What Unloaded is a gimmick anthology as it states in the title - Crime Writers Writing Without Guns. So you have a motley collection of authors who all write a crime story but guns are not used in the story. Some writers get creative, others just go low tech - safe doors vs heads in "Stark Raving" for example. My two favorite tales in the collection is "Creampuff" by Rob Hart which I had encountered in a food themed crime anthology and "The Final Encore of Moody Joe Shaw" by Thomas Pluck which begs the question as to who the real criminal is. Since this is an anthology of short stories, each reader will need to decide for herself/himself as to which stories most appeal to them.

“Unloaded” is a collection of short stories edited by Eric Beetner. This group is unique because all of the writers specifically constructed their stories of murder, mayhem, and destruction without using guns. With the next volume of “unloaded” arriving in July, this is a great time to revisit the original collection.
“Unloaded” (volume 1) opens with the best wheelchair justice in a down-home classic by Joe R. Lansdale. The tales that follow are scary, thought provoking, questioning, and downright creepy. If you are not afraid of trains, baseball bats, tattoos, undertakers, clowns, or hammers, you will be by the time you are finished reading.
The advantage of an anthology such as “Unloaded” is that readers can finish an entire scary story in one sitting, while waiting for an appointment or a plane, or when one just needs a quick break from the stress of the day. Be advised however, these are not really those cute little “feel-good” stories; they compelling and scary. Once you start one, you will not be able to stop until you are finished. It is a good thing they are short.
I received a copy of “Unloaded” (volume 1) from Down and Out Books and NetGalley. I can hardly wait for the next installment in July.

A more than important collection of shorts that takes on the issues about gun violence.

A very refreshing way to show that writing without guns is as good, even better, than your traditional clichéed crime novel where everything is settled with a bullet or two.

Will definitely recommand to everyone who's into crime stories.

The authors of this book are fighting back against gun violence by writing really good stories without guns. The concept intrigued me and I am happy I read this, as the stories were entertaining and enjoyable.

This is a great anthology of short stories. Usually, one or two stories are great, some are okay and the rest aren't interesting. I read every story in this collection.

I recommend skipping the introduction until after you read the stories. The stories are worth reading regardless of the political rhetoric. People have bullied, injured, tortured and murdered long before the invention of guns. These stories reflect that.

My wife and I often watch police procedurals from other countries and the lack of firearms highlight how prevalent they are in U.S. shows. At a time when gun violence is front and center in the national news, it is refreshing to read an anthology that features no guns. As with any anthology, there are hits and misses, but overall this one worked.

2 out of 25: The number of stories that I liked in this anthology, which were by Joe Lansdale (probably a good reason why his was the first in the book) and Eric Beetner (editor of this book). Overall, though, it was pretty disappointing.