The Convincing Hour — Ann Roberts

Juvenile delinquents are vanishing from Lakeview, Michigan. Brilliant fifteen-year-old Story Black has heard that the smartest kids go from jail to a special school—and then on to college. The mastermind behind it all is Lakeview’s newest citizen, Charlotte Barnaby, a former high school principal and winner of the largest lottery jackpot in history. Char brings her powerful billions back to her dying hometown, determined to save it and the worthiest children—regardless of what it costs. Story plans to be next. Getting arrested is easy but getting out of Lakeview may be impossible. Standing between her and her new life is her mother Patty, a meth user with a genius I.Q. and a mysterious past of her own. Char launches an elaborate scheme to convince Patty to let Story go, but Patty is an immovable force, unwilling to put Story’s happiness before her own. If Story wants the future she sees, she must confront her mother and be willing to lose everything—even their relationship.