am really enjoying it (have only read through Ch 5). I do love Vaness..."

Welcome, Terris! Take your time, I'm rather overwhelmed with great books right now, too. I hope you continue to enjoy it. :)

Spoilers through end of book

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this again. I'm positive that at the time this was written most would have thought Sandor got what was coming to him. He hit a woman and threatened her life. There was still a little "knight in shining armor" in the air back then...this was Lewis' woman and he owed Sandor, and what Sandor did would have been considered a very cowardly thing indeed.

I love the way Stewart builds tension. I have read this book several times, so I am not in any doubt as to the outcome and I can still feel myself telling Vanessa to "hurry, hurry" when Timothy is on the tracks.

Nice break for me and enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I will be waiting to see what the rest of you think when you have finished.

Spoilers through end of book

Sara wrote: "I'm positive that at the time this was written most would have thought Sandor got what was coming to him. He hit a woman and threatened her life. There was still a little "knight in shining armor" in the air back then..."

Yes, I agree. This is what I meant when I said I might just be reading it 60 years later with slightly different values. I'm all over knights in shining armour, but for me the violence is only justified if it's needed to save the damsel in distress, not as vengeance after the fact. But I do understand that point of view as well. It's a minor complaint for me.

I agree about her building tension. I felt it especially when Vanessa was trying to escape on that obstacle-course-roof in the dark. She's a very diverse writer, skilled at the tension-building, at the descriptions of setting, at creating characters I care for; I even enjoy her romances when she doesn't overdo it. I think her descriptions of setting are particularly remarkable; it seems to be a rare gift indeed to write detailed descriptions that seem magical instead of seeming too detailed.

I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed this so much on this reread. Hopefully it's rescued you from your recent rut.

I agree that her strongest talent is her ability to describe settings and events with just the right detail. She never fails to make me feel I am in the places she describes, be it a simple garden or a scary grotto. The night ride up the road to the gasthaus was another nail-biter. I have driven mountain roads during the day that made me hold my breath, I tried to imagine taking this one at night. One of the ways she conveys how able her leading men are is to make them unafraid of such things--Lewis follows the route instictively.

I also loved your comment about Vanessa's ability to do things without Lewis' help. She is his equal in many ways, without his training or experience to draw on. Timothy, of course, is just a Lewis in the making.

Sara wrote: "One of the ways she conveys how able her leading men are is to make them unafraid of such things--Lewis follows the route instictively."

You're right; their lack of fear does make them very reassuring. One feels when they are around that all the good guys will be safe.

Sara wrote: "I also loved your comment about Vanessa's ability to do things without Lewis' help. She is his equal in many ways, without his training or experience to draw on. Timothy, of course, is just a Lewis in the making ..."

I also like the dynamic between them, it's one of the reasons I enjoy this particular book so much. Vanessa is quick and brave, someone who welcomes help but doesn't rely on others to rescue her.

I know that growing up I was often disgusted by the way the girl in the book was supposed to be so smart and strong, but she always made the mistakes and had to be rescued by the guy. I wanted more books where the females could sometimes save themselves, and someone else, too! Decades later I'm still unreasonably happy with that dynamic in a book of adventure or mystery. :)

I know what you mean, Teri, but (and this may be an age thing) while I like strong and capable in a woman, I can never warm up to these female characters who throw their weight around and act like male characters would. I loved Indiana Jones but I could not warm to Lara Croft. I definitely do not want my female characters to be Nell Fenwick either..."save me Dudley". I think I might be picky.

Sara wrote: "I think I might be picky ..."

I get that. I sometimes enjoy Urban Fantasy, and honestly, Kate Daniels is too good at everything to really engage me, but Mercy Thomson is wonderful. She has a little magical ability, but mostly she's brave and caring and pretty smart. I find people like that easier to root for. She and Vanessa would get along well, I think. :)

Spoilers till the end of the book:

I enjoyed this adventure story . The chase on the roof top , of the castle hotel , was very scary ! Towards the end , down in the stable , just when I thought Lewis would appear , to my surprise and great dismay poor Timothy appears instead ! I thought , ' Oh my God , now the poor boy is done for ! ' .
It does feel safer after Lewis joins them , but you all are right ... both Vanessa and Timothy are perfectly capable of putting up an admirable fight on their own. They are no shrinking and clinging lillies ! In their own way they helped Lewis get final and full victory . Good for them ... that's the way to be !
I'm glad Timothy has found a stable and mature couple in his life . Their 's seems to be a bond for life . Annalisa seems nice , too , and the two seem to be interested in each other . At last nice things are happening to Timothy... a very endearing person !

I enjoyed buddy reading this book with you all . It's great reading everyone's different points of view . Comments by Terris and Bethan are awaited .