The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newman. Reviewed by Lisa H

     The Sandalwood Tree starts off in India in 1947, where an american couple have relocated to start a new life with their son.  They move into a brick colonial bungalow in a  small village to try and escape the violence surrounding India and Britain. It is in walls of that bungalow, where a dark secret is hidden.  When a series of old letters dating back to 1857 is discovered, the mistress of the house is compelled to find out what happened to the occupants and the author of the letters.  The search leads the mistress to temples and bazaars and finally back to her bungalow.  While searching for history the mistress and her husband try to reconnect with each other after a difficult separation during World War II. The author does a wonderful job describing India and its many traditions, celebrations and tragedies.  While the book does jump back and forth between 1857 and 1947, it is not difficult to follow. It is a story of forbidden love in a forbidden country between forbidden races and cultures.