Winds of Blame is told from the perspective of eighteen-year-old Isabel Doane, the oldest daughter of Harvey Doane. Acts of mental and physical abuse by Isabel's father toward her mother and her siblings are seen through her eyes, and the family's reactions to these are rationalized from her point of view. Isabel is a strong character and her independence sometimes creates problems for her. She is frequently caught between her wishes and strict community codes or family obligations. She risks her father's wrath to attend the wedding of her mentor and teacher, but obediently returns home when he catches her. She risks community criticism by riding unchaperoned in a car with a man, but gives in to pressure from family and friends to break off the relationship. She wants to attend college, but feels that her mother and younger siblings need her at home...