A journalist before turning full-time writer, at the start of his career as a graduate trainee on Thomson Regional Newspapers' "Hemel Hempstead Evening Post-Echo", Holden covered the trial in St Albans of the psychopathic poisoner, Graham Young. His book on the case, "The St. Albans Poisoner" (1974), was filmed as "The Young Poisoner's Handbook" (1995). Named Young Journalist of the Year in 1972, he was on the staff of "The Sunday Times" (1973–79), commended in the British Press Awards in 1976 as News Reporter of the Year for his work in Northern Ireland, and winning Columnist of the Year in 1977. He was Washington Correspondent and US editor of "The Observer" (1979–81), Assistant Editor of "The Times" (1981–82), Executive Editor, "Today", (1985–86), and chief classical music critic of "The Observer" (2002–08).