Murder...It's Not For Sissies

I like a good murder.
That is to say, I like a good murder in a book.
A good bloody murder.
Nothing like the spilling of blood to get a plot moving.
A knife, a gun, a thorough bludgeoning.

As you can probably tell, poisoning doesn't get me as involved.
Poisoning is just so...impersonal.
Powder in a drink. Ant killer in chocolate. Carbon monoxide from a faulty furnace.

Now don't get me wrong--murder is murder. Many a good mystery involves death by poison, and I enjoy the work of a writer who can finesses the episode. It's a thing of beauty.

When I write, I tend to like knives and guns. The bang of a SIG. The silent fsstt of a knife cutting through a leather jacket like a blade through butter. The spread of a stain on a white shirt. One of my crit partners said, "Why can't you just have the victim fall over and not add the gore?"

"Because," I say, "I think the descriptions add to the reader's immersion in the story."

Witness:

Mitch nodded, and Gage flipped the man onto his stomach and pulled back on the captive’s forehead, exposing the throat.

The bald man licked his cracked lips and closed his eyes. “Mercy, Purger.”

Gage’s voice held no kindness. “Mine fallen brother, thee have violated covenant law with malicious intent and full knowledge of the consequences. As a sworn defender of mine race, in accordance with mine pledge to eliminate, I return you to dust. May the Creator forgive you and cleanse your soul.”

The sterling dagger swooped, cutting the neck from ear to ear, nearly severing the head. Chartreuse gore poured onto the floor, filling the space with the stench of death.

Gage stood back. Cadaverous gray smoke issued from the neck as the body deflated and the flesh dissolved into ash. Evan’s nostrils flared at the odor of brimstone and cremation. Within a few minutes, only the ragged shirt and jeans remained.

Gage said the ritual prayer for the dead and scattered herbs for purification.
Into The Red
Muse It Up Publishing

What do you think? Murder on the page, or off? Gore, or "fall over dead?"