In The Crossing by Adrian Cox, Mary Patterson is waiting for a ride that would take her as far from Perth as possible. Mary is hoping to escape the shadows of a painful past. David stops and offers Mary a lift to Adelaide, but because she is confused between the past and present, she does not recognize him. David was offered a job at the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide and has planned this trip for a long time. David secured an apartment in Adelaide and wanted to bring Mary with him. David hopes that this will give them both a chance at happiness. It was difficult for Mary to stay in the present, as her mind continually returned to her past. David wondered whether he could truly protect Mary and give her a chance to put her past behind her.

The Crossing by Adrian Cox had me hooked from start to end. The story was fast-paced but left me enough time to process everything at my own pace. The action starts as soon as Mary cannot distinguish between the past and the present. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. The writing style was engaging, and I was soon drawn into David and Mary’s journey to Adelaide. The characters were excellently developed and relatable. Mary was my favorite. I had sympathy for her past and how she was dealing with the present. The book was brilliantly written and had me guessing until the very end. This was a complex and intriguing read, and I never knew what to expect next.

The Crossing by Adrian Cox is a psychological road novel set in the Australian Nullarbor. The story follows Mary, a young woman hitching westward in a red polka dot dress, who accepts a ride from David, a man determined to take her to Adelaide and begin a new life together. The narrative alternates between Mary’s and David’s perspectives, gradually revealing that Mary suffers from severe memory disruption and lives with trauma rooted in her past. As they drive across endless highways, Mary repeatedly experiences moments of wonder and fear, sensing both freedom and danger in the open land. David, meanwhile, is deeply invested in protecting her, administering medication, managing her episodes, and shaping the journey to keep her safe. Their fragile equilibrium shifts when they pick up James, an American Vietnam veteran whose presence triggers buried memories and growing unease in Mary.

Adrian Cox’s writing style is atmospheric, using close interior narration to place readers directly inside Mary’s shifting perceptions. Short chapters and alternating viewpoints create a forward momentum while steadily building the psychological tension. The pacing mirrors the road, with long stretches of calm punctuated by moments of disorientation and urgency. Descriptions of the landscape are sparse but effective, reinforcing the setting's isolation without overwhelming the characters’ inner lives. Dialogue is understated and often carries a double meaning, particularly in David’s careful reassurances and Mary’s simple, searching questions. The novel will appeal to readers drawn to stories that examine trauma through subtle behavioral cues rather than exposition, as well as to those interested in how love, fear, and intention can coexist uneasily. The Crossing invites close reading, rewarding readers' attention to small shifts in language and perspective. It leaves a lingering impression through its quiet intensity and human focus.