The 2018 murders of American cyclists Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin by ISIS radicals on a remote highway in Tajikistan captured international attention, symbolizing a collision between youthful idealism and violent extremism. Bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove reveals the complete, untold story in his upcoming book 'Evil on the Roof of the World,' scheduled for publication by Bloomsbury Academic in November 2025.
Drawing extensively from the couple's personal journals, blog posts, and interviews with their friends and families, Hazelgrove moves beyond the headlines to explore who Geoghegan and Austin truly were. The book examines what motivated them to leave Washington, D.C., to bicycle across the world, and how their journey of discovery ended in tragedy on the Pamir Highway, known as the 'roof of the world.'
Booklist has described the work as 'a story of searching humanity,' praising Hazelgrove's portrait of 'a couple in search of something bigger than the everyday, who became victims of an ideological war.' Reviewer Jeff Connelly noted that fans of Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild' would appreciate this narrative. Publishers Weekly called it a 'chilling true crime tale,' highlighting Hazelgrove's 'utilitarian prose' that lets the facts drive the narrative forward, and concluded that 'readers will be aghast.' The review also notes the book illuminates both the beauty and peril of the couple's global journey, from encounters with elephants in Africa to suspicion and hardship across Europe and Central Asia.
Hazelgrove, a novelist and historian known for works like 'Hemingway's Attic' and 'Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson,' applies his narrative depth to this story that captivated the world. The book, a 296-page hardcover priced at $27 (ISBN 9798881800383), with an eBook edition available (ISBN 9798881800390), seeks to provide a definitive account of the events. More information about the author can be found at https://www.williamhazelgrove.com.
This story matters because it transforms a shocking headline into a deeper examination of human aspiration, global travel risks, and ideological violence. For readers, it offers a nuanced understanding of a tragedy that resonated worldwide, while for the publishing industry, it represents a significant work of narrative nonfiction that bridges true crime, travel writing, and biography. The book's release prompts reflection on the safety of international adventure, the enduring impact of terrorism, and the importance of remembering individual stories within global events.
