HBO has at last revealed the official synopsis for the second season of "True Detective," along with the titles of the first two episodes. The arrive on the heels of a pair of new promo spots.

Creator Nic Pizzolatto confirmed last month that the new season of the acclaimed crime anthology series wouldn't focus on "the secret occult history of the United States transportation system," as initially announced. So what is it about, specifically? Here's the description:

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.

Here are the titles of the first two episodes, both written by Pizzolatto and directed by Justin Lin: "The Western Book of the Dead" (June 21); and "Night Finds You" (June 29).

The cast of "True Detective" also includes Kelly Reilly, Christopher James Baker, Afemo Omilami, Chris Kerson and James Frain, with guest stars Lolita Davidovich, W. Earl Brown, David Morse and Rick Springfield.