If your direct questions scare them off during the interview, maybe you are better off not working there?

Thinking back to your bad work experiences, was there anything in the interview process or early indication that things were going to go south?

It really is hard to tell what a place is like until you are there. I had one interview where I almost didn't take the job because I disliked the person who would be my boss -- and he turned out to be my favorite boss ever.

Good luck with your job search!