From HintWiki

General Hints

• If you need help, you can turn on the Hints option in the setup menu. When this option is turned on, Michael will share his feelings about what is going on and what to do next.
• If you're not sure what to do next, try revisiting the rooms of the house and the objects inside it. You may find that something has changed.
• Call Jerry often, even if you think you're making a nuisance of yourself. He knows a lot about the house and the area, and can offer insight into things you've discovered or have questions about.
• Check the mailbox at the front gate, to see whether you've received any mail.
• There's only one working clock in the whole house: the grandfather clock by the front door. As you make progress, time advances. That is, if the clock says that it is currently 9:00 a.m., you'll have to perform certain actions for it to advance to 10:00 a.m.
• Some things are on top of other things. For instance, a drawer might contain a book lying on top of a letter. You might be able to pick up the book, the letter, or both. In the latter case, there are two adjacent hotspots, but this can be hard to notice.