Sanctuary

by Tom Gaisford

What possesses someone to claim asylum in his own country?

Alex Donovan is a young refugee lawyer in crisis.

Helping desperate clients reach safety is what gives his job meaning. But he now finds himself demoted, signed off sick for stress, and facing redeployment to the firm’s subterranean billing department.

Then there is Amy, the woman he adores. The irresistible junior barrister seems to be drifting away from him.

With little to lose and all to prove, Alex dreams up a madcap plan to restore his honour and secure Amy’s affection.

329 pages, Hardcover

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Tom Gaisford is a barrister with over ten years’ experience working in human rights, asylum and immigration law, and a freelance contributor to The Independent, The Tablet and openDemocracy. Prior to law, he did a master’s degree in Human Rights and spent a year at Salamanca University, where he studied Spanish literature and translation.

In 2021, Tom stopped practising law and moved with his young family to Guernsey, where he has since completed his first novel, Sanctuary, and begun work on his second. Tom relishes the creative freedom of fiction writing, which he sees as a means of entertaining, of connecting people, and as an alternative form of advocacy.

Reviews

[Michael Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished listening to the audiobook Sanctuary by Tom Gaisford. This novel is both a thrilling crime story and an important exploration of human rights and legal issues, all while weaving a compelling romance throughout. The prose is evocative and vivid from start to finish.

I highly recommend this book to like-minded readers!

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an intriguing read Sanctuary is. Alex Donovan is a refugee lawyer, one of the types of lawyers who really want to make a difference, to help people. He's bogged down by his six minute segmented chargeable hours and by the fact that he isn't making as much of a difference to those seeking asylum as he hoped. Add to that his feelings for Amy, one of the barristers that he instructs, who constantly blows hot and cold towards him, and Alex is struggling a bit. After being signed off work, he comes up with a plan to claim asylum in his own country, a daring and potentially dangerous plan which serves to highlight the way asylum seekers are treated and might just also attract the attention of Amy.

Sanctuary wasn't really like any other book I've read. Alex is funny and sharp-witted, and his interactions, particularly with other legal folk, for whom he has a certain amount of disdain, made me laugh out loud. It's also a stark portrayal of life in an immigration centre, viewing it from the perspectives of those detained, those running it, and a lawyer who just wants to help.

The narrative is told in punchy short bursts which made it really easy to read and the pace is kept up throughout, right up until the triumphant conclusion. It's a very good debut novel.

[Santigie k · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so topical with the current UK political climate and highlights attitudes generally displayed towards immigration by institutions we trust to safeguard it but in a lighthearted and hilarious way.

Very fun to read and conceptually brave although the ending did feel quite abrupt. I also was disappointed finding out towards the end that most of the story did not happen since I really enjoyed that aspect of the book , especially Priya’s character! It also felt a bit like experiencing the same ending twice, since the conclusion of the asylum seeker plot mirrored the actual ending so closely. I’d already been through that emotional journey once, so going through it again felt slightly disorienting.

But overall a fantastic read ! I devoured every page, genuinely laughed and was also emotionally disturbed by revelations. I would really recommend.

I will definitely be looking out for more from Gainsford!

[Samah Elsir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and deeply heart-wrenching, this book strikes at the core of anyone who has witnessed the ongoing struggles of refugees and asylum seekers. A powerful and necessary read.

[kimberley (thearieslibrary)]

DNF’d @ 9%, 48min / chapter 13

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book. The concept was interesting but it didn’t grip me enough to want to continue/return back to the book.