I really liked his Into the Wild (another book title starting with "into" and ending in death), and I can well believe he writes this story compellingly.

That thing about pinning blame on people for making mistakes--yeah, like somehow tiny failings make you worthy of death! But I think you're right that it's a self-protective thing. I think it's linked to the instinct that makes you yell at the screen in a horror movie, "Don't split up!" or "Take off those high-heeled shoes" or whatever.