Airs Above the Ground

A veterinarian's wife discovers her husband is in Austria rather than Stockholm when she spots him in a newsreel about a circus fire. She agrees to travel to Vienna as a chaperone for a teenager, using the opportunity to investigate her husband's unexpected appearance and mysterious companion. The story centers on the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and its Lipizzan horses, known for their classical dressage movements called Airs Above the Ground. The plot combines elements of espionage and murder mystery against the backdrop of Austria's scenic landscape and rich equestrian traditions. Murder, secrets, and highly trained horses converge as the characters navigate through dangerous situations involving international intrigue. The narrative blends romance, suspense, and authentic details about classical horsemanship. The novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the complex bonds between humans and animals, set against Cold War tensions in 1960s Europe.

Readers emphasize the unique combination of mystery, horses, and Viennese settings. Many point to the detailed descriptions of Lipizzan stallions and their training at the Spanish Riding School as highlights. Readers liked: - The blend of romance and suspense - Accurate equestrian details - The Austrian setting and local color - Strong female protagonist - Clean, sophisticated writing style Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Some found the plot predictable - Limited character development for supporting cast - Horse terminology can be dense for non-equestrians Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect balance of horses and mystery" - Goodreads reviewer "The Vienna descriptions make you feel like you're there" - Amazon review "A bit dated but still engaging" - LibraryThing user

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🐎 The Lipizzan horses featured in the book are born dark-colored and gradually turn white over 6-10 years, a unique trait that made them seem magical to early observers. 📚 Author Mary Stewart wrote this novel in 1965 after personally visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, incorporating her firsthand observations into the story. 🎭 The book's title "Airs Above the Ground" refers to the classical dressage movements where Lipizzan stallions appear to float in the air, including the famous "capriole" jump. 🏰 The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, central to the novel's setting, has been training horses and riders in classical dressage for over 450 years, making it the oldest riding academy in the world. 💫 During WWII, the precious Lipizzan horses were rescued from war-torn Europe through Operation Cowboy, a secret mission that saved them from potential extinction - a historical event that adds depth to the novel's Austrian setting.