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The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody
What would you do to protect the people who have given your life purpose again?
After suffering a stroke, petty racist, semi-demented, and grumpy pensioner, Theodor Moody, wakes up with telekinetic abilities. During Theodor’s hospital stay, an unlikely friendship develops between him and the cleaning lady, Yuki, as he uses his newfound abilities to save her son from some school bullies.
What Theodor doesn’t realize, however, is that Yuki harbors a terrible secret that will soon put them all in grave danger.
From the bestselling author of Dry and the Strung trilogy comes a nerve-wracking family drama with a hint of both horror and supernatural phenomena.
After suffering a stroke, petty racist, semi-demented, and grumpy pensioner, Theodor Moody, wakes up with telekinetic abilities. During Theodor’s hospital stay, an unlikely friendship develops between him and the cleaning lady, Yuki, as he uses his newfound abilities to save her son from some school bullies.
What Theodor doesn’t realize, however, is that Yuki harbors a terrible secret that will soon put them all in grave danger.
From the bestselling author of Dry and the Strung trilogy comes a nerve-wracking family drama with a hint of both horror and supernatural phenomena.
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published November 18, 2024
78 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Per Jacobsen
24 books550 followersPer Jacobsen is a Danish author best known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements. He got his literary debut in 2018 when he won a writing competition issued by Byens publishing house in Denmark. Shortly afterwards, he signed a contract with the publishing house Valeta, also in Denmark, who published his debut novel, The mirror cabinet. Per Jacobsen's next three books (books 1-3 in the Strung trilogy) were translated and gave him his international breakthrough as they quickly went to the top of the bestseller list in several countries, including the US and England. Today, Per Jacobsen is a full-time writer and lives permanently in southern Spain with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 27, 2025
I loved this book. It was so heartbreaking and sweet. The friendship between Theodor and Yuki and her son was beautiful. Of course Yuki's husband is the catalyst for their friendship, and I feel like he deserved worse than what he got. Kevin and his wife were pretty unbearable up until the very last pages.
I wish the book had been longer. It seemed like it wrapped up a bit too quickly after the climax. I would've liked to see how the trio settled in together afterward and how Theodor continued to fend off his son and daughter-in-law. In fact, I'm sure a lot of comedy could've been born out of that conflict. I'm also sure they might've found a better way to love each other had their storyline been developed.
Lastly, I would've liked to see how much further, if at all, Theodor might've honed his telekinetic skills. He really was a superhero!
Rounding up to 5 from 4.5.
I wish the book had been longer. It seemed like it wrapped up a bit too quickly after the climax. I would've liked to see how the trio settled in together afterward and how Theodor continued to fend off his son and daughter-in-law. In fact, I'm sure a lot of comedy could've been born out of that conflict. I'm also sure they might've found a better way to love each other had their storyline been developed.
Lastly, I would've liked to see how much further, if at all, Theodor might've honed his telekinetic skills. He really was a superhero!
Rounding up to 5 from 4.5.
December 30, 2024
This book made me feel every emotion known to man! Wicked awesome book!
December 1, 2024
Great, Quick Read
Action packed, suspenseful read. Another hit from Jacobsen, that kept me turning pages until the end. Trigger warning regarding domestic violence.
Action packed, suspenseful read. Another hit from Jacobsen, that kept me turning pages until the end. Trigger warning regarding domestic violence.
February 14, 2025
Per Jacobson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I was intrigued by the premise of his most recent book, 25 Days, meant to be read as an advent calendar and gave it a try. Overall, I really enjoyed that one - although the ending could have given a little more closure. However, I quickly started the Strung Series after 25 Days and realized that that's just who Per must be - an author that wants us to think, qiestiin whats going on, and to make you wonder what you would do if you were in the shoes of the characters.
The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody was the last of Per Jacobsen's currently published books that I have read, and it's certainly up there with my favorite, Rose's Story. The concept is original, the characters are well developed, and the writing is intriguing and captivating. I devoured this book because I was so engaged in the plot.
If you like thrillers with a bit of sci-fi, definitely give any of Per Jacobsen's book a try. I haven't been disappointed by any and I'm just upset that I've now read them all and have to wait for something new to be published.
The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody was the last of Per Jacobsen's currently published books that I have read, and it's certainly up there with my favorite, Rose's Story. The concept is original, the characters are well developed, and the writing is intriguing and captivating. I devoured this book because I was so engaged in the plot.
If you like thrillers with a bit of sci-fi, definitely give any of Per Jacobsen's book a try. I haven't been disappointed by any and I'm just upset that I've now read them all and have to wait for something new to be published.
June 7, 2023
Emotional
This book runs through all the emotions, happy, sad, mad, and a little scared. I enjoyed reading it and believe you will, too.
This book runs through all the emotions, happy, sad, mad, and a little scared. I enjoyed reading it and believe you will, too.
October 22, 2025
Old age isn’t so bad, considering the alternative.
3 ½ stars. This was my first Per Jacobsen book and it was pretty interesting for the most part and definitely emotional by the end. Sure, I thought it was also somewhat-to-even-seriously predictable with it's blend of the grumpy old-mannness of "A Man Called Ove" with the telekinetic horror of "Carrie" (an obvious combination, right?). But overall the book is well-handled and very well-edited/translated! If anything, it's kind of hard to place this book on the right shelf, where I notice even on goodreads it's listed purely as "horror", which in fairness, with the degree of abusive behavior we see, that definitely qualifies. Basically I'd probably just file it with exactly how what it says in Jacobsen's quick bio information, namely, that it's a thriller with supernatural elements. Um, no, I didn't get any hints of it being originally a Danish story but that's neither here nor there.
A situation, already off the rails, becomes infinitely worse.
The "hero" of our story if you will is obviously Mr. Theodor Moody himself who is easy to imagine (ignoring the awful AI-generated cover). Apparently, ol' Theodor is getting on up there in years and he's become somewhat of an unpredictable curmudgeon as well as, quote, "rude, prejudiced, coarse, awkward, racist, condescending, (and) bitter". Now maybe all this is partially owing to dementia (no official diagnosis is ever forthcoming and I can't point fingers at anyone that forgets a bunch of stuff and I know I!!! don't have it… I hope…). But his woes also may be just from loneliness after losing his beloved wife some two years ago, something that weighs heavily on him throughout this tale. So it's no wonder really that his possession-happy son and daughter-in-law are trying to push him in a direction that (a) sees to his daily care without involving them (or the sheriff) and (b) moves the whole discussion of inheritance - particularly for a lake house that we just KNOW is going to play a huge role in the plot - as quickly forward as possible.
The only logical conclusion is that the old, demented lunatic has gone berserk.
So boom, right off the bat, Theodor goes and has himself a stroke which does move a lot of things forward, even for him, but none of which match his son's previously detailed wishes. Along the way Theo meets Yuki, who at first is merely the custodian in the recovery center he is, well, recovering in, as well then as her son Sammy (don't call him Salami). It is through these relationships that we begin to slowly but surely see a softer side of Theo as well as some unexpected side effects of his recent stroke ("He's a freaking superhero, Mom! Like Professor X or something."). Naturally then, Yuki and Sammy are in a terrible situation at home which allows Theo to fully reach his redemptive potential. It's all set up to be extremely convenient and truth be told, I had a little trouble really getting into it for at very least the first half simply for this reason.
I … can't … control it … I can't control it. Run!
This is where then the horror angle of this book comes strongly into play because Yuki's husband, Dean - who perhaps surprisingly to some is a police person of unknown rank and/or responsibility - is about as physically and emotionally abusive as one can be to not only a spouse or child but to any fellow human being. Yes, make no doubt about it, Dean has entered the Top 5 of my most heinous villains list for the year and may even take the Silver Medal (sorry, but Keely from Viggy Parr Hampton's "Much Too Vulgar" has already won Gold in 2025 … and maybe the entire century!). He gets so literally out of control - which we're really never fully aware of in terms of why he's like this (all together now: maybe he's just an a$$hole?) - to explain why he places everyone else involved in absolute mortal danger. Like literally promising to kill everybody possible.
If we hadn't gotten away, I don't know what would have happened.
But rest assured, at very least Jacobsen supplies us with some satisfaction in this regard - I did say it was all rather obvious - in what I guess you could call a climatic final battle scene. In fact, all of this is rather loudly broadcast - "the little black box under the seat (was) Dean's GPS tracker" (dun dun dunnnnn!) - but it was nice to see the just desserts being served. And no, I'm not referring to Kimberly's rice-free rice pudding (hm, I'd have maybe named her Karen). We also get a bit of a ol' "well, that feels good!" jolt during what I guess was called the epilogue… hang on… what was DEFINITELY called the epilogue as the abusive cop dude winds up not being the only one that gets what's coming to him (eh, more or less, noting if I would have pulled the wife-beater apart chunk-by-chunk if I had Theo's powers!) by the time we fade to black. Or maybe better said, some do NOT get what they think is coming to them. Whatever, you'll see. So overall, this was a well-paced book, the villain was definitely villainous, and we all got to go home happy if not somewhat melancholy. N'est-ce pas? Oops, I mean, er det ikke?
3 ½ stars. This was my first Per Jacobsen book and it was pretty interesting for the most part and definitely emotional by the end. Sure, I thought it was also somewhat-to-even-seriously predictable with it's blend of the grumpy old-mannness of "A Man Called Ove" with the telekinetic horror of "Carrie" (an obvious combination, right?). But overall the book is well-handled and very well-edited/translated! If anything, it's kind of hard to place this book on the right shelf, where I notice even on goodreads it's listed purely as "horror", which in fairness, with the degree of abusive behavior we see, that definitely qualifies. Basically I'd probably just file it with exactly how what it says in Jacobsen's quick bio information, namely, that it's a thriller with supernatural elements. Um, no, I didn't get any hints of it being originally a Danish story but that's neither here nor there.
A situation, already off the rails, becomes infinitely worse.
The "hero" of our story if you will is obviously Mr. Theodor Moody himself who is easy to imagine (ignoring the awful AI-generated cover). Apparently, ol' Theodor is getting on up there in years and he's become somewhat of an unpredictable curmudgeon as well as, quote, "rude, prejudiced, coarse, awkward, racist, condescending, (and) bitter". Now maybe all this is partially owing to dementia (no official diagnosis is ever forthcoming and I can't point fingers at anyone that forgets a bunch of stuff and I know I!!! don't have it… I hope…). But his woes also may be just from loneliness after losing his beloved wife some two years ago, something that weighs heavily on him throughout this tale. So it's no wonder really that his possession-happy son and daughter-in-law are trying to push him in a direction that (a) sees to his daily care without involving them (or the sheriff) and (b) moves the whole discussion of inheritance - particularly for a lake house that we just KNOW is going to play a huge role in the plot - as quickly forward as possible.
The only logical conclusion is that the old, demented lunatic has gone berserk.
So boom, right off the bat, Theodor goes and has himself a stroke which does move a lot of things forward, even for him, but none of which match his son's previously detailed wishes. Along the way Theo meets Yuki, who at first is merely the custodian in the recovery center he is, well, recovering in, as well then as her son Sammy (don't call him Salami). It is through these relationships that we begin to slowly but surely see a softer side of Theo as well as some unexpected side effects of his recent stroke ("He's a freaking superhero, Mom! Like Professor X or something."). Naturally then, Yuki and Sammy are in a terrible situation at home which allows Theo to fully reach his redemptive potential. It's all set up to be extremely convenient and truth be told, I had a little trouble really getting into it for at very least the first half simply for this reason.
I … can't … control it … I can't control it. Run!
This is where then the horror angle of this book comes strongly into play because Yuki's husband, Dean - who perhaps surprisingly to some is a police person of unknown rank and/or responsibility - is about as physically and emotionally abusive as one can be to not only a spouse or child but to any fellow human being. Yes, make no doubt about it, Dean has entered the Top 5 of my most heinous villains list for the year and may even take the Silver Medal (sorry, but Keely from Viggy Parr Hampton's "Much Too Vulgar" has already won Gold in 2025 … and maybe the entire century!). He gets so literally out of control - which we're really never fully aware of in terms of why he's like this (all together now: maybe he's just an a$$hole?) - to explain why he places everyone else involved in absolute mortal danger. Like literally promising to kill everybody possible.
If we hadn't gotten away, I don't know what would have happened.
But rest assured, at very least Jacobsen supplies us with some satisfaction in this regard - I did say it was all rather obvious - in what I guess you could call a climatic final battle scene. In fact, all of this is rather loudly broadcast - "the little black box under the seat (was) Dean's GPS tracker" (dun dun dunnnnn!) - but it was nice to see the just desserts being served. And no, I'm not referring to Kimberly's rice-free rice pudding (hm, I'd have maybe named her Karen). We also get a bit of a ol' "well, that feels good!" jolt during what I guess was called the epilogue… hang on… what was DEFINITELY called the epilogue as the abusive cop dude winds up not being the only one that gets what's coming to him (eh, more or less, noting if I would have pulled the wife-beater apart chunk-by-chunk if I had Theo's powers!) by the time we fade to black. Or maybe better said, some do NOT get what they think is coming to them. Whatever, you'll see. So overall, this was a well-paced book, the villain was definitely villainous, and we all got to go home happy if not somewhat melancholy. N'est-ce pas? Oops, I mean, er det ikke?
July 12, 2025
Read this with a Facebook group one chapter per day. Theofor Moody has turned into a bitter old man after the death of his beloved wife, Martha. He is rude and mean-spirited and often doesn't recall his behavior afterward, due to his advancing dementia.
One day, he suffers a stroke and wakes up on the hospital and finds himself able to recall all of his nasty behavior. Also, he seems to have acquired some sort of supernatural ability.
While struggling to understand all of this, he forms a friendship with a worker at the rehab center and her young son, which brings purpose back into his life. He comes to realize, though, that his new friends are living in a home controlled by an abusive and sadistic man and if Theodor is to help them, he will need to master his new abilities before it is too late.
One day, he suffers a stroke and wakes up on the hospital and finds himself able to recall all of his nasty behavior. Also, he seems to have acquired some sort of supernatural ability.
While struggling to understand all of this, he forms a friendship with a worker at the rehab center and her young son, which brings purpose back into his life. He comes to realize, though, that his new friends are living in a home controlled by an abusive and sadistic man and if Theodor is to help them, he will need to master his new abilities before it is too late.
February 16, 2025
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
I may be biased, because I really like Per Jacobsen’s work. I have read everything of his that I stumble across, and this was my favorite of the five novels I’ve read so far.
I actually really enjoy that he just seems to drop you into whatever horror the protagonist finds themselves in and leaves you both to fend for yourselves. You learn about the storyteller as the story unfolds and can decide what you think of them as you go. No initial description, just a couple words here and there so you can also decide what they look like in your head.
This story shows you two families in chaos that choose to blend together to make a new family that really cares about each other. And I really like Theodor Moody, even though his son is kind of a jerk.
I may be biased, because I really like Per Jacobsen’s work. I have read everything of his that I stumble across, and this was my favorite of the five novels I’ve read so far.
I actually really enjoy that he just seems to drop you into whatever horror the protagonist finds themselves in and leaves you both to fend for yourselves. You learn about the storyteller as the story unfolds and can decide what you think of them as you go. No initial description, just a couple words here and there so you can also decide what they look like in your head.
This story shows you two families in chaos that choose to blend together to make a new family that really cares about each other. And I really like Theodor Moody, even though his son is kind of a jerk.
November 29, 2024
Måske lidt hårdt - men det var altså S. King fra Temu.
2-3 stjerner for en bog der var ganske løsrevet fra lokalitet og sted.
Er der f.eks. forsamlingshuse i den amerikanske stat bogen skulle forestille at forgå i?
Den er ikke dårligt skrevet, men historien var meget enkel, og overraskende kan man heller ikke kalde plottet.
Hovedpersonen fik telekinetiske kræfter, men der var ikke knyttet nogen fortælling til det - det skete bare og der var heller ikke den store refleksion over det.
Jeg er bange for at vi nok er ret tæt på trivi
2-3 stjerner for en bog der var ganske løsrevet fra lokalitet og sted.
Er der f.eks. forsamlingshuse i den amerikanske stat bogen skulle forestille at forgå i?
Den er ikke dårligt skrevet, men historien var meget enkel, og overraskende kan man heller ikke kalde plottet.
Hovedpersonen fik telekinetiske kræfter, men der var ikke knyttet nogen fortælling til det - det skete bare og der var heller ikke den store refleksion over det.
Jeg er bange for at vi nok er ret tæt på trivi
June 13, 2025
In some ways this book was a tougher read for me because of the abusive situations, but it was also liberating, and I could connect even better with some of the characters. Without spoiling anything, this was a nice, at times suspenseful, story about a mother's love, unexpected bonds, forged friendships, and what comes about from those. Highly recommend.
(Note: As a bonus, after reading the book, you can check Per Jacobsen's reading group on Facebook for a bonus chapter.)
(Note: As a bonus, after reading the book, you can check Per Jacobsen's reading group on Facebook for a bonus chapter.)
May 27, 2024
Brilliant !
After reading the Strung trilogy and the prequel Rose's Story I went in search of other titles by this author which led me to Dry & Theodor Moody - all are brilliant, well written and reminiscent early Stephen King - impossible to put down and leave you feeling like you've lost a friend when you finish them - The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody 10\10
After reading the Strung trilogy and the prequel Rose's Story I went in search of other titles by this author which led me to Dry & Theodor Moody - all are brilliant, well written and reminiscent early Stephen King - impossible to put down and leave you feeling like you've lost a friend when you finish them - The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody 10\10
June 13, 2025
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Take a grumpy old man, a son and daughter-in-law who don't understand him, add a cleaning lady he meets in the hospital and her son and you've got an interesting view of life from different perspectives. This is an interesting story and as usual, Per Jacobsen makes you feel strongly about his characters!
Trigger Warning for abuse.
Take a grumpy old man, a son and daughter-in-law who don't understand him, add a cleaning lady he meets in the hospital and her son and you've got an interesting view of life from different perspectives. This is an interesting story and as usual, Per Jacobsen makes you feel strongly about his characters!
Trigger Warning for abuse.
July 3, 2025
Theodor Moody, widowed, and what people call “ a grumpy old man”- sure, he has his own ideas about the world around him, but everything changes when Theodor suffers a stroke. While he’s in the hospital, Moody meets Yuki, a cleaning lady with an abusive husband, and her son, Sammy, and Theodor realizes he has a strange power. The 3 form a surprising alliance- can they save each other?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2024
Per Jacobsen is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is the 2nd book I've read of his, and you can tell he puts his heart into his writing. Both books have had a similar theme of parents and the lengths they go to to protect their children.
June 1, 2025
4.25 rounded down. This was a difficult read for me, purely due to the subject matter being a bit triggering for me. I could see others raring this book higher as it was well written and a great story.
June 13, 2025
Per Jacobsen never disappoints. Well written and told. Some emotions of things that are happening throughout the book. I could picture as usual what was happening from page 1 to the end. A few clues throughout the book from other books he has written.
June 13, 2025
Another incredible book by Per!
This book was gripping from the beginning. I loved the characters. I loved hating some and loving others. The Little easter eggs that tied to pers other books was fun too.
This book was gripping from the beginning. I loved the characters. I loved hating some and loving others. The Little easter eggs that tied to pers other books was fun too.
September 30, 2025
Yuki is in an extremely abusive relationship at the hands of her cop husband. After being fired from her job at the rehab she is hired on as the caregiver for the cranky Mr Moody. Yuki and her son Sammy develop a close bond with Mr Moody who does everything in his power to protect his “new family.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2023
Gran Torino turns supernatural
I enjoyed the relationships between Theodor and the cleaning lady. It was a quick read which kept me interested throughout the story.
I enjoyed the relationships between Theodor and the cleaning lady. It was a quick read which kept me interested throughout the story.
January 9, 2024
Terrific book
I am so sad that I have now finished the last of this authors books. I personally think this was his best. Could not put it down!
I am so sad that I have now finished the last of this authors books. I personally think this was his best. Could not put it down!
March 19, 2024
Very good easy read. The characters were easily put into images in my mind. Thank you, Per Jacobsen for such an interesting, didn't want to put it down story.
May 4, 2024
Theodore Moody in a nutshell
Heart wrenching, powerful, poignant and pulls no punches yet so beautifully written it teaches us, quite simply, truth and purity of humanity.
Heart wrenching, powerful, poignant and pulls no punches yet so beautifully written it teaches us, quite simply, truth and purity of humanity.
June 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this book
September 15, 2024
Profound
Oh the emotions this brings out in the reader. It’s nothing like other books I’ve read by this author. Absolutely incredible read. Highly recommended.
Oh the emotions this brings out in the reader. It’s nothing like other books I’ve read by this author. Absolutely incredible read. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2024
It's an excellent story. The author is good at showing the good and bad iin people . I have read many of the authors books, and this is by far my favorite.
December 31, 2024
Very emotional book but full of action/drama.
January 28, 2025
Good read
February 3, 2025
Must read!
This was such a good read. My favorite book by Per, so far. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved it!
This was such a good read. My favorite book by Per, so far. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved it!
Read
February 17, 20255 Stars
An amazing tale of love and perseverance. Those who want to be there will be there for us and karma does come around. Never judge a book by its cover.
An amazing tale of love and perseverance. Those who want to be there will be there for us and karma does come around. Never judge a book by its cover.
June 13, 2025
Another great book! Love this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews