Cinto Press, an imprint of Bath Publishing, has signed Tom Gaisford’s “ambitious” debut novel, Sanctuary.
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.
Chaplin commented: “When Tom’s debut novel landed in our inbox, we knew why his agent had sent it to us. The wit and insider knowledge he uses to construct such an ingenious, irresistible tale from the intricacies of immigration law immediately appealed, given our grounding in law. But Sanctuary is not just a riveting good read, it shines a light on the murky world of asylum in the UK—still a very live issue. We are delighted Tom has given us the chance to bring it to a wider public.”
Gaisford added: “Cinto Press’ growing fiction list, background in legal publishing and fearless interest in gritty stories about social justice made it the perfect fit. But it was also its appreciation of the novel’s lighter side, the humour and the love story, which permeate the narrative, that sealed the deal.”
‘Tom Gaisford’s insider knowledge makes his cleverly constructed legal thriller a compulsive and genuinely enlightening read. Alex’s passionate hope is that a story can change the public’s perception of asylum seekers. Maybe this one will.’ Suzi Feay, literary critic for The Financial Times
‘Tom Gaisford’s gripping novel explores an urgent subject – the UK’s inhumane treatment of asylum seekers…(it is) both affecting and memorable.’ Lucy Popescu, Chair of the Author’s Club and the Best First Novel Award
Tom Gaisford is a human rights barrister with over ten years’ experience working in immigration law. He lives on Guernsey with his wife and their two young daughters and Sanctuary is his first novel.
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