Unusual Tales #46

Aug 1961 · Charlton · 0.12 USD

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This anthology issue contains two main stories. The first, "Most Unusual Book," follows a man who discovers a magical book that grants him strange powers of control when he touches it, promising him the ability to conquer the world; however, when he seeks out his Uncle Wilber for guidance, the uncle's portrait inexplicably disappears from the book, leading to a series of complications. The second story, "Author!," depicts a publisher's scheme involving a computer that can generate story ideas: the machine selects plot elements and characters automatically, but a character named Ben becomes obsessed with the book's mysterious instructions and uses the computer's power to manipulate the stock market, ultimately becoming one of the richest men in the country before his luck runs out.

Contains 5 stories

The Inheritance

8 pp · Fantasy

Allan Norman thought he'd escape his responsibilities by remaining a perpetual playboy, but when his wealthy Uncle Wilber dies, he suddenly finds himself at the helm of Norman Enterprises—and utterly unprepared for it. When a ghostly voice begins offering him guidance on business decisions, Allan must navigate contracts, construction deals, and corporate strategy while wrestling with whether he can truly rely on supernatural counsel.

Moment of Decision

6 pp

Louis Dominique Delgado has spent over a decade training under the legendary Manuel Rodriguez to become a master matador, and after years of preparation, he finally faces his first fight—against Diable, a fearsome bull bred for this single moment. But as Louis stands in the arena with sword raised and the crowd roaring for blood, he discovers that his bond with the bull runs deeper than his hunger for glory. This is the pivotal instant where courage means something far different than he'd imagined.

The Weapon Users

1 pp · Non-Fiction

Man lacked the fangs, wings, and speed of the beasts around him, so he turned to tools—rocks, sticks, and fire—to survive against predators far stronger than himself. "The Weapon Users" explores how mankind's ingenuity with simple weapons became the key to his survival in a world of natural threats. It's a brisk, clever look at the fundamentals that set our species apart.

The Kiss Thief

4 pp · Fantasy

Four friends gather for an October campfire in a wooded glen, but their evening takes an unsettling turn when the legend of Benjy Tait—a ghost highwayman from the eighteenth century known for stealing kisses—seems to come terrifyingly alive. As strange cold sensations and inexplicable urges overtake them one by one, the group finds themselves caught in the supernatural mischief of a thief who's been dead for centuries, with no clear way to break his spectral spell.

A Most Unusual Book

6 pp · Horror-Suspense

Ben Chester was just an ordinary man trapped in an ordinary life until he stumbled upon a mysterious book titled "The Key to Success"—a volume that somehow contains detailed instructions about future events. Following the book's eerily accurate guidance, he transforms himself from a struggling nobody into a wealthy businessman and respected figure, but his blind obedience to its commands comes at an ever-steeper price. As Ben's fortune grows and the book's hold over him deepens, he discovers that true success may demand a sacrifice far darker than he ever imagined.