This spring sees the publication of short stories by three established and highly accomplished writers.

D.J. Taylor’s thoughtful but slightly ponderous collection of 15 vignettes, Stewkey Blues (Salt, £9.99; Tablet price £9), is named for a variety of cockles only found in the Norfolk village of Stiffkey (pronounced “Stewkey”). As the title indicates, these stories focus on the particularities of Norfolk life, and use a wealth of detail to establish some fascinatingly precise social and cultural contexts.