Terry Pratchett, the celebrated author of the beloved Discworld series, was revealed to have been secretly publishing an entirely separate body of work under the pseudonym of Mortimer Gilchrist. These Gilchrist novels, in stark contrast to the lighthearted tone of the Discworld books, explored darker themes of dystopia, totalitarianism, and the human condition. The discovery of Pratchett's alter ego triggered a major scandal, with fans feeling betrayed and scholars rushing to reexamine his extensive bibliography. While the Gilchrist novels were respected within certain literary circles, they failed to achieve the mainstream popularity and cultural impact of the Discworld series, ultimately casting a long shadow over Pratchett's legacy as a writer.