The Reluctant Gunmen: A story of the O.K. Corral and much more, Giovanni Rex

How many deaths does it take for a country to say enough is enough? Inspector Matsuko has had enough, so has his wife, he needs a holiday, somewhere far away, somewhere benign like New Zealand, but his father-in-law, the author Giovanni Rex has ideas for a new book, it will be about the O.K. Corral but there’s a bunch of cowboys on the lose intent on creating mayhem, stealing from banks, kidnapping dogs, settling old scores. Then they want a shootout, something like the Wild West only they’re headed for a small town in Italy, a traditional town that doesn’t want hamburger bars but would be happy to have the same recognition as Tombstone Arizona. When is enough going to be enough when there’s a sniper with 12 bullets and 12 angry men to deal with? Call in the reluctant gunman, deputise others, when there’s a woman and the law to protect somebody has to put on a tin star.