'True Detective' Season 2 Synopses Reveal 'Book of the Dead'

True Detective Season 2 has managed to keep much of its core story under wraps, but with a June 21 premiere looming just one week after Game of Thrones’ Season 5 finale, HBO has uncovered several new spoilery descriptions of the next case. Find out who opens the “Western Book of the Dead” with the first synopses for True Detective Season 2 episodes!

In addition to the below episode descriptions, True Detective Season 2 also released an over-arching synopsis to the season that confirms most of the reported guest stars, even adding a few. Joining the cast in support roles will be W. Earl Brown of Deadwood (and AMC’s Preacher), as well as Treme star David Morse.

So reads HBO’s first two episode synopses for True Detective Season 2:

Episode #9 (season 2, episode 1): “The Western Book of the Dead”
Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Justin Lin.
Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
The disappearance of a city manager disrupts a lucrative land scheme and ignites an investigation involving three police officers and a career criminal who is moving into legitimate business.
Episode #10 (season 2, episode 2): “Night Finds You”
Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Justin Lin.
Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 28 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

As well as HBO’s full synopsis for the season:

A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California when TRUE DETECTIVE returns for its eight-episode second season SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other episodes debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time, exclusively on HBO.
Colin Farrell (Golden Globe winner for “In Bruges”) plays Ray Velcoro, a troubled detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him. Vince Vaughn (“Wedding Crashers”) portrays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner. Rachel McAdams (“Midnight in Paris”) plays Ani Bezzerides, a sheriff’s detective whose uncompromising ethics put her at odds with others and the system she serves. Taylor Kitsch (HBO’s “The Normal Heart”) portrays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and a highway patrol motorcycle officer, running from a difficult past and the sudden glare of a scandal that never happened.
The cast also includes Kelly Reilly (“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”) as Jordan Semyon, Frank’s wife, a former D-list actress who is a full partner in his enterprises and ambitions; Christopher James Baker (“Gotham”) as Blake Churchman; Afemo Omilami (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”) as Police Chief Holloway; Chris Kerson (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) as Nails; and James Frain (HBO’s “True Blood”) as Lt. Kevin Burris.
Among the guest stars this season are Lolita Davidovich (“Raising Cain”), W. Earl Brown (HBO’s “Deadwood”), David Morse (HBO’s “Treme”) and Rick Springfield (“Hard to Hold”).