The Herb Seller

As the third novel from author Mark Lee Kirchmeier, The Herb Seller expands the breadth and diversity of the modern literary canon with an elegantly raw story that grapples with contemporary societal issues. Readers are immersed in the world of Johnny Verliebt, a man whose upper-middle-class life is turned upside down when he comes out as gay to his long-term girlfriend.

Johnny's first task in preparing for this new chapter is to find a steady source of drugs. This leads him to develop a deep friendship with Daisy, a bold drug peddler who takes naive Johnny under her wing. Though Johnny is able to make intimate connections in this new life, he ends up on a questionable path.

The Herb Seller confronts controversial topics such as drug addiction and the dire consequences it has on family life, as well as the effects of poverty on people's choices and lifestyle. This novel offers an empathetic perspective on the psychology of all its characters, powerfully shining a spotlight on the universal human desire for close friendships that feel truly meaningful.