London Belongs to Me by Norman Collins - A thrilling city novel

Norman Collins was a British writer, and later a radio and television executive, who was born in 1907. He began his career as a novelist, publishing several successful works. He has written nearly 16 novels and 2 plays. He also worked as a local government correspondent for Private Eye magazine.

“London Belongs to Me” is one of the great city novels written by Norman Collins in which the plot is concerned about the tenants of a large terraced house during the pre-WWII London. The prospect of the war hangs over every inhabitant of London in 1938. The story begins at a lodging-house at 10 Dulcimer Street, owned by the widowed Mrs. Vizzard and occupied by a various tenants -- the recently retired clerk Mr. Josser and his wife, Mrs. Boon and her son -- Percy, the Pooterish Mr. Puddy and Connie -- a washed-up actress.

The pretty crook Percy is in love with the Jossers' daughter, and turns to crime to raise money so that he can impress her through his wealth. Unfortunately, he bungles a car theft and finds himself accused of murder. So Mr. Josser digs into his retirement fund for a lawyer in order to save his son. In the meanwhile, a fake psychic -- Mr. Squales joins the lodge as a new tenant and testifies against Percy, but his fakery gets exposed to his now-fiancee, Mrs. Vizzard during the process.

Even though Percy is found guilty, his neighbors support to his defence. With the assistance of the Jossers' loyal socialist -- Uncle Henry, the neighbors gather thousands of signatures in a petition to gain him a remit. Will Percy be punished for his crime?

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