FAQ: William Elliott Hazelgrove's 'Evil on the Roof of the World' - The True Story of the ISIS Murders That Shocked America

What is ‘Evil on the Roof of the World’ about?

The book reveals the full, untold story of the 2018 ISIS murders of American cyclists Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin in Tajikistan, exploring who they really were and how their global cycling journey ended in tragedy on the Pamir Highway.

Who were Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin?

They were two young American cyclists who left Washington, D.C. to bike the world on a journey of wonder and discovery, but were murdered by ISIS radicals in Tajikistan in 2018.

When and where did the tragic events occur?

The murders occurred in 2018 on a remote highway in Tajikistan, specifically on the Pamir Highway, which is known as the ‘roof of the world.’

What sources did William Elliott Hazelgrove use for his research?

Hazelgrove drew on the couple’s journals, blog posts, and extensive interviews with their friends and families to create this comprehensive account.

How have literary publications reviewed this book?

Booklist calls it ‘a story of searching humanity’ and compares it to Jon Krakauer’s ‘Into the Wild,’ while Publishers Weekly describes it as a ‘chilling true crime tale’ with utilitarian prose that lets the facts carry the narrative.

When will the book be published and by which publisher?

The book will be published in November 2025 by Bloomsbury Academic, featuring 296 pages in hardcover format for $27, with both hardcover and eBook versions available.

Who is William Elliott Hazelgrove and what is his background?

Hazelgrove is a National Bestselling author of ten novels and twelve nonfiction titles, known for works like ‘Hemingway’s Attic’ and ‘Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson,’ and was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence.

What aspects of the couple’s journey does the book explore?

The book illuminates the beauty and peril of their global journey, from encounters with elephants in Africa to suspicion and hardship across Europe and Central Asia, revealing what drove them to leave their lives behind.

How can media or reviewers obtain copies of the book?

For review copies or media inquiries, contact Meghan McDonagh at Bloomsbury Academic via email at [email protected].

Why is this story significant beyond just being a true crime account?

The story symbolizes the collision between youthful idealism and violent extremism, representing how a couple searching for something bigger than everyday life became victims of an ideological war that shocked the world.