Flying Scoop, the award-winning production company, has optioned the film rights to William Elliott Hazelgrove's narrative nonfiction book, 'Evil on the Roof of the World: A Cycling Trip That Ended in Terror.' The book, published by Bloomsbury on November 13, 2025, recounts the true story of Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin, two Americans who left careers in Washington, D.C., for a global cycling journey, only to be murdered by ISIS terrorists in Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains in July 2018.
This development matters because it brings a profound, human story to a wider audience through film, exploring themes beyond the tragedy itself. Mark Finkelpearl, Partner and Executive Producer at Flying Scoop, stated, 'This story is heartbreaking, courageous, and deeply cinematic.' He emphasized that the book is 'a meditation on youthful dreaming, unflinching hope, and what happens when that hope collides with the darkest corners of reality.' The adaptation aims to honor the couple's legacy, focusing on their idealism and the impact of their lives.
Hazelgrove's book reconstructs the story using sources like the couple's Simply Cycling travel blog, social media, interviews, and media coverage. Nathaniel Starck, Executive Producer and Director at Flying Scoop, noted, 'Our goal is to adapt the book with integrity — to show the beauty of Lauren and Jay's journey, as well as the tragedy of their loss.' This approach underscores the project's significance as more than a true crime tale, instead highlighting themes of connection and risk.
The impact of this news extends to the publishing and film industries, showcasing how narrative nonfiction can bridge to visual media. Flying Scoop, known for producing content for networks like National Geographic and Discovery, brings expertise in story-driven projects. The book has garnered praise for its sensitive storytelling, compared to works like Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild,' suggesting potential for a resonant film adaptation that could spark discussions on global travel safety and human resilience.
For readers and viewers, this story serves as a poignant reminder of the risks and rewards of pursuing dreams in an unpredictable world. By optioning the rights, Flying Scoop commits to preserving the emotional depth of Hazelgrove's work, which draws from the couple's own writings. More information on the author is available at www.williamhazelgrove.com. The project highlights the enduring power of true stories to inspire reflection on love, violence, and the human spirit.
