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Pecking Order
A group of strangers discover that they are the kidnapping victims of a deranged man on a secluded farm. They are held inside a chicken coup where they spend the next several days discovering why they are there and trying to figure out how they can escape. And their captor, The Farmer, has his own plans. His own demands. Together, the victims and perpetrator alike, will discover where they fall in the PECKING ORDER.
"To say I was blown away by C.I.I. Jones’ story, Pecking Order, would be an understatement. From page one, I was gripped. The writing is clean and powerful, building tension and a sense of mystery concerning a group of strangers kidnapped by a chicken-obsessed maniac. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this story, or the one-of-a-kind experience I had reading it!" - R. J. Benetti, author of The Slappening
"To say I was blown away by C.I.I. Jones’ story, Pecking Order, would be an understatement. From page one, I was gripped. The writing is clean and powerful, building tension and a sense of mystery concerning a group of strangers kidnapped by a chicken-obsessed maniac. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this story, or the one-of-a-kind experience I had reading it!" - R. J. Benetti, author of The Slappening
- GenresHorror
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 5, 2025
Down to the Chicken Wire...
PECKING ORDER
by C.I.I. Jones
3 stars. Tommy and four other unfortunates affectionately known as Grandpa, One Leg, Two Legs, and Mr. Business are kidnapped by a crazy chicken farmer...
One Leg is dispatched right away due to an injury to one of her legs while in transit to the farm in the back of a poultry truck...
A farmer doesn't keep lame livestock...
The remaining victims get a good look at their captor, who is wearing a bandit style bandana covering his nose and mouth...
The farmer's young son is wearing a similar partial face covering...
But...
Why were they brought to this farm, and what does this farmer want from them?...
That is the question, isn't it? And the answer is the most far-out, bizarre thing I've EVER read as a story plot!...
Can the group give the man what he wants before he picks them off one by one for being bad livestock?...
The answer is down to the chicken wire...
I'm sure, one day, there will be another plot out there that will top this one, but for now, this is the winner, winner, chicken dinner for me.
I'll tell you, even though the story was too short to be meaningful and there were many unanswered questions by the book's end, it's worth reading just to say: How did the author think up this insane plot?
Not WAR AND PEACE, but it's short and free on Kindle Unlimited.
PECKING ORDER
by C.I.I. Jones
3 stars. Tommy and four other unfortunates affectionately known as Grandpa, One Leg, Two Legs, and Mr. Business are kidnapped by a crazy chicken farmer...
One Leg is dispatched right away due to an injury to one of her legs while in transit to the farm in the back of a poultry truck...
A farmer doesn't keep lame livestock...
The remaining victims get a good look at their captor, who is wearing a bandit style bandana covering his nose and mouth...
The farmer's young son is wearing a similar partial face covering...
But...
Why were they brought to this farm, and what does this farmer want from them?...
That is the question, isn't it? And the answer is the most far-out, bizarre thing I've EVER read as a story plot!...
Can the group give the man what he wants before he picks them off one by one for being bad livestock?...
The answer is down to the chicken wire...
I'm sure, one day, there will be another plot out there that will top this one, but for now, this is the winner, winner, chicken dinner for me.
I'll tell you, even though the story was too short to be meaningful and there were many unanswered questions by the book's end, it's worth reading just to say: How did the author think up this insane plot?
Not WAR AND PEACE, but it's short and free on Kindle Unlimited.
September 13, 2025
What an unsettling little affair this was. A farmer obsessed with chickens that kidnaps people and treats them as such on his creepy farm. Now this was unique in that it didn’t just revert to body horror. The interactions between the farmer and the captives were more psychological in nature, which I enjoyed. There was plenty of violence, but it wasn’t overdone. And to add onto my kudos to the author, I loved how present and verbal the farmer was, too. He just let it all hang out to the prisoners and the interactions just kept getting more intense and uncomfortable. But it was done in a way where it wasn’t focused on threats or vulgarity. These were just actual conversations and it was all written expertly to allow everything to organically spin out of control. The ending was good, but felt a little abrupt, so that needed a little more development. Otherwise, this was done very well and made me never want to touch an egg ever again.
September 17, 2024
Full of action and weird in all the best ways. This is a great, quick read to pull you out of a reading slump
December 28, 2022
I was given this book, from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book tells the tale of a strange chicken to say the least. While this book teeters on the bizarre I think it is very reminiscent of movies like “The Hills Have Eyes” or “Wrong Turn”. If you’re a fan of cryptids or strange things this can definitely be for you, as it was for me. This book has decent character development and it has an interesting ending that I think leaves room for more should the author choose it. And it has a very interesting antagonist. I give this book 4.5 out of 5.
Thank you, C.I.I. Jones for the awesome book!
This book tells the tale of a strange chicken to say the least. While this book teeters on the bizarre I think it is very reminiscent of movies like “The Hills Have Eyes” or “Wrong Turn”. If you’re a fan of cryptids or strange things this can definitely be for you, as it was for me. This book has decent character development and it has an interesting ending that I think leaves room for more should the author choose it. And it has a very interesting antagonist. I give this book 4.5 out of 5.
Thank you, C.I.I. Jones for the awesome book!
March 15, 2023
I'm not even sure what I was expecting from this book, I basically went into it blind. Let me tell you what I got was a fun, but not comedic, story that left me questioning what in the world was happening in several occasions. It's a horrific story of four people being held captive by one of the most unique antagonist I've ever read about.
There are some descriptions of kills, but not overly graphic.
And the ending left me, well it left me laughing and horrified.
There are some descriptions of kills, but not overly graphic.
And the ending left me, well it left me laughing and horrified.
August 23, 2024
wow what an original story!
Pecking Order by CI I Jones is an edge of your seat, TrulyOriginal read. I almost wish the book had been longer and although the ending was wholly unexpected and not what I wanted nor thought would happen I still truly enjoyed the story. If you love horror with suspense woven through the whole narrative then you definitely need to read Pecking Order by Mr. Jones.#CIIJones, #PeckingOrder,
Pecking Order by CI I Jones is an edge of your seat, TrulyOriginal read. I almost wish the book had been longer and although the ending was wholly unexpected and not what I wanted nor thought would happen I still truly enjoyed the story. If you love horror with suspense woven through the whole narrative then you definitely need to read Pecking Order by Mr. Jones.#CIIJones, #PeckingOrder,
May 19, 2023
Wowsers, this book was a trip! A group of strangers are kidnapped and taken to a farm in the middle of nowhere. The owner of the farm has a very specific request. This book was wild from start to finish. An excellent read, definitely check it out.
4 severed fingers out of 5
4 severed fingers out of 5
May 24, 2023
This book was very…. Interesting? and I liked it! It’s a short book - 89 pages to be exact. It was a nice change to start and finish a book in one morning.
I knew I was getting into something peculiar before I picked up this book from reading the reviews. I was intrigued.
I only wish there was a little more explanation at the very end to wrap it up “nicely” in a bow… but this book is nothing nice.
I think this book is worth the read if you like this genre!
It spooked me at times, made me laugh at times, and at times it made me sick to my stomach. But all in all, I just couldn’t put it down.
4.5⭐️s - rounded up for good measure.
I knew I was getting into something peculiar before I picked up this book from reading the reviews. I was intrigued.
I only wish there was a little more explanation at the very end to wrap it up “nicely” in a bow… but this book is nothing nice.
I think this book is worth the read if you like this genre!
It spooked me at times, made me laugh at times, and at times it made me sick to my stomach. But all in all, I just couldn’t put it down.
4.5⭐️s - rounded up for good measure.
December 27, 2022
Pecking Order is a really interesting story about strangers brought together by a strange and unusual captor as they try and figure out what this person wants from them and how to survive. It's a great look into how different minds work under intense situations, and how sometimes you have to choose between ideologies and strategies. There's a well-rounded cast of characters and a cool concept running throughout. Well worth a read!
August 4, 2023
This is one to read over your morning coffee, and definitely not before bed. This story is nightmare fuel, and it’s got a half-life long after you close the book.
Less jump-scare and gore, and more creepy crawly DISTURBING (which is what I prefer), Pecking Order forces you to wonder how you’d survive bizarre and life threatening conditions, that only an author like C.I.I. Jones or the devil himself could dream up. If you’ve read Jones, you know he likes to shock with his endings and leave room for interpretation. I think that is what makes the sense of horror linger - there’s no spoon feeding here - you can use your imagination to decide what you think is real.
Less jump-scare and gore, and more creepy crawly DISTURBING (which is what I prefer), Pecking Order forces you to wonder how you’d survive bizarre and life threatening conditions, that only an author like C.I.I. Jones or the devil himself could dream up. If you’ve read Jones, you know he likes to shock with his endings and leave room for interpretation. I think that is what makes the sense of horror linger - there’s no spoon feeding here - you can use your imagination to decide what you think is real.
October 25, 2023
Pecking Order by C.I.I. Jones
Was a riveting intriguing quick read that was hard to put down even though I had stuff I really needed to get done. It will keep you guessing and flipping the pages until the very end and hopefully we will get more of this story and soon. Seriously, what the crap, but I loved every minute of it. Only regretI have is I didn’t read it sooner!!
Was a riveting intriguing quick read that was hard to put down even though I had stuff I really needed to get done. It will keep you guessing and flipping the pages until the very end and hopefully we will get more of this story and soon. Seriously, what the crap, but I loved every minute of it. Only regretI have is I didn’t read it sooner!!
July 13, 2024
That was like an odd fever dream. The images conjured up are simultaneously disgusting and kind of fantastical, like a really gory Roald Dahl story.
The story has no chapters so you just read through the weirdness unfolding feeling like you are stuck in there with these characters watching this stuff happen.
I still feel like I’m scratching my head after finishing it and boy what an ending. Just hum I don’t know what!
Will definitely look for more from this author.
The story has no chapters so you just read through the weirdness unfolding feeling like you are stuck in there with these characters watching this stuff happen.
I still feel like I’m scratching my head after finishing it and boy what an ending. Just hum I don’t know what!
Will definitely look for more from this author.
December 14, 2024
This was one bizarre book about chickens! 4 people find themselves kidnapped by a deranged chicken farmer. Who treats them as chickens! After reading this book, you won’t look at chickens the same way.
June 25, 2024
A very straightforward humans killing humans book, which is what I love. I gave this 4 stars because I wanted more at the end!!
January 28, 2023
It is like nothing I have ever read before. It is a quick and interesting read. You follow 5 people who wake up in a place they never could have imagined themselves being...ever. The series of events that take place after that are effed up in a very weird and unique way.I do have to say that I wished there was a little bit more to the story, the ending, for me, was quick and abrupt and I wanted more. You get to know and feel for the characters and want a happy ending. The story flows nicely and is very entertaining. If you're looking for a quick and unique read, give The Pecking Order a try
September 6, 2024
Pecking Order by C.I.I. Jones
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a wildly intense and very unique horror story! This book is a short story about 5 random people who are kidnapped, taken to a farm, and made to live as caged chickens would. This story has gore, suspense, mental anguish and overall strangeness!
*The power of belief can make you do remarkable things* 🐣
Thank you to Caleb Jones for an ecopy of this super enjoyable book. This is my first story from this author and I will definitely be looking for more! This story is out now; check this out!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a wildly intense and very unique horror story! This book is a short story about 5 random people who are kidnapped, taken to a farm, and made to live as caged chickens would. This story has gore, suspense, mental anguish and overall strangeness!
*The power of belief can make you do remarkable things* 🐣
Thank you to Caleb Jones for an ecopy of this super enjoyable book. This is my first story from this author and I will definitely be looking for more! This story is out now; check this out!
April 23, 2023
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review.
Well.....that was unexpected! This is the second novella I have reviewed from this author, and it's definitely unlike anything I have read before. The story is told from the perspective of Tommy, who along with four other people, are kidnapped by an insane chicken farmer who wants something very specific from them....
I don't think anyone would expect the direction this story goes in - I certainly didn't! - and while it was an interesting concept, it loses some suspense along the way just by the nature of the writing, and it actually feels a little unfinished and not fleshed out enough, despite the original premise. The author states in a foreword to the piece that this was a shorter story that has been re-written, and I do think it could use some more expansion, and maybe a backstory to the farmer to be a bit more readable. But if you're in the mood for something (very) different, and you like your fiction a little on the bizarre/magical realism side, you could do worse than to 'crack' this one open lol!!
3 stars for originality
(TW - animal death - it is a farm, after all!)
Well.....that was unexpected! This is the second novella I have reviewed from this author, and it's definitely unlike anything I have read before. The story is told from the perspective of Tommy, who along with four other people, are kidnapped by an insane chicken farmer who wants something very specific from them....
I don't think anyone would expect the direction this story goes in - I certainly didn't! - and while it was an interesting concept, it loses some suspense along the way just by the nature of the writing, and it actually feels a little unfinished and not fleshed out enough, despite the original premise. The author states in a foreword to the piece that this was a shorter story that has been re-written, and I do think it could use some more expansion, and maybe a backstory to the farmer to be a bit more readable. But if you're in the mood for something (very) different, and you like your fiction a little on the bizarre/magical realism side, you could do worse than to 'crack' this one open lol!!
3 stars for originality
(TW - animal death - it is a farm, after all!)
July 24, 2024
A farmer and his son have a bizarre thing for chickens. He captures 5 people who our main character Tommy has given names to. Grandpa, one leg, two legs and the business man. We follow as they are literally chucked into the life of “being a chicken”. The farmer captor always wears his bandana covering his face, but covering what? You’ll find out. Some plan to make an escape, do they make it? What happens? The farmer doesn’t like useless livestock or unproductive ones. He has one plan and one plan only. Something we can’t humanly do. This story is one I have not seen done before and I enjoyed every minute of it. The ending left me baffled but I’m hoping that means there will be another to follow with perhaps the farmers background and how his son ended up the way he was. I really liked this quick read and I wanted to know what happened next. Thank you for writing this little abomination!
October 16, 2024
The rank absurdity of this book is something else!
I loved Jones' willingness to just go for it in the weird department, taking what would be an otherwise "normal" story about a deranged captor and his terrorized captives and adding a WTF flavor that few other writers would (or could) probably ever think of.
If this were made into a low budget weirdo underground flick, it would achieve cult status pretty darn quick!
C.I.I. Jones excels at characterization and it's on full display here just as it is in his other book I;ve had the pleasure of reading - "If God Said Oi!"
Enjoy the story of one man and his eggselent dream of human hatchery today!
I loved Jones' willingness to just go for it in the weird department, taking what would be an otherwise "normal" story about a deranged captor and his terrorized captives and adding a WTF flavor that few other writers would (or could) probably ever think of.
If this were made into a low budget weirdo underground flick, it would achieve cult status pretty darn quick!
C.I.I. Jones excels at characterization and it's on full display here just as it is in his other book I;ve had the pleasure of reading - "If God Said Oi!"
Enjoy the story of one man and his eggselent dream of human hatchery today!
May 19, 2024
Pecking Order is one of a kind! I loved the idea of maniacal farmer(who has his own secrets) capturing humans and thinking one of them is going to lay an egg for him. The absurdity of this story is written in a manner that it could possibly happen! Caleb does an excellent job of crafting a story in a way to keep you guessing even when you read the last page. The third act blew me away and in the end, not all is told. It leaves the reader to make the decision for himself. I hate watching trailers because they give the story away. So I recommend you go into this one blind!
December 29, 2022
This book is exactly why I love indie horror. It's a ride from page one and I absolutely flew through it. Great tension, dark humor, and tons of weirdness. CII Jones is one to keep an eye on for sure!
November 9, 2025
What a unique wild ride. This was a look at what people are capable of when in an insane mind bending place in their life. 4 average people put into an unimaginable situation and what becomes of them. Well done.
July 16, 2024
Wow! Chickens, chickens, chickens, eggs and an insane farmer. This book was wild
September 30, 2024
Jarring, unsettling, and a touch bizarre. This was a fast fun read that will surely pop into mind whenever I see a chicken from now on. Yikes!
May 13, 2023
What came first: the chicken man or his precious egg?🥚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews