Acclaimed novelist and historian William Elliott Hazelgrove will release 'Evil on the Roof of the World' on November 13, 2025, through Bloomsbury Academic. The book recounts the true story of Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin, two Americans who left well-paying Washington jobs to bicycle across continents before being killed by ISIS terrorists in Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains in 2018.
Drawing from the couple's personal blog at www.williamhazelgrove.com, their own writings, and extensive interviews with friends and family, Hazelgrove creates a vivid portrait of idealistic travelers. Their journey included cycling through Africa, Europe, and Central Asia, facing challenges ranging from close encounters with elephants to bureaucratic suspicion and grueling crashes.
The narrative culminates in the Pamir Mountains, known as the 'Roof of the World,' where Geoghegan and Austin's dream of global adventure collided with radicalized young men determined to make them martyrs. Publishers Weekly notes that 'Hazelgrove's prose lets the facts of the case carry the narrative forward,' creating what the publication describes as a 'chilling true crime tale' that leaves readers 'aghast.'
Doug Kari, author of 'The Berman Murders,' compares Hazelgrove's account to Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild,' calling it a 'gripping account' that chronicles 'Jay and Lauren's epic journey toward an encounter with terrorists who decide that slaughtering these youthful seekers will serve ISIS's cause.' Bestselling author Cory Mortensen describes the book as 'a sobering, gut-punch reminder that even the boldest dreams aren't safe from the darkness we pretend doesn't exist.'
The book's importance extends beyond true crime storytelling to broader questions about adventure tourism, global security, and the intersection of idealism with geopolitical realities. As travelers increasingly seek remote destinations and transformative experiences, 'Evil on the Roof of the World' serves as a cautionary tale about the risks that can accompany such pursuits in politically unstable regions.
For the publishing industry, the book represents a significant addition to narrative nonfiction that blends investigative reporting with literary storytelling. Hazelgrove, a National Bestselling author of ten novels and twelve nonfiction titles, brings both historical perspective and novelistic skill to the project. His previous works have received starred reviews in Publisher Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist, and have been featured by major media outlets including The New York Times, NPR's All Things Considered, and USA Today.
The release comes as true crime and adventure narratives continue to dominate nonfiction markets, with readers seeking both thrilling stories and deeper understanding of complex global events. By documenting this specific tragedy while exploring broader themes of risk, idealism, and global violence, Hazelgrove's work contributes to ongoing conversations about how individuals navigate an increasingly interconnected yet dangerous world.
