True Detective: Achievement guide

Hint sheet to help you collect all 42 achievements...

Introduction/Achievement list

Okay, so this is more of a checklist than a detailed walkthrough, so you'll still need to figure out some of the how...this guide will help with the when and where ;)
Firstly, a list of all 42 achievements, from the Prologue to the End Credits:

1. Ring My Bell
   
2. Man Of Your Word
   
   
3. What Can You Tell Me About..Voodoo?
   
4. Don't Quit Your Day Job
   
5. I'm Bobbin, Are You My Mother?
   
6. Occam's Razor
   
7. These Violent Delights
   
8. He's Your Guy
   
9. Devil Incarnate
   
   
10. Not What It Looks Like
    
11. A Kind Ear
    
12. Egotistical
    
13. Repairman
    
14. Methinks He Doth Protest Too Much
    
15. Don't Bet On It
    
16. It's A Boy, Mrs. Walker, It's A Boy
    
17. Wrong Side Of The Tracks
    
    
18. Total Ash-hole
    
19. Bless You
    
20. Broadening Horizons
    
21. Supernatural
    
22. Totally Nuts
    
23. The Art Of Murder
    
24. Storyteller
    
25. Civic Duty
    
    
26. Flew The Coop
    
27. Bookworm
    
28. Jilted Lover
    
29. Mistaken Identity
    
30. Model Husband
    
    
31. Do Not Pass Go
    
32. I Forgot It Was There
    
33. Down Among The Dead Men
    
34. Nosy
    
35. Thorough
    
36. Getting The Jump
    
37. Perfect Run
    
38. Inside Joke
    
39. Enlightened
    
    
40. Dead End
    
41. Room With A View
    
42. True Detective

*Important notes*

...and now, some important notes on some of the trickier achievements...


Whodunnit?
After finding all evidence within a case, save the game right before accusing one of the suspects...then simply reload and choose another until you have all achievements for the case.


Perfect Run: You'll have to correctly solve every case for this one, which means...




...you can't get Dead End (Declare a case unsolvable) in the same playthrough as "Perfect Run" (unless you're okay with backtracking to an earlier save)...


...also, going for Room With A View (Declare TWO cases unsolvable) will end the game before "Model Husband", along with almost all of the achievements that unlock after that point (unless you want to get this alternate ending first, then reload an early save-point, but that's a LOT of backtracking) :(
I recommend getting these two achievements in a separate play (also, "What Can You Tell Me About...Voodoo?", "Total Ash-hole", and "I Forgot It Was There" are easier to pick up while going for Room With A View, if you would prefer to get them that way) ;)

Read the Unsolvable: Dead End/Room With A View section for a mini-walkthrough.



Nosy: Throughout the game, you'll come across several people chatting to each other. Stand near them and listen to their conversations until they start repeating general nonsense (Blah blah blah)...the achievement will pop after you have listened to them all :)



Storyteller: I think this one is unmissable...unless you fail a case before that point...?
Just solve them all correctly anyway!




Bookworm: Keep an eye out for books! Find/read every single one.
I haven't included this one in the guide, but if you're going for all of the achievements, then you should already be clicking on EVERYTHING as you play anyway :P



Thorough: Find all 46 Clues and 36 Documents in the game!
I have made a checklist for each case to help you find them all.




I Forgot It Was There: NEVER open your Casebook during the whole game!
If you accidentally click on it, reload an earlier save.
NOTE: You NEED to use the Casebook to read police reports and complete Case 5...so you have to get one of the bad endings for this achievement.

See the Case 5: The Justice Killer section below for details...




Inside Joke: You'll get this one in the very LAST scene of the game...but ONLY if you prank Bill in the very FIRST scene of the game! Speaking of which, let's get started...

Prologue: Hanbrook Flower Shop

Inside Joke (Part 1 of 2): Play a prank on Bill in the very first line of the game...




Ring My Bell: Inside the shop, keep ringing the bell!




Man Of Your Word: After your "experiment", return the hook for the hanging plants (BEFORE talking to Bill about Surveillance).



Thorough (Checklist 1 of 6):
All 5 Clues in the Prologue are unmissable.

• Clue 1: Missing Lilies
  
• Clue 2: Points of Entry
  
• Clue 3: Window Gap
  
• Clue 4: Upstairs Window
  
• Clue 5: Experiment Results

Case 1: A premature inhumation

Nosy (Part 1 of 3): In the Rouen Coffee House (2 men at the table, 2 men by the bar).




What can you tell me about...voodoo?
Ask Sabine Martin for tea, look behind the Curtain while she's gone...then ask her about the Back Room.

NOTE: Since you'll no longer be welcome in her home, you should ask about the Back Room last (after asking about all the other subjects).


Don't quit your day job
In the DuPrée Manor, go to Madame DuPrée's room (upstairs, on the left) and read the Book on her desk.



I'm Bobbin, are you my mother?
On the Harpsichord (DuPrée Manor, upstairs, on the right), play 4 notes in this order:
High C, (then left to) F, G, Middle C.



Thorough (Checklist 2 of 6):

• Document 1 = Message From Upton: Addy gives you this at the start of the case.
  
• Clue 1 = Dr. Fellowes's Testimony: Just ask Dr. Fellowes about Madame DuPrée.
  
• Clue 2 = Tweezers: DuPrée Manor, upstairs, room on the right), on the Workstation.
  Clue 3 = Dr. Tennyson's Vigor Pills: (as above)
  Document 2 = Letter to Andrew: (as above)
  
• Document 3 = Landlady's Note: DuPrée Manor, upstairs, middle room. Check the Papers.
  
• Document 4 = Torn Letter: DuPrée Manor, upstairs, room on the left, in the Desk Drawer.
  
• Clue 4 = Home-made Vigor Pills: Check the Angel Statue in the tomb at the Cemetery.
  
• Clue 5 = Amelie's Testimony: After Andrew tells you about Jean, ask Amelie about him.
  Clue 6 = Bloody Whip: When Amelie mentions the book, find it in the Bookcase upstairs...
  
• Document 5 = Letter to Jean: Check the Cabinet in the Hunting Cabin.
  Clue 7 = Madame DuPrée's Cruelty: Tell Jean about the whip.
  
• Clue 8 = Juliette's Testimony: Tell Juliette about her letter to Jean.
  
• Document 6 = Guy's Note: After speaking with Jean, find the right crypt in the tomb.
  
• Document 7 = Guy's Confession: Speak to Guy after you find the "Secret Room".

Whodunnit?

Occam's razor - Albert Martin:

• Ask Albert about Juliette, go talk to Juliette about Albert, then go ask him about Madame DuPrèe.
  
• Ask Albert's mother about her Back Room (when you're done speaking with her).
  
• Ask Dr. Fellowes about the Poisoning.
  
• Find the Torn Letter in Madame DuPrèe's desk drawer.

These violent delights - Juliette Montgomery:

• After speaking to her, go ask Albert Martin about their Hatred of Duprèe.
• Find and read her experiment Notes...then ask her about them and the Letter To Jean.

He's your guy - Guy Dumas:

• Mention the whip when speaking to Jean, then ask about Guy and Celine.
• Find Guy's Note, ask Upton about it, then go speak to Guy.

Devil incarnate - Reveal Madame DuPrée's true nature:

• After speaking to Guy, find the Secret Room.
• Go back to get Guy's Confession, then tell Upton to acquit him.

Case 2: The purloined progeny

Not What It Looks Like
Check the Chest in Mrs. Davis' Quarters, then ask her about it.



A kind ear
After you join the Spectre Society, tell Angela Maxwell about Bill.



Nosy (Part 2 of 3): Same place as Case 1 ;)




Egotistical
Find Roland Deveraux and speak to him.

• Find the Torn Betting Stubs and Handwritten Letter in the Harris' bedroom.
• Ask Malcolm about the Betting Stubs...then when he leaves,
• ...ask Miriam about the Handwritten Note (before you go talk to Malcolm).
• Go home and ask Addy about Roland...
• ...then go to The Crimson Cat and speak to the Young Man.

Repairman
Fix the Boiler for Linda's neighbour without anyone else's help.

• Open 2 of the SMALL valves, then turn the STEAM valve to the right (just once).
  
• Open the 2 doors, open the FLUE, LIGHT the coal, then close the LEFT door.
  
• Wait a few seconds for the water to fully heat...then use the STARTER valve.

Thorough (Checklist 3 of 6):

• Document 1 = Message From Upton: Addy gives you this at the start of the case.
  
• Clue 1 = Loose Button: Check the Crib in the Nursery.
  Clue 2 = Torn Fabric: On the floor by the broken window.
  
• Document 2 = Letter from Arthur Devins: Harris' bedroom, in the Dresser.
  Document 3 = Handwritten Note: Search through the Clothes Pile.
  Clue 3 = Torn Betting Stubs: Look through the Coats and Jackets in the Wardrobe.
  
• Clue 4 = Mrs. Davis's Testimony: Ask her about the Time of Kidnapping.
  
• Clue 5 = Linda Walker's Tragic Past: Ask Angela Maxwell to help find a missing child.
  
• Clue 6 = LeFay's Testimony: Ask Chester LeFay about Harris's Debt.
  Clue 7 = Common Jacket: Ask him about the Torn Fabric.
  
• Clue 8 = Linda's Notes About Plants: Near the door inside Linda's apartment.
  Clue 9 = Linda Walker's Location: Search through the Trash Pile to find a Receipt.
  Clue 10 = Linda Walker's Journal: Check out the Wallpaper Bulge just above the pillow.
  
• Document 4 = Ransom Note: Tell Arthur Devins about the Kidnapping, then go back to Malcolm.

Whodunnit?

Methinks he doth protest too much - Arthur Devins:

• After questioning Arthur Devins, read the book on voodoo at the Spectre Society.
• Ask him about the Bones & Dust, as well as the Ransom Note.

Don't bet on it - Malcolm Harris: Find out about his debt, and his Torn Jacket...

• Get LeFay's Testimony and the "Common Jacket" clue.
• Find Malcolm's Torn Jacket in his Wardrobe and ask him about it.

It's a boy, Mrs. Walker, it's a boy - Linda Walker:

• Find Linda's Notes About Plants and Linda Walker's Journal in her apartment.
• Ask Mrs. Davis about her Drugged Tea.

Wrong side of the tracks
Find the Receipt in Linda's apartment before you accuse her.

Case 3: Burning desires

Total Ash-hole: Find the Letter From Jonas Usher, collect Desiree's Ashes, and show the ashes to the secretary at Usher & Price.
NOTE: Doing this will keep you from solving the case, so just load the last autosave point after you get the achievement.


Bless You
When talking to Jonas Usher about the Beneficiary, threaten to sneeze on him.




Broadening Horizons
Have Addy chat with Charlotte Robineaux about music.




Thorough (Checklist 4 of 6):

• Document 1 = Message From Upton: On the table by Addy.
  
• Clue 1 = Pewter Tankard: On a table at the Gascogne Supper Club.
  
• Document 2 = Half-written Article: Desiree's bedroom, in the Typewriter.
  Document 3 = Crumpled Letter # 1: In the Wastebin.
  Document 4 = Crumpled Letter # 2: (as above)
  Document 5 = Letter from Jonas Usher: Check the Nightstand.
  Clue 2 = Burned Cloth: Under the bed...
  Clue 3 = Desiree's Ashes: Use the Pewter Tankard to collect the ashes.
  
• Clue 4 = Angela Maxwell's Testimony: Ask her about Human Combustion.
  
• Document 6 = Coroner's Report - D. Lathan: Ask Dr. Edwards about the Ash Analysis.
  
• Clue 5 = Lathan's Changed Will: Get Jonas Usher to tell you about the Beneficiary.
  
• Clue 6 = Linseed Oil: Find this with the Supplies on the table at the University.

Whodunnit?


Supernatural
Ask Angela Maxwell about Human Combustion, and read the book about the subject in the Bookcase.


Totally nuts - Margaret Andrews:

• Speak to Margaret about her cat Tobias and about Desiree.
• Go ask Peter Andrews about Tobias.
• Ask Upton about Margaret.

The art of murder - Roger DeVay:

• Check the Portrait in Desiree's room.
• Find out about the Beneficiary from Jonas Usher.
• Have Addy ask Charlotte Robineaux about Roger DeVay.
• Question Roger Devay at the University, and take some of his Linseed Oil.
• Ask Herman at DeVay's Residence about Roger's Art.
• Test the Linseed Oil in the mortuary, then ask Dr. Edwards about it.

Storyteller: Tell Patrick at The Angel about a Brentwell story.





Civic duty: Simply vote in the election.

Case 4: The good man

Flew The Coop: Find and talk to the "Strange Man".

• Read the "Secret Customs of the Orient" book at Ronan's apartment.
• Tell the clerk at the taxidermy shop about Ronan, and ask about the Strange Man.
• Go ask the barmaid at The Silent Raven about Cormac, Darius, and the Strange Man.
• Go "ride the dragon" at the Opium Den, and ask Darius about the Strange Man.
• Go ask Cormac (at the Water Treatment Station) about the Strange Man...
• ...then go ask the barmaid about him again.
• Give Upton his description, then ask her about Harvey Presser.
• Go question Mrs. Presser...then go speak with Harvey.

Thorough (Checklist 5 of 6):

• Clue 1 = Photo of Ronan: Mrs. Morgan will give you this at the start of the case.
  
• Clue 2 = Small Gold Key: Ronan's apartment, inside the big green Mask with horns.
  Document 1 = Letter From Landlord 1: Check the Desk (on the left).
  Document 2 = Letter From Landlord 2: (as above)
  Document 3 = Letter From Emily: Check the Desk (on the right).
  Document 4 = Letter From Jimbo: In the Desk Drawer on the right.
  
• Clue 3 = Description of Strange Man: See the "Flew The Coop" walkthrough.
  
• Clue 4 = Post-Mortem Results: Ask Dr. Edwards about Ronan L'Espaye/Post-Mortem.
  
• Clue 5 = Cormac's Testimony: Ask Cormac about the Strange Man.
  
• Clue 6 = Pistol: Examine a Bolt on the Drain outside The Silent Raven. Go ask Cormac about it.
  
• Clue 7 = Darius's Testimony: Speak to Darius at the Opium Den.
  
• Document 5 = Letter To Ned: Inside the Chest at St. Denis Cathedral.
  
• Clue 8 = Effects of Opium: After asking Tom about opium, go ask Dr. Edwards about it.
  
• Document 6 = Letter From Priscilla: Ask Ned about his Correspondence, then check the Shelf.
  
• Document 7 = "Ned's" Letter: Move the Statue in Tom's sitting room.

Whodunnit?


Jilted Lover - James "Jimbo" Bogroff:

• Ask Darius about the Murder.
• Get the full Description of Strange Man.
• Find the Pistol and give it to Dr. Edwards.
• Find the Letter From Jimbo, and read the July 8th entries in Ronan's Journal.
• Speak to Jimbo.

Mistaken Identity - Tom Puffin:

• Read the Letter to Ned. Ask Tom about his Opium Use, and about Ned.
• Go ask Dr. Edwards about Opium Effects.
• Go see Ned, ask to see his Letter From Priscilla, read it, then ask him for Tom's Address.
• Find "Ned's" Letter.

Model Husband: After you go to The Angel, go tell Adelaide the truth (about Bill).

Case 5: The Justice Killer

Do Not Pass Go/I Forgot It Was There
Blame Upton when Snelling threatens to take you in for questioning.
If you have never used the Casebook during the game, you should also unlock I Forgot It Was There at this point.

NOTE: This will result in a "game over", so save before you talk with Upton about the sketches.


Down among the dead men
Speak to the barmaid, then tell Kurt his wife wants him to come home.
Go speak to his wife again, then go back to sing the drinking song with Kurt.



Nosy (Part 3 of 3): One in The Silent Raven, one at the Rouen Coffee House.





Thorough (Checklist 6 of 6):

• Document 1 = Police Report: Hannibal Kirkland: Get these from Upton when you start the case.
  Document 2 = Police Report: Reggie Willingham: (as above)
  Document 3 = Police Report: Ennis Bowditch: (as above)
  Document 4 = Police Report: Burley Cause: (as above)
  
• Clue 1 = Blank Paper: Get this one from Dr. Edwards (and check the Books while you're here)...
  
• Document 5 = Percival McDonaugh's Letter: Ask his wife about cryptography. Use her fireplace.
  Clue 2 = Mrs. McDonaugh's Testimony: Ask about Percival's Letter and the Abuse.
  
• Clue 3 = Linda Walker's Testimony: Go to Linda's trial at the courthouse.
  
• Clue 4 = Mrs. Williamson's Testimony: Speak to her again after getting her husband back home.
  
• Document 6 = Letter From The Reddites: Talk to the Ironworks foreman, then the Engineer...
  
• Clue 5 = List of Reddite Activity:...then go ask Snelling about the Reddites.
  
• Document 7 = Kirkland's Combination Reminder: Check his cabinet...ask the foreman about it.
  
• Clue 6 = Gilded Lily Advertisement: Inside Kirkland's Cabinet.
  
• Clue 7 = Rolled Up Paper: At The Gilded Lily, in the Locket on the Shrine.
  Clue 8 = Ruby's Testimony: Ask her about Reggie.
  Document 8 = Letter From Detectice Barnett: Inside Lily's special Box.
  Document 9 = Bloody Letter Page 1: Inside the secret compartment in Lily's Box.
  Document 10 = Bloody Letter Page 2: (as above)
  
• Clue 9 = Serving Girl's Testimony: Ask her about Bowditch's Violence.
  
• Document 11 = Collins Police Report Page 1: Tell Snelling all about Lily's Sister.
  Document 12 = Collins Police Report Page 2: (as above)

Getting The Jump
Ask the Dockmaster about Samuel Collins, say that he stole from a customer, then go to the address that the Dockmaster gives you...



Perfect Run
You should get this one with "Getting The Jump" if you solved every other case correctly.




Inside Joke
Play one last prank on Bill at his gravestone.


NOTE: You can only do this if you played the same prank on him in the first scene of the game.


Enlightened
Congratulations on finishing the game!

Unsolvable: Dead End/Room With A View

You need to fail 2 cases for Room With A View (which will pop up after you complete Case 4)...
...but this walkthrough will help you fail every case ;)

Case 1 - A premature inhumation

1. Go to the gaol, and go through all dialogue with Albert.
   
2. Go tell his mother the message, ask her for tea, look behind the curtain, ask about the room.
   
3. Go to University, ask Juliette about Madame DuPrée->her Relationship->Servants.
   
4. Go to the DuPrée manor, ask the doctor about Madame DuPrée and about her "death".
   
5. Go to the kitchen and ask Amelie about Madame DuPrée, tell her you're a detective.
   
6. Go upstairs to the room on the right, take the Piece of Paper in the book on the desk.
   
7. Go to Juliette's room (middle room), go through her Papers.
   
8. Go to Forest Lane, look at the Experiment Desk and read the Notes on the wall.
   
9. Go ask Juliette about Aethericity and her Experiments, tell her you found her spare key.
   
10. Go to the cemetery, tell the officer you want to go inside.
    
11. Go to the coffee house and tell Upton about the officer (Review Case).
    
12. Go home, ask Addy to help distract the officer...then take the pills from the statue in the tomb.
    
13. Go to the manor and tell Andrew about the pills, then threaten to tell the police.
    
14. Report to Upton and declare the case unsolvable.

Case 2 - The purloined progeny

1. In the Nursery, take the Button from the Crib, then head home.
   
2. The next day, go to the Harris' bedroom, check the Dresser and the coats in the Wardrobe.
   
3. Ask Miriam about the Kidnapping and Mrs. Davis...
   
4. ...ask Malcolm about the Betting Stub, then leave the house...
   
5. ...to go and ask Mrs. Davis about the Kidnapping/Button/Linda/Spectre Society.
   
6. Go to the Spectre Society, tell Angela you want to join, ask if she's joking and say she's insane.
   
7. Head back to the Harris house.
   
8. Report to Upton and declare the case unsolvable.

Case 3 - Burning desires

NOTE: I think you can only fail this case if you insulted Angela in Case 2...

1. Compliment Addy till Bill tells you to leave her alone, then head to Desiree's home.
   
2. After Snelling leaves, read the Letter, then ask Caine about Desiree.
   
3. Go get the Tankard at the supper club, then go to the Police Station.
   
4. Talk to Upton about "Officer Parsons" and put him on the gunshot case.
   
5. Go ask Caine about Desiree Lathan and the Crime Scene. Go to the bedroom...
   
6. Check the Typewriter, Wastebin, and Nightstand, then get Desiree's Ashes.
   
7. Head to Usher & Price, tell the secretary you want to see Usher, then show him the ashes.
   
8. Go ask Upton for Mortuary Access, then go give the ashes to Dr. Edwards.
   
9. Go through all dialogue with the woman at the supper club.
   
10. Go back to Dr. Edwards for the Ash Analysis, then go speak to Brentwell.
    
11. Report to Upton and declare the case unsolvable.

Case 4 - The good man

1. Go through all dialogue with the barmaid of The Silent Raven.
   
2. Go ask for Darius at the Opium Den, and let them know you're the law.
   
3. Go through all dialogue with Cormac in the Water Treatment Station.
   
4. Go through all dialogue with Mrs. Morgan at the Bakery, then go to Ronan's apartment.
   
5. Find the key in the big green Mask (with the horns), then unlock the Desk...
   
6. ...check in the Drawer on the right, then read the July 8th entries in the Journal.
   
7. Go to The Crimson Cat and go through all dialogue with the sailor.
   
8. Report to Mrs. Morgan and declare the case unsolvable.

True Detective

...and that's all of 'em! Time to celebrate with a Bowlingworth Ale down at The Angel ;)

[Ron]

I find it totally retarded when people come to a place like this where the guid would make the life of the reader easier, that the writer of this guide tries to save people who do not want to know the story, by making all the important clues black...this certainly makes it harder for the one that need anwsers harder.

[Assassinogor82]

Excuse me, but my version has just 41 chivos, there's no "True Detective" for getting every other one because I just got my last one missing: Nosy

[CSS]

I cant seem to get "Getting The Jump" I find the information about his name but nothing points me to the dock, I've spent amount of time looking into this, I cant find what's wrong

[Void]

Case 3 needs a warning: you cannot complete the case correctly if you compliment Addy as she won't help you.

[The Fat Bastid]

To unsolve case 4 you don't need step 3, talking to cormac

[KazikLec]

Ok, if I here already, I asked about "Down among the dead men" achievement. So, I talked with barmaid, I ask her about bar policy, I speak with Kurt. My only option is to give him relationship advice about honesty (I told Adelaide about Bill). When I cut the conversation and talk with his wife again, she just tell me to get to work. Any tips?

[KazikLec]

Impressive work! Good planing on section with content without accidental spoilers.

"Storyteller: I think this one is unmissable..."
No, it can be missed. I believe you have to talk with Adelaide about the story she read recently (this option shows up in Case 3, if I remember correctly? When she is still mad about our drunk trip). During my second playtrought I didn't talk with her (neither visit publisher) and Miles didn't start the story, the option Adeilaide/Upton showed up very early.

About "Unsolvable" section, I have good news for speedruners: you don't have to blocked routes with witnesses to declare case unsolvable. As long as you get one suspect, you can wrap up case without point out the culprit (even if you get who is the real culprit). If you mention this in this guide, then I sorry, I couldn't find info about this.

[zyzz]

Playing through again -- not sure if this is a bug but I believe you have to check out the window/fire escape before the latch and window gap in order to get the Upstairs Window clue.

[zyzz]

I think Upstairs Window in the prologue might be missable. I got Experiment Results before that one and then it was basically the cutscene.

[android_mac_10]

@Hiroshi Mishima - Ah, thanks for that! I have added the part I missed (about Andrew) into the guide (in the Case 1 section) :)
...and yeah, you make a good point about people getting stuck (with the Casebook), so I added an extra note on that achievement in the *Important notes* section ;)