Possible Clues:

• Thin crackers are fried
• Exalted; exclusive; thin
• Thinner than usual like air on high mountain
• Such an atmosphere is thin, fear dire consequences
• Exalted - thin
• Refined daughter following artist — Whistler, that is
• Select a judge in dire trouble
• 'Of lower pressure than average, at high altitudes (8)'
• Reread if novel somewhat lacking in atmosphere?
• Less dense or solid